1988 - October: The Traveling Wilburys "The Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1"

What the Riff?!?

A supergroup is a band made up of musicians who have already achieved fame either as soloists or members of another band. One of the most iconic of supergroups would be formed in 1988 and go by the name of The Traveling Wilburys. In 1987 George Harrison released his album "Cloud Nine" with Jeff Lynne performing a number of instruments and co-producing. They started talking about forming a group during those sessions, with Harrison talking about bringing in Bob Dylan and Lynne talking about bringing in Roy Orbison. Tom Petty joined in when Harrison went to his house to pick up a guitar he had left there previously. The criteria that Harrison had, according to fellow Wilbury Tom Petty, was a group of folks "who you could hang out with." The group bonded over their appreciation for 50's-style rock n' roll, and their love of the Monty Python comedy troupe.

The group took on personas of half-brothers, with George Harrison as Nelson Wilbury, Jeff Lynne as Otis Wilbury, Roy Orbison as Lefty Wilbury, Bob Dylan as Lucky Wilbury, and Tom Petty as Charlie T. Wilbury Jr. Frequent collaborator Jim Keltner provides percussion work and takes on the name of Buster Sidebury. The name Wilbury comes from a running joke between Lynne and Harrison. When some error in the equipment would occur during the production of Harrison's "Cloud Nine" album, Harrison said, “We'll bury 'em in the mix.”

The Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1 had to be done in 10 days, because Dylan and Orbison had upcoming tours and projects. Generally the writing and recording of a song was completed in a single day. The result was a commercial and critical success, and the album won the Grammy for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group in 1990.

Bruce presents this supergroup in today's podcast.

Margarita
This track starts with an 80's electronic feel, but quickly moves into a Bo Diddley beat that is more roots rock. A deeper cut, this song was released as the B-side to the single "Handle with Care."

Handle With Care
The big single went to number 45 on the Billboard Hot 100, and number 2 on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart. This song was the impetus to bringing the group together, as it was originally supposed to be an extra track for a B-side of a European single, but the result was deemed too good for a limited release.

Not Alone Any More
This deeper track finishes off side 1. It was written mainly by Otis Wilbury for the vocal style of Lefty Wilbury, although all members are credited as songwriters. The lyrics reflect themes of loneliness, which were Lefty's signature style back in the 60's.

End of the Line
This was the band's second single. It peaked at number 63 on the Billboard Hot 100, but number 2 on the Album Rock Tracks chart. Roy Orbison died of a heart attack at age 52 after recording the song but before the video was made. The video features a guitar sitting in a rocking chair in memorial to Orbison

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

Baby Doll by Devo (from the motion picture “Tape Heads”)
Despite sporting an all-star cast, this comedy movie bombed at the box office.

STAFF PICKS:

Big League by Tom Cochrane and Red Rider
Wayne starts off the staff picks with a bittersweet song. Cochrane tells a tale of a young hockey star destined for the pros until he lost his life in a car crash. It was inspired by a true story told to Cochrane by the boy's father. This song went to number 9 on the American Billboard Rock Tracks chart, and gets frequent airplay on classic rock radio stations in Canada.

Didn't Know It Was Love by Survivor
Rob's staff pick finds the singer looking back at a relationship he missed, and hoping it isn't too late. Survivor had their big splash a few years prior with “Eye of the Tiger,” and this is off their seventh album, “Too Hot to Sleep.” Unfortunately it barely made it onto the Billboard 200 album chart at 187, and the group broke up shortly thereafter.

Kokomo by The Beach Boys
Lynch brings us the first number 1 US hit for the Beach Boys since the 60's. The song was featured in the Tom Cruise movie “Cocktail,” and the song reflects a relaxed tropical vibe. This single reinvigorated the Beach Boys, as fans began to look at their catalogue again.

What's On Your Mind (Pure Energy) by Information Society
Bruce wraps up the staff picks with the signature song from a Minneapolis synth pop trio. This song started as a 10-minute instrumental jam, but received minimalist lyrics reflecting the trouble people have communicating for the single release. It also features sampled lyrics from Star Trek, particularly the repeated "pure energy" lyric from Leonard Nimoy's Mr. Spock.

COMEDY TRACK:

A Nightmare on My Street by DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince
This single reflects the Halloween vibe as Will Smith aka The Fresh Prince riffs on Freddy Kruger's horror in “A Nightmare on Elm Street.”

Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?”

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