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Traveling Wilburys' Jeff Lynne Discusses New Book, Rules Out Reunion

The Traveling Wilburys
For Jeff Lynne, one of the remaining survivors of '80s supergroup the Traveling Wilburys, releasing some of the band's candid photos publicly in the new limited-edition book, the aptly-titled 'The Traveling Wilburys,' was bittersweet.

"The main thing is a sense of loss of George [Harrison] and Roy [Orbison]," Lynne, 62, tells Spinner of looking at the photos. "Those were the two great losses to me personally because they were both great friends of mine, as well as being fantastic musicians and singers."

The Traveling Wilburys had arguably the best-known rock lineup in pop music history: Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, Electric Light Orchestra's Lynne, Orbison and Harrison. Fans who want one of the hardcover books should be willing to look around or pay at least £225 (around $340 US) for it: there are only 3,000 of them, and each is signed by Lynne.

Encased in a cloth box, the 144-page book has numerous colorful photos of the iconic band recording in a Beverly Hills mansion. Folded in are hand-glued note-like schedules, sketches, hand-written lyric sheets, cover artwork and interviews that shed light on the group's artistic process. "What didn't come across in the music was a sense of awe. I see Roy Oribson across the mic, and I go, 'This is really happening,'" Lynne says.

"Hopefully it brings out the diversity and the unity [of the band] all at once," Lynne says of the the book. "Everyone comes from such amazing different places and we all ended up as a unit, which was a very unusual thing." Lynne, a producer who worked on Harrison's final album and co-produced Petty's iconic 1989 LP, 'Full Moon Fever,' is credited with coining the group's name with Harrison, which started with the Beatle saying their instruments "will be buried" in the mix. Lynne added the "Traveling."

As for a 2010-era Wilburys reunion, don't count on it.

"We have never talked about it," Lynne says. "We look at that piece as a nice historic period, and I think it should stay that way. I love the memory of it. I loved doing it. It was some of the most fun I had in life, I would say. I would like to leave it at that and that book about sums it up."

Started over lunch at Dylan's house, the group began with a song that unexpectedly became a single, 'Handle With Care.' That blossomed into 1988's hit 'The Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1,' which sold three million copies and won Best Rock Group Performance Grammy in 1989. Orbison's death in December 1988 -- just months after the first album's release -- shook up the lineup, which released the 'The Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3' (the number is intentionally incorrect) in 1990.

The book's pictures, which include the band's only two photo shoots, show the Wilburys clowning around and hard at work. "We had a lot of people who enjoyed taking pictures," Lynne recalls. "Even George himself took a lot of footage and photographs, movies as well. There was a lot of coverage but not from an official source. Just whenever it happened, it happened."

Lynne credits the new book to Harrison's widow, Olivia, who he describes as "the keeper of all things Wilbury." Lynne wrote the book's foreword, talking about the group's start and recording process: "Sometimes I like to think about those days. It's the most fun you could have without getting in trouble."

In the digital download world 2010, when album artwork may not play a factor in a fan's musical experience, the Traveling Wilburys book is an anachronism, heavy on the handmade artistry feel, conjuring up the album experience of older decades. "No computers, all done by hand," the book's opening page reads.

Asked about his new preferences, Lynne says he is a fan of the Killers but didn't mention any other artists. He does reveal he's getting music tips from his daughters, Laura and Stephanie, and that never-ending source of new music, iTunes.

"Old music is the same as new music -- it's just a different way of delivering it. There is some that I like and some that I don't really know about yet," Lynne says. "If it's an ordinary song, it's still ordinary, however much [paint] you put on it or wrap around it. It's always been the same, really."

'The Traveling Wilburys' is available from Genesis Publications.

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malafleur

WELL, LAST NIGHT, MY DAUGHTER TOOK ME TO A LOVELY PLACE FOR MY BIRTHDAY..GUESS WHO WE MET AT THE BAR? JEFF LYNNE...AT MY ADVANCED AGE OF 72, I HAD NO IDEA WHO HE WAS. I SOON FOUND OUT, AND HE IS ADORABLE. HE BOUGHT OUR DRINK AND WAS A REAL GENTLEMAN AND HE COULDN'T BELIEVE I DIDN'T KNOW WHO HE IS..WELL AFTER A LITTLE RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, I'M IMPRESSED WITH THIS GUY AND WISH I'D BEEN A FAN MANY YEARS AGO..IT WAS A FUN EVENING..

