Three 1980s supergroups that were fantastic (and one that should have been)

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As a die-hard fan of classic rock and roll, I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing some remarkable supergroups gracing our stages and airwaves over the years. But among all the talented ensembles, none has managed to capture my heart quite like the Traveling Wilburys. This fantastic five-piece, a dream team if ever there was one, left an indelible mark on the music industry with their unique blend of styles and unparalleled star power.

Delving into the musical tapestry of the 80s, I found myself captivated by some remarkable supergroups that rivaled the great bands of yesteryears. A handful of these ensembles had the makings of a top act, but unfortunately, they didn’t quite meet the criteria I’ve been employing.

It’s best if most of the musicians in the new group have already established their own musical careers, ideally by releasing an album, to avoid temporary collaborations that result in just a few live performances. To further legitimize their status as a supergroup, they should also embark on a tour together.

In my opinion, the 1980s were an era where Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds weren’t yet at their peak popularity, despite Nick Cave being well-known. Conversely, Deep End, which had Pete Townsend and David Gilmour, primarily released live albums from their charity performances, but didn’t put out a studio album.

Three top 1980s supergroups and a near miss on the best ever

The Highwaymen

The Highwaymen were an impressive quartet of country music legends who teamed up. John Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson came together to create an unquestionable country supergroup. Not only did they each maintain their successful solo careers, but they also undeniably met the criteria for being a supergroup.

Apart from collaborating on various projects, they even joined forces for a movie titled “Stagecoach” in 1986, which contributed to the intervals between their album releases. Interestingly, it took them a few years to establish the band name The Highwaymen, initially performing under their individual names. However, the official band name wasn’t used until their third album in 1995, although this development was not entirely unexpected.

The group produced three albums over time, with their debut, titled “Highwaymen,” being released in 1985 and achieving platinum status in the U.S. This album reached the top spot on the Country charts, just like its namesake single. It took them five years to release the sequel, “Highwaymen 2,” in 1990, which also went platinum and peaked at number four on the same charts. After another five-year wait came their third album, “The Road Goes On Forever,” in 1995. While it didn’t match the success of its predecessors, it still managed to rank at number 47 on the U.S. country album charts.

This quartet of renowned country artists harmonized exceptionally well as a band. Their albums exhibit excellent quality country music, and their live performances were nothing short of spectacular. From all reports, these four musicians seemed to genuinely enjoy collaborating together. Remarkably, this supergroup appeared free from the typical strains that often dismantle similar bands.

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The Firm

Back in 1984, when I joined The Firm, we were initially a quartet. Legends like Jimmy Page on the guitar, Paul Rodgers of Free and Bad Company fame on vocals, Chris Slade, an accomplished drummer who’d been with Manfred Mann’s Earthband since day one, and myself, Tony Franklin, on bass. This was my breakthrough band, a chance to make some serious noise in the music world.

What I meant is that my statement doesn’t intend to belittle the last two individuals mentioned. Instead, it focuses on where the truly exceptional elements and famous names originated. Page and Rodgers were already established stars before they teamed up, following the disbandment of Led Zeppelin and Bad Company. Slade was well-respected within the music industry, and he collaborated with many renowned artists and bands later on with Franklin.

Despite having the potential to become quite famous, the band appeared to be undervalued during their initial phase and has been somewhat overlooked since then. They released two albums: a self-titled debut in 1985 and Mean Business in 1986. Their debut album was a top 20 hit in both the US and UK, while its successor, although not as successful, still managed to reach number 22 on the US charts and number 46 on the UK charts.

Achieved greater success were the individual songs that were released. Notably, “Radioactive” and “All The Kings Horses” topped the US Rock charts. Out of the four singles, only “Radioactive” managed to rank in the UK, albeit at a relatively low position of 76. In commercial terms.

For three years, the Band undertook tours that took them to the UK, Europe, and the United States on various occasions. They spent more time performing for U.S. audiences due to stronger sales there, although these sales were not as large as might have been anticipated for a band featuring those two prominent members. Unfortunately, the group disbanded following their tour in 1986, with Rodgers stating that the original plan was only for two albums.

Perhaps the timing just wasn’t ideal, but these two albums are outstanding and worth giving a listen. The band has a funkier edge than you might anticipate, yet they still deliver solid rock tunes. They showcase fantastic guitar riffs and Rogers’ voice is as excellent as ever. While they didn’t revisit any of their old band’s songs, the debut album features an enticing rendition of “You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling” by The Righteous Brothers.

