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Tuesday, April 5, 2022

"End of the Line" by The Traveling Wilburys

Song#:  3798
Date:  02/11/1989
Debut:  83
Peak:  63
Weeks:  9
Genre:  Folk-Rock


Pop Bits:  The first album by this supergroup of George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Roy Orbison, and Jeff Lynne would become a #3 hit. The all-star line up along with the LP's first single, the #2 Rock/#45 Pop/#30 AC "Handle with Care," attracted record buyers who made it into a triple-platinum seller. To keep momentum going, this second single was issued out. It would be another #2 hit at Rock and get to #28 AC, but it had difficulty at Pop where it stalled short of the halfway point. Although this song would be the last one to reach the Pop chart by the band, their first album would spawn two more Rock Top 10s.

ReduxReview:  This was another catchy track by the band that also seemed appropriate at the time of release (see below). Since "Handle with Care" didn't do all that great a Pop, it was highly doubtful this tune would do any better and indeed it didn't get far. Both songs should have done a lot better on the Pop chart, but the band's retro folk-rock sound just wasn't what the kids were listening to at the time. However, rock radio gave the band a home and plenty fans of the individual members along with those who dug their nostalgic vibe made the album a well-deserved hit. Their second album wasn't quite as good for me. I definitely missed Orbison's presence, but it was still a fun listen.

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  Double Shot!  1) Not long after "Handle with Care" was shaping up to be a hit, tragedy struck when Roy Oribison unexpectedly died of a heart attack on December 6, 1988.  Following his death, the band would get together to film a video for "End of the Line." Each member had a lead vocal part and when it came time for Orbison's verse, his guitar was featured in a rocking chair with a photo of the superstar nearby.  2) The remaining four Wilburys didn't toy with the idea of replacing Orbison. He was just too stellar of a presence and integral to the group. However, the quartet did go ahead with plans to make a second album. The oddly titled Traveling Wilburys, Vol. 3 would be released in the fall of 1990. While none of its singles would make the Pop chart, it did contain the #2 Rock hit "She's My Baby." The LP would top out at #11 and go gold. That would be it for the Wilburys. Each member went back to their respective careers and the two Wilbury albums would end up going out of print. However, in 2007 both albums along with bonus tracks and a DVD with a mini documentary and videos would be issued out as The Traveling Wilburys Collection. It would become a surprise #9 gold selling hit.

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