End of the Line is from one of the most accessible country and folk – rock records I have ever heard – Traveling Wilburys Volume 1. If I had to choose just one album to introduce someone to this genre of music I wouldn’t hesitate choosing this one. There isn’t a mediocre song on it and it ends with today’s stellar and catchy track – End of the Line.
Two songs have already featured from this album, namely Congratulations and Dirty World. I would point you to the former if you would like to read more about this album and a link to the wonderful documentary about how the Traveling Wilburys came to be and produced this remarkable record.
Today’s song video hits a sombre note as it shows an empty rocking chair and lone guitar of the band’s most affable member Roy Orbison who passed away just before this video was made. So End of the Line is really a moving tribute to him, not to mention how Volume 2 was skipped in respect to him. So they went straight to Volume 3 after making this.
This song was mainly written by George Harrison, but all five members received a songwriting credit for their collaboration effort. It peaked at No 63 on the main charts, but I remember seeing it a plenty on the Rage program top-hits growing up. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers played this song live during their 2008 North American tour. The main reference as usual in the writing of this article is Wikipedia.
Jeff Lynne spoke of the recording sessions: “Everybody just sat there going, ‘Wow, it’s Roy Orbison!’ … Even though he’s become your pal and you’re hanging out and having a laugh and going to dinner, as soon as he gets behind that [mic] and he’s doing his business, suddenly it’s shudder time.’
“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand
Observation Blogger 
One of the saddest stories…Roy had been down a long time and finally he was back in the limelight and everything was taken away from us. At least he went out on top and with his friends. I’m so glad they did this band.
It is very sad and unexpected. A wonderful tribute.
He lived around 30 miles from me….it was shocking.
Roy? wow. How did you know that?
He lived in Hendersonville….I worked in Hendersonville a few years ago. It’s not a long way from where I live.
It’s weird. I never saw him from a particular place. He was that kind of guy. I can’t believe he died just 52 years old. The fact he lived thereabouts in your neck of the woods is something else.
I never got to see him live but I was planning to when I read about his solo album coming out.
I remember seeing him as a teen singing ‘You Got It’ and being gobsmacked. Then on Wilburys and I was floored by ‘Not alone any more’. The next thing he’s passed away.
Yes that was on his solo album and it was huge but of course after he passed away. The guy had a rough rough life….have you ever read about what happened to him in the sixties?
Yes I did about his teenage sons also I read Cash’s biography which detailed it
Just awful…and from everyone I’ve read and I have met a couple of people who knew him….they all said he was so humble and nice.
I can’t imagine meeting someone who knew him. How did they meet him? He seems just a great guy in the doco… really nice and low key.
One of them worked for him…he did things to his house. I’ve met a musician also that knew him. My guitar tech worked on big time stars…I met Billy Cox through him briefly…he was Jimi Hendrixs bass player…one of them.
Jimi Hendix’s bass player. Wow Max! Orbison just seemed so nice. All the Wilbury’s were just gobsmacked to be there with him
Billy Cox ran a pawn shop for a long time…later on though Turner (my guitar tech) introduced us. Cool dude…unfortunately Turner passed away.
I got with Turner because he knew my family from making guitars.
That’s some backstory buddy. Sorry to hear about Tuirner.
Thanks….he offered me a Tom Petty owned 12 string electric guitar but I didn’t have the cash at the time…
He was a great guy. He would introduce me to these top Nashville musicians and say…this is MAX, his family made Gower and Grammar guitars…some of the best ones made….on and on…I was embarrassed but proud also.
Wow a tom Petty guitar. Your family made guitars?
Yes in the 60s and 70s….people like George Jones, Dolly Parton, and I believe Cash had a couple of guitars and Mandolins…. Here you go Matt…this is pretty much it…Not just saying it…but they are great guitars and go for a lot of money.
https://powerpop.blog/2018/06/17/gower-guitars/
Wow Max. It’s impressive your family made these guitars and now get so much on ebay. And the fact your family built a studio where the best of country made demos. And then to have Faron Young come in and later make a big hit. Thanks for sending the article.
Thanks Matt…I just wish it would have been going when I was older
You didn’t want to make guitars? Why did it stop?
Mismanagement… If they would have let my aunt do the business part they would have lasted….but men back then thought men knew best…
I have tinkered around with guitars…and I have some parts from back then. There is one guitar that all I need is to finish the neck.
i just added to the posts a quote I read on wiki: Lynne later spoke of the recording sessions: “Everybody just sat there going, ‘Wow, it’s Roy Orbison!’ … Even though he’s become your pal and you’re hanging out and having a laugh and going to dinner, as soon as he gets behind that [mic] and he’s doing his business, suddenly it’s shudder time.
Yes….I think I’ve said this before but Tom Petty called his mom and told her…”I’m in a band with Roy Orbison!”
That Petty quote is one for the ages!!! Hahaha