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Asia

1981 saw the formation of the band Asia, which united four prominent progressive rock musicians. This powerhouse group included John Wetton, formerly of King Crimson and Uriah Heep, handling bass and vocals; Steve Howe and Geoff Downes, both from Yes, on guitar and keyboards respectively; and Carl Palmer, previously with Emerson Lake and Palmer, on drums. What a formidable lineup!

Asia, one of the longest-lasting and most financially successful supergroups in music, has managed to sell over six million albums worldwide. Their self-titled debut album alone accounted for four million of those sales, making it four times platinum in the United States. Additionally, it received numerous gold and silver discs internationally. The album peaked at number one on the US charts and its hit single “Heat of the Moment” was a clear reflection of their AOR sound with progressive rock undertones, also selling exceptionally well.

The second album titled “Alpha” garnered sales accolades, including platinum status in the U.S., among other achievements. Despite not surpassing the sales of their debut album, it was their most successful release to date. Yet, this wasn’t entirely satisfying for some band members, which brings into question their long-term sustainability. Whether a band continues playing after several original members have departed can influence one’s perspective on their longevity.

Following Alpha‘s commercial performance falling short compared to Asia, Wetton decided to leave and was temporarily filled by Greg Lake. Later, there were attempts to replace him with studio substitutes such as David Gilmour for a brief period. However, Wetton returned in 1984 under the condition that Howe would depart. The group saw numerous members coming and going over the subsequent years, forming a cycle of arrivals and departures.

The original members of the band got back together from 2006 to 2013. However, a different version of the band toured this past summer with only Downes remaining from the original lineup. Sadly, Wetton passed away in 2017, so there will be no more reunions featuring the original Asia members.

Without a doubt, they were one of the best bands around, especially considering supergroups often struggle with ego issues. Yet, they nailed the right tone for their music on those early albums. Admittedly, it might sound a bit outdated or tied to its era now, but you can’t deny the massive success they enjoyed.

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Traveling Wilburys

This remarkable supergroup, arguably the greatest of all time and undeniably one of the most influential, consisted of George Harrison, Roy Orbison, Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynne, and Tom Petty. Almost joining them was Dave Stewart, famously known from Eurythmics. However, there was one minor hiccup that slightly tarnished their reputation.

George Harrison frequently jammed with a few friends, either in pairs or small groups, before coming together as a full band to record their music. Their first album was recorded at Stewart’s residence in Los Angeles. If not for his obligations to a new Eurythmics album and tour, he would have been another member of the Traveling Wilburys band.

The band is filled with numerous enjoyable aspects. Their name originates from a humorous anecdote about occasional recording issues, where they would “hide them in the mix.” For each album, they adopted a Wilbury persona. Their debut album, Traveling Wilburys Vol.1, released in 1988, features this lineup:

  • Nelson Wilbury – George Harrison
  • Otis Wilbury – Jeff Lynne
  • Lefty Wilbury – Roy Orbison
  • Charlie T. Wilbury, Jr. – Tom Petty
  • Lucky Wilbury – Bob Dylan

As a devoted fan, I’d say this album was simply outstanding! The tracks exuded an amazing blend of style and simplicity that resonated globally. It earned multiple Platinum ratings worldwide, selling over four million copies and securing top-three spots in numerous countries’ charts. Interestingly, it seemed to underperform a bit in the UK, landing at number 16. Yet, it still managed to win a Grammy for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group, which is truly commendable!

Indeed, the passing of Orbison in December 1988 left a significant impact, as it occurred just a few weeks after the release of their album. Despite this tragedy, the remaining band members pressed on and recorded their next project, titled “Traveling Wilburys Vol.3“. The odd numbering was a humorous touch. This new album was dedicated to Lefty Wilbury (Orbison), while each member assumed a fresh persona.

  • Spike Wilbury – George Harrison
  • Clayton Wilbury – Jeff Lynne
  • Muddy Wilbury – Tom Petty
  • Boo Wilbury – Bob Dylan

The sequel didn’t match the commercial success of their debut, but let’s not forget that they still managed to secure multiple platinum records and top 20 albums worldwide – hardly a flop! In addition, several songs were released from this album, including “She’s My Baby” in 1990, which peaked at number two on the US charts.

The issue with this fantastic supergroup, the Traveling Wilburys, was that they didn’t actually travel much. They never embarked on a tour, though they occasionally contemplated it, but it never came to fruition. Their intention was to stand out from other groups who merely collaborate on an album and are labeled as a supergroup. In some ways, this description fits the band, but given their stardom and the quality of their music together, if there were an almost “best supergroup” award, they would undoubtedly win it.

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2024-09-19 13:01