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In 1988, the Traveling Wilburys became a band of rock royalty, but they refused to add a king
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.
In short
- The Wilburys considered adding Elvis through recordings.
- Harrison said Orbison could not be replaced.
- The second album was completed as a four-piece.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Using Elvis Presley’s recorded voice could have honoured the Wilburys’ playful, collaborative spirit and created a distinctive tribute, especially with the estate interested and the remaining members able to reshape the music around his vocals. A recording would not have required presenting Presley as a personal replacement for Roy Orbison; it might instead have extended the group’s story while recognising Orbison’s irreplaceable contribution.
The case against
Declining the proposal respected the band’s identity and the distinctive place Orbison held in it: adding another famous voice risked making his death seem like a vacancy to be filled. Even a respectful use of Presley’s recording could have changed the character of the group and drawn attention away from completing the album on its own terms as a four-piece.
Explained simply
The Traveling Wilburys were a group formed in the late 1980s by five established musicians: George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne and Roy Orbison. Their first album brought together artists with long careers of their own, while a circle of friends and fellow musicians helped with recording and became known as the “Sideburys”.
Orbison died in December 1988, while the group was working on its second album. Del Shannon, another singer considered for the band, died the following year before he could join. Elvis Presley had been dead since 1977, but his estate could consider proposals involving recordings of his voice.