December 27 2011 at 11:38 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
aspenplace

I am sorry to hear that they have ruled out a reunion/new album. Would like to see the Traveling Wilburys travel on through time, with new members periodically added, making new music with the same sense of relaxed joyous spontaneity. It is fun to think of who you might add: Eddie Vedder comes to mind. Bruce Springsteen. Newer musicians, too.

July 12 2011 at 1:54 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Lynnette \"Cicky\" Johansson

I got this fantastic book about Trav. Wil. I look forward to all five albums that Jeff is involved in.

December 02 2010 at 4:54 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Beach Holiday Guide

Excellent site, keep up the good work. I read a lot of blogs on a daily basis and for the most part, people lack substance but, I just wanted to make a quick comment to say I’m glad I found your blog.
Thanks
=====================
County Travelling

July 03 2010 at 8:23 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Cathy

Jeff Lynne, we can't wait for your new music to grace our ears & our hearts. I for one am foaming at the mouth waiting like a starving wolf for my next fix of "Jeff's Meaty Music". You have given a lot to a lot of people all over the world and for that we thank you. Your stuff is timeless, it's good, it's beautiful, it rocks and it always will. I had a dream recently that I met you and although it was one of the funniest dreams I ever had it was also one of the coolest because I was very excited to tell you how much your tunes have rocked my little corner of the world. Been a fan for over 32 years and still going. Can't wait to hear your new music and digest every note, harmony, beat & instrument thru the expensive earphones I just spent my life's savings on. Wish I could see your face, shake your hand, give you a hug but I'm sure 50 million people have already done so. Consider me another little voice in your big crowd of fans saying "Love you Jeff & thanks for the music".

May 25 2010 at 7:29 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Christin

I'm coming to the Jeff L game a little late, blame it on age or lack of. I can't believe I can hum She's My Baby for 2 weeks without the song getting tired lol The whole TW experience just seemed like they had the time of their lives and it was brilliant. How fortunate Jeff is, he seems to know he's living a wonderfully blessed life.

Good fortune to you my friend, Jeff Lynne. Your music makes you feel like a friend though we've never met. I hope to see you in concert someday.

April 22 2010 at 4:08 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Marta Rodriguez

Dear Jeff Lynne, you have changed my life forever. I cannot thank you enough. Because of you I am learning how to play guitar. I know is hard but your inspiration, videos, your ways of moving, singing, personality etc. etc. makes want to be like you. But of course I will never be like you. No one will. YOU ARE THE ONE, THE ONLY ONE.

I love you. Also, I want you to know that I am very in love with you. Nothing I can't do.

I will see if I can afford to buy the Collectors Edition.

Again. I love you and I wish I could meet you before my days are over.
I am the Ocean's daughter and I call your name. You are my Wild West Hero.

Thank you and keep up with the great work.
Sincerely,

Marta Rodriguez

April 22 2010 at 3:19 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Joanie

Thanks to lovely Olivia for keeping the flame burning brightly. Jeff's signing of the books certainly will help make money for one of George's charities. I do wish, though, a less costly version could be done so people like me could afford a copy.

Jeff changed my life: "Because of you, nothing will ever be the same . . . You are the One." He gave back the creative spark to George with "Cloud Nine," and breathed life into the last two true Beatle songs.... He has seen his dreams come true -- good for him, good for us.

My CD of "Armchair Theatre" was worn out before I could save it onto my Mac, so Jeffy, love of my life, I'm waiting impatiently for your next great solo work. xoxoxo

April 08 2010 at 4:02 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Lynnette \"Cicky\" Johansson

I really do so look forward to Jeff Lynnes NEW solo album. By the way, I got the Trav. Wil. book. It's great! Love you Jeff.

April 07 2010 at 2:09 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Brian King

Had been looking for this music all my life...harrison,orbison,lengendary heroes..both..petty.dylan.lynn....heroes all...

April 02 2010 at 9:48 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply