The Fabulous Thunderbirds
Encyclopedia
The Fabulous Thunderbirds are an American, Grammy-nominated Blues rock band
, formed in 1974
.
, Texas
blues scene, the band won a recording contract
with Takoma/Chrysalis Records
, and later on signed with Epic Records
.
Their first two album
s, released in 1979 and 1980 with Kim Wilson
's lead vocals and harp, Jimmie Vaughan
as lead guitarist, Keith Ferguson
on bass guitar
and Mike Buck on drum
s, initially sold poorly, but are now regarded as significant blues recordings. The Thunderbirds' blues style mixed Texas blues
with the harmonica
laced swamp blues
sounds of Slim Harpo
and Lazy Lester
— both of whom the Thunderbirds covered
. The band's third album, Butt-Rockin, released in 1981, took the band closer to old rhythm and blues
and added additional musicians playing piano
and brass
.
Although the Fabulous Thunderbirds had become favorites of fellow musicians — opening shows for the likes of The Rolling Stones
and Eric Clapton
— and had been critically well-received, the band's records
did not sell particularly well. Chrysalis dropped the band following the release of T-Bird Rhythm, leaving the band without a contract for four years. While still in limbo, the Fabulous Thunderbirds continued to play concert
s across the U.S.
. During this time, bassist Keith Ferguson left the band and was replaced by Preston Hubbard, a former member of Roomful of Blues
. In 1985, the band finally landed another recording contract with Epic/Associated.
The single
, "Tuff Enuff" was featured in the 1986 film
Gung Ho
. It was also featured in the film
Tough Guys
, as was the follow-up single "Wrap It Up". "Tuff Enuff" remains the band's only Top 40 hit, peaking at #10 on the Billboard Hot 100
. The band's music was also used in the 1987 movie
Hot Pursuit
. The Fabulous Thunderbirds' next album, Hot Number, fell off the charts
quickly. But following that, their recording
of Powerful Stuff was a success, based in part upon its inclusion in the 1988 film Cocktail. The band then embarked on a long series of line-up changes and albums throughout the 1990s.
Jimmie Vaughan
left the band to play in a duo
with his brother
Stevie Ray Vaughan
; following Stevie Ray's death
in 1990, Jimmie pursued a full-time solo career. The Fabulous Thunderbirds replaced Vaughan with two guitarist
s, Duke Robillard
and Kid Bangham.
Doug "Kid" Bangham left the band after three years, recorded two solo albums, and opened the Carver School of Music and the Carver Institute of Rock in Carver, Ma.
In the early 1990s, Kim Wilson
recorded a pair of solo albums while continuing to tour with The Fabulous Thunderbirds. In 1994, the band recorded a ninth album, Roll of the Dice, which was released on Private Music
in 1995. High Water followed in 1997, although this was actually a collaboration between Wilson and studio musicians Steve Jordan
and Danny Kortchmar
issued under the Fabulous Thunderbirds name.
On the evening of February 16, 2000, The Fabulous Thunderbirds made history, becoming the first band ever to be broadcast on the Internet using high-definition cameras. The companion DVD, Invitation Only, is one of the first high-resolution multi-track recordings of a live concert event. The companion CD Live! was released in 2001.
The band recorded Painted On in 2005, produced by Steve Berlin (of Los Lobos
) and featuring Rachel Nagy of The Detroit Cobras on the track Love Speaks Louder Than Words. Guitarist Nick Curran
joined Wilson on vocals for Two Time Fool.
The Fabulous Thunderbirds have maintained an intense touring schedule throughout the United States and Europe since the early 1990s.
Bassist Ronnie James and guitarist Troy Gonyea toured, to considerable acclaim, with Booker T. Jones
in England in 2009, with the addition of guitar player Marc Ford
from The Black Crowes
and Darian Gray on drums.
Live albums
Compilations
Singles
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
, formed in 1974
1974 in music
-January–April:*January 3 – Bob Dylan and The Band kick off their 40-date concert tour at Chicago Stadium. It's Dylan's first time on the road since 1966.*January 17...
.
Career
After performing for several years in the AustinAustin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
blues scene, the band won a recording contract
Recording contract
A recording contract is a legal agreement between a record label and a recording artist , where the artist makes a record for the label to sell and promote...
with Takoma/Chrysalis Records
Chrysalis Records
Chrysalis Records was a British record label that was created in 1969. The name was both a reference to the pupal stage of a butterfly and a combination of its founders names, Chris Wright and Terry Ellis...
, and later on signed with Epic Records
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
.
Their first two album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
s, released in 1979 and 1980 with Kim Wilson
Kim Wilson
Kim Wilson is an American blues singer and harmonica player. He is best known as the lead vocalist and frontman for The Fabulous Thunderbirds on two hit songs of the 1980s; "Tuff Enuff", and "Wrap It Up."-Career:...
's lead vocals and harp, Jimmie Vaughan
Jimmie Vaughan
James Lawrence "Jimmie" Vaughan is an American blues rock guitarist and singer from Dallas, Texas, United States. He is the older brother of the late Stevie Ray Vaughan....
as lead guitarist, Keith Ferguson
Keith Ferguson (musician)
Keith Ferguson was a bass guitarist, best remembered as a member of the blues rock band, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, based in Austin, Texas...
on bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
and Mike Buck on drum
Drum
The drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments, which is technically classified as the membranophones. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a shell and struck, either directly with the player's hands, or with a...
s, initially sold poorly, but are now regarded as significant blues recordings. The Thunderbirds' blues style mixed Texas blues
Texas blues
Texas blues is a subgenre of blues. It has had various style variations but typically has been played with more swing than other blues styles....
with the harmonica
Harmonica
The harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
laced swamp blues
Swamp blues
Swamp blues, sometimes the Excello sound, is a sub-genre of blues music and a variation of Louisiana blues that developed around Baton Rouge in the 1950s and which reached a peak of popularity in the 1960s. It generally has a slow tempo and incorporates influences from other genres of music,...
sounds of Slim Harpo
Slim Harpo
Slim Harpo was an American blues musician. He was known as a master of the blues harmonica; the name "Slim Harpo" was derived from "harp," the popular nickname for the harmonica in blues circles.-Early life:...
and Lazy Lester
Lazy Lester
Lazy Lester is an American blues harmonica player, whose career spans the 1950s to the 2000s....
— both of whom the Thunderbirds covered
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
. The band's third album, Butt-Rockin, released in 1981, took the band closer to old rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
and added additional musicians playing piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
and brass
Brass instrument
A brass instrument is a musical instrument whose sound is produced by sympathetic vibration of air in a tubular resonator in sympathy with the vibration of the player's lips...
.
Although the Fabulous Thunderbirds had become favorites of fellow musicians — opening shows for the likes of The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
and Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton
Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE, is an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. Clapton is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist, and separately as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and...
— and had been critically well-received, the band's records
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
did not sell particularly well. Chrysalis dropped the band following the release of T-Bird Rhythm, leaving the band without a contract for four years. While still in limbo, the Fabulous Thunderbirds continued to play concert
Concert
A concert is a live performance before an audience. The performance may be by a single musician, sometimes then called a recital, or by a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra, a choir, or a musical band...
s across the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. During this time, bassist Keith Ferguson left the band and was replaced by Preston Hubbard, a former member of Roomful of Blues
Roomful of Blues
Roomful Of Blues is an American blues and swing revival big band based in Rhode Island. With a recording career that spans over 40 years, they have toured worldwide and recorded many albums. Roomful of Blues, according to The Chicago Sun-Times, “Swagger, sway and swing with energy and precision...
. In 1985, the band finally landed another recording contract with Epic/Associated.
The single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
, "Tuff Enuff" was featured in the 1986 film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
Gung Ho
Gung Ho (film)
Gung Ho is a 1986 Ron Howard comedy film, released by Paramount Pictures, and starring Michael Keaton and Gedde Watanabe. The film's story portrayed the takeover of an American car plant by a Japanese corporation...
. It was also featured in the film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
Tough Guys
Tough Guys
Tough Guys is a 1986 comedy starring Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglas, Eli Wallach and Dana Carvey. It was directed by Jeff Kanew.Lancaster and Douglas made several films together, including I Walk Alone , Gunfight at the O.K. Corral , The Devil's Disciple , and Seven Days in May , becoming something...
, as was the follow-up single "Wrap It Up". "Tuff Enuff" remains the band's only Top 40 hit, peaking at #10 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
. The band's music was also used in the 1987 movie
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
Hot Pursuit
Hot Pursuit (film)
Hot Pursuit is a 1987 comedy film starring John Cusack, Robert Loggia, Jerry Stiller, Ben Stiller and Keith David. The plot centers around a student named Dan Bartlett who is planning to go on a vacation in the Caribbean with his rich girlfriend's family, when there is a sudden change of plans.The...
. The Fabulous Thunderbirds' next album, Hot Number, fell off the charts
Record chart
A record chart is a ranking of recorded music according to popularity during a given period of time. Examples of music charts are the Hit parade, Hot 100 or Top 40....
quickly. But following that, their recording
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
of Powerful Stuff was a success, based in part upon its inclusion in the 1988 film Cocktail. The band then embarked on a long series of line-up changes and albums throughout the 1990s.
Jimmie Vaughan
Jimmie Vaughan
James Lawrence "Jimmie" Vaughan is an American blues rock guitarist and singer from Dallas, Texas, United States. He is the older brother of the late Stevie Ray Vaughan....
left the band to play in a duo
Duet (music)
A duet is a musical composition for two performers. In classical music, the term is most often used for a composition for two singers or pianists; with other instruments, the word duo is also often used. A piece performed by two pianists performing together on the same piano is referred to as...
with his brother
Sibling
Siblings are people who share at least one parent. A male sibling is called a brother; and a female sibling is called a sister. In most societies throughout the world, siblings usually grow up together and spend a good deal of their childhood socializing with one another...
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Stephen Ray "Stevie Ray" Vaughan was an American electric blues guitarist and singer. He was the younger brother of Jimmie Vaughan and frontman for Double Trouble, a band that included bassist Tommy Shannon and drummer Chris Layton. Born in Dallas, Vaughan moved to Austin at the age of 17 and...
; following Stevie Ray's death
Death
Death is the permanent termination of the biological functions that sustain a living organism. Phenomena which commonly bring about death include old age, predation, malnutrition, disease, and accidents or trauma resulting in terminal injury....
in 1990, Jimmie pursued a full-time solo career. The Fabulous Thