It’s past time to induct the Dylan, Harrison, Orbison, Petty, Lynne supergroup
By Clayton “Tiger” Hulin, Photo from the Traveling Wilburys
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has honored the biggest names in music, and for good reason. It celebrates influence, craft, and legacy. Which makes it all the more curious that one of the most joyful and organic collaborations in rock history, the Traveling Wilburys, hasn’t made the list.
It’s not like the credentials aren’t there. Every member of the Wilburys is already in the Hall, just not together. Bob Dylan? Inducted. George Harrison? Twice. Roy Orbison? Absolutely. Tom Petty? Of course. Jeff Lynne? In with ELO. That’s five Hall of Famers, five different careers, one band that brought them all together, and somehow, that band hasn’t been inducted.
A Laid-Back Supergroup That Worked
The Traveling Wilburys didn’t start with a marketing plan. They started with a B-side. A one-off. A jam session that turned into something too good to ignore. “Handle With Care” was supposed to be filler. Instead, it became the spark.
Unlike most supergroups, the Wilburys weren’t trying to impress anyone. They were having fun. Trading verses. Writing songs over coffee. The egos stayed parked, and the music flowed.
The result? Two albums that still hold up. Songs that feel lived-in, loose, and surprisingly timeless. You can hear the camaraderie in every chorus.
Who They Were (As If You Didn’t Know)
Bob Dylan
Inducted in 1988. One of the most important songwriters of all time. Brought edge and wit to the Wilburys’ sound.
George Harrison
Inducted with The Beatles in 1988 and solo in 2004. The quiet Beatle with the sharpest musical instincts.
Roy Orbison
Inducted in 1987. That voice. That emotion. A rock pioneer who gave the Wilburys a ghostly grandeur.
Tom Petty
Inducted in 2002 with the Heartbreakers. Effortless cool. Rock’s everyman with a golden ear for melody.
Jeff Lynne
Inducted in 2017 with ELO. The production wizard who helped hold it all together.
A Gentle Case for Recognition
This isn’t about correcting an injustice. It’s just about tipping the hat.
The Hall has honored many collaborative acts. Crosby, Stills and Nash. Cream. The E Street Band. The Wilburys belong in that conversation, not because they sold millions (though they did), but because they captured lightning in a bottle. Twice.
Their catalog may be small, but their impact is lasting. They showed that even rock legends can surprise you when they stop trying so hard.
Let’s Celebrate the Vibe
The Wilburys didn’t change the world. They didn’t set out to. They reminded us that music can be fun. That legends can laugh. That collaboration doesn’t have to be complicated.
That spirit alone is worth honoring.
So here’s to the Traveling Wilburys. Already legends, already honored, but still waiting for that one last nod.
Let’s give it to them.
