The Spontaneous Birth of the Traveling Wilburys: A Supergroup’s Journey
Long after his remarkable solo career post-Beatles, George Harrison experienced a resurgence in popularity with the formation of the Traveling Wilburys. This iconic supergroup, which included legends like Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Roy Orbison, and Jeff Lynne, made waves in 1988 with their hit debut single, “Handle With Care.”
A Creative Comeback
In 1987, as Harrison was finalizing his eleventh studio album, Cloud Nine, anticipation was high for this release, marking his first album as 1982’s Gone Troppo. After stepping back from the music scene,Harrison had invested his time in the comedy world,particularly with the Monty Python troupe,whom he felt shared a creative spirit with the Beatles.
Despite his time away from the limelight, Cloud Nine was expected to showcase Harrison’s unique artistry. However, he had an additional task to complete.
From Idea to Execution
“In Europe, they often produce 12-inch singles that require an extra track,” Harrison shared in a 1990 interview with Countdown. “They requested an additional song, but I didn’t have anything ready.”
“The simplest solution was to head into the studio the next day, quickly write a song, record it, mix it, and deliver it.”
His straightforward plan took an exciting turn when he discussed it with Jeff Lynne over dinner.
“That evening, I was dining with Jeff Lynne, who was with Roy Orbison,” Harrison recounted. “I mentioned that I was going to find a studio the next day to create a tune. I asked Jeff if he wanted to join me.”
lynne, known for his innovative work with the Electric Light Orchestra, eagerly accepted the invitation.
Gathering the Team
“Roy Orbison chimed in, saying, ‘If you’re doing something, let me know. I’d love to come and watch,’” Harrison continued.
Next, they needed a studio and an engineer.
“I remembered that Bob Dylan had a small studio in his garage,” Harrison said. “So, I called him and asked if we could come by the next day.”
Dylan was more than willing to participate, and by the end of the day, they had their final member.
“I had to swing by Tom Petty’s place to grab my guitar, which was there,” Harrison explained. “He said, ‘Great! I’ll join you. I was just wondering what to do tomorrow.’”
Creating Magic in the Studio
“The following morning,I began writing a song and thought,’If roy Orbison is coming,it would be a waste to have him just sitting there. He’s a far superior vocalist than the rest of us,’” Harrison added. “So, I crafted a part specifically for Roy to sing, which Jeff found a bit cheeky!”
“If we could create that one song in a single day, we could easily finish an album in nine days.”
The song was polished in the studio, with Lynne taking the lead on its completion. The title, “Handle With Care,” was inspired by a label on a box in Dylan’s garage.
When the track was presented to Harrison’s label, Dark Horse, it was deemed too exceptional to be merely a B-side.The label proposed that this newly formed group should record an entire album, believing that with such talented songwriters, they could produce a collection of songs swiftly.
“If we managed to create that one song in a day, we could easily complete an album in nine days,” Harrison reiterated.
As the Traveling Wilburys evolved, so did their lineup. When Mike campbell, Petty’s guitarist, was brought in to lay down an electric guitar solo, he suggested that Harrison should record his own version rather.
Although Campbell’s solo remains unreleased, harrison’s slide guitar work, combined with the talents of the entire group, made “Handle With Care” an immediate hit, solidifying the Wilburys’ legacy as one of the most fortunate supergroups in music history.
