The 1988 guitar solo Traveling Wilburys were told to erase: “I don’t think it’s great”

Mike Campbell turned down his guitar solo on the Traveling Wilburys’ “Handle With Care”, despite George Harrison and the others praising it. Campbell felt the song needed Harrison’s slide guitar instead, reflecting the band’s focus on what best served the music.

“Handle With Care” began as a possible B-side for Harrison and became a key track on the Wilburys’ debut album. Campbell, a guest musician, said he did not think his solo was right for the song and suggested Harrison play it; the article presents the decision as an example of Campbell avoiding the spotlight and putting the song first.