Trivia & Extras / FAQ

Traveling Wilburys FAQ

Did the Traveling Wilburys ever tour or play live?

No. Despite years of loose talk about it, the band never played a single public concert. Their entire visual legacy consists of five music videos and a short documentary. Read the full story of why they never toured.

Why is there no Traveling Wilburys Vol. 2?

The band's second album was deliberately titled Vol. 3, skipping a number as an inside joke: according to Jeff Lynne, George Harrison wanted to "confuse the buggers." See every theory behind the missing Vol. 2.

Are any of the Traveling Wilburys still alive?

Yes. Bob Dylan and Jeff Lynne are both still living. George Harrison died in 2001, Roy Orbison died in 1988, and Tom Petty died in 2017.

How did the band get its name?

"Wilbury" started as studio slang between George Harrison and Jeff Lynne during the Cloud Nine sessions, short for "we'll bury it in the mix," referring to small recording mistakes. Read the full mythology behind the name.

Who was the actual leader of the Traveling Wilburys?

George Harrison, by every account, including his own bandmates'. Tom Petty called him "the best bandleader I ever saw," and even Bob Dylan reportedly conceded the point. Read more on George Harrison's page.

Did the Traveling Wilburys win any awards?

Yes. Vol. 1 won the 1990 Grammy for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and was nominated for Album of the Year. Every individual member has separately been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, though the band itself never has been. See the full awards and legacy rundown.

Is there a Traveling Wilburys documentary?

Yes. The True History of the Traveling Wilburys is a roughly 24-minute film built largely from footage shot during the 1988 recording sessions, included on the DVD packaged with The Traveling Wilburys Collection.

Will the Traveling Wilburys ever reunite?

With three of the five original members now deceased, a reunion in the traditional sense isn't possible. Dylan and Lynne remain the only surviving members, and neither has indicated plans for new Wilburys material.

What's the difference between Vol. 1 and Vol. 3?

Vol. 1 (1988) features all five original members and is generally considered the stronger, more spontaneous record. Vol. 3 (1990) was recorded as a foursome following Roy Orbison's death and leans rowdier and more polished. Compare them directly on our Vol. 1 and Vol. 3 pages.

Was drummer Jim Keltner an official Traveling Wilbury?

Not officially. He played on both albums as a session musician, credited under the honorary alias "Buster Sidebury," but was never counted among the five core members. Meet Keltner and the other honorary Wilburys.

Have a question we haven't covered? Most of the deep-dive answers live in The Band and Members sections; start there.