In 1988, Tom Petty joined the Traveling Wilburys. He immediately found the best songwriter

Tom Petty found that joining the Traveling Wilburys gave him a chance to learn from musicians he admired, especially Bob Dylan. Though the group began as a relaxed, informal project, Petty regarded its songwriting sessions as an education in how songs are shaped.

Petty said Dylan had an exceptional grasp of songwriting, refining lines and verses until a stronger picture emerged. The article describes George Harrison as sharing the band’s deep respect for Dylan, while Petty was seen as its less experienced member despite already having more than a decade of hits with the Heartbreakers. Roy Orbison’s death later disrupted the group.