# In 1988, the Traveling Wilburys became a band of rock royalty, but they refused to add a king

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/in-1988-the-traveling-wilburys-became-a-band-of-rock-royalty-but-they-refused-to-add-a-king/
- Published: 2026-11-09T17:00:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-09T17:25:33+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/1988-the-traveling-wilburys-band-of-rock-royalty/
- Topics: Culture, Travel

## Key points

- The Wilburys considered adding Elvis through recordings.
- Harrison said Orbison could not be replaced.
- The second album was completed as a four-piece.

## Summary

The Traveling Wilburys considered using Elvis Presley’s recorded voice after Roy Orbison died, but the idea was dropped. George Harrison said the band could have rebuilt the backing track around Presley’s vocals, yet felt no one could replace Orbison.

The group completed its second album as a four-piece, with their close collaborators, the “Sideburys”, alongside them. Del Shannon had been discussed as a possible member but died before joining. The article says Presley’s estate had expressed interest in working with the band, but Harrison and Jeff Lynne did not pursue the proposal.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.