The Travelling Wilburys were billed as the biggest supergroup of all time for good reason. The band consisted of five masters of their craft. Former Beatle George Harrison and Electric Light Orchestra founder Jeff Lynne enlisted Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, and Roy Orbison to form the group in 1988. The group benefited from more than the legendary talent of its members. Their varied backgrounds led to a fleshed-out sound that made them a roots rock group for the ages.
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Talking about the varied talent that made up the group is all well and good. However, the proof is in the pudding. So, let’s look at four songs that prove the Traveling Wilburys are the greatest rock supergroup of all time.
“Tweeter and the Monkey Man”
“Tweeter and the Monkey Man” is a standout track from the group’s 1988 debut album Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1. It’s a story song about a couple of small-time crooks who get in over their heads. It’s packed with twists and turns with a wild reveal at the end.
Some believe that this track is a parody of Bruce Springsteen’s early story songs. Even if that’s true, it’s a great example of the band’s songwriting prowess and musical cohesion.
“7 Deadly Sins”
“7 Deadly Sins” appeared on the band’s 1990 sophomore album Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3 and is a testament to their range as musicians. Instead of the roots rock sound the band is best known for, this track sees them taking on a ‘50s doo-wop style tune. Complete with vintage instrumentation and more vocal harmonies than you could shake a stick at, “7 Deadly Sins” would have been a massive jukebox hit at the malt shops of yesteryear.
“Poor House”
Another cut from Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3, “Poor House” sees the group taking on a heavily country-leaning roots rock sound. “There was an obscure one Jeff and I did called ‘Poor House’ on the second record. That was one I wrote in about 10 minutes after the session had ended and everyone was leaving,” Tom Petty said of the song. “We laid the track down and me and Jeff did it all in two-part harmony on one mic,” he recalled.
“Rattled”
“Rattled” from the band’s debut album is a hard-driving rockabilly song. The track isn’t just a great example of the group’s range. It’s also a testament to their creativity. Drummer Jim Keltner played the shelves and contents of a refrigerator. “Jim started playing shelves and it sounded great,” Jeff Lynne recalled. “It sounded just like old springs. … It suited the track really well,” he added.
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