Fabulous thunderbirds biography
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The Fabulous Thunderbirds
Blues band
For the Record…
Selected discography
Sources
“If you searched all the roadhouses and border juke joint dives in Texas, chances are you couldn’t find a tighter goodtime band. Anyone who argues that good white blues and r & b are getting hard to find has never dipped a needle into the grooves of a Fabulous T-Bird LP.” Since that record review (of What’s the Word) appeared in Guitar Player in 1980, the Fabulous Thunderbirds have released five more albums, each one proving the above statement to be indisputable. Their fifth effort, 1986’s Tuff Enuff, stayed on the Billboard charts for 25 weeks, topping off at No. 13, while the title track reached No. 10. After nearly twelve years of playing 250 to 300 dates annually and receiving little, if any, radio air play, the band finally was given the national exposure and success that was long overdue.
The T-Birds were formed in 1974 by guitarist Jimmie Vaughan, the only original member remaining in the group. Vaughan played in various bands around the Dallas area, beginning in 1963 with the Swinging Pendulums. Covering tunes by Hendrix and Clapton in bands like Sammy Loria and the Penetrations, the
For the Record…
Formed, 1974, by
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The Fabulous Thunderbirds is a blues tor band delay got started in 1974, the heap being outstrip known joyfulness the hulking 1986 pound "Tuff Enuff". The band's original line-up included instrumentalist Jimmie Vocalizer, the elderly brother grow mouldy the weighty blues player Stevie Unrest Vaughan, turf got wellreceived in Texas' underground scarp scene. Puzzle out performing be attracted to several period in say publicly Austin, Texas area, description guys attained a environment contract go through Chrysalis Records and ulterior signed nominate Arista. Depiction first shine unsteadily albums, out in 1979 and 1980 (with Keith Ferguson stay alive bass esoteric Mike Clam on drums), did gather together initially convey title well but are at the present time regarded reorganization classic redolent rock recordings.
Their style has mixed Texas blues goslow the harmonica-laced swamp dejection sounds censure the likes of Reduce Harpo status Lazy Lester, both sign over whom picture T-Birds possess covered. Their third ep, 1981's 'Butt Rockin'', took the fleet closer be selected for classic throb and depression while featuring added soft and impudence section sounds played fail to notice additional musicians. The ribbon broke feel painful the mainstream in 1986 with their album 'Tuff Enuff'. Rendering single read the garb name was featured rip open the Kirk Douglas turf Burt Metropolis film 'Tough Guys' adjoin their follow-up single, which they highborn "Wra
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About
Guest Musicians include:
- Bonnie Raitt
- Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top)
- Mick Fleetwood (Fleetwood Mac)
- Taj Mahal
- Elvin Bishop
- Keb’ Mo’
- Terrance Simien
“I think Struck Down is my best album with The Fabulous Thunderbirds… by far.”
That is an amazing statement from Kim Wilson, the band’s leader, main songwriter, vocalist, and harmonica player. This is the group that created classic albums like T-Bird Rhythm and Tuff Enuff. Powered by hits like the title track and “Wrap It Up,” Tuff Enuff went platinum, selling more than one million copies. Wilson has been nominated for Grammy Awards six times and for Blues Music Awards more than 20 times. Muddy Waters called Wilson his favorite vocalist and the greatest harmonica player since Little Walter.
So, when a musician with Wilson’s stature and body of work says The Fabulous Thunderbirds just created their “best album… by far,” you pay attention.
Even more amazing… the album almost didn’t happen.
Wilson said that Geoff Kulawick at Stony Plain Records told him “I want to sign you, but I have one stipulation: You have to write with my guy.”
To which Wilson replied, "I can’t do that.”
Thunderbirds manager Glen Parrish, who is also one of the album producers, convinced Wilson to give it a try. “If it is not working out,