The guitarist who turned down The Traveling Wilburys: “I felt really bad”

Tom Petty’s guitarist Mike Campbell was invited to contribute to the Traveling Wilburys’ recording of “Handle With Care”, but felt his attempted solo did not suit the song. He handed his guitar to George Harrison, whose slide part became the finished solo, illustrating how the group’s collaborative approach depended on finding what best served the music.

Campbell recalled that Jeff Lynne had asked him to play something in the style of Eric Clapton, but he was unhappy with his effort and felt bad because Petty was trying to include him. Harrison’s slide playing rose above the song’s busy acoustic arrangement while fitting its vocal harmonies. Campbell later praised Harrison’s part as “a hundred times better” than his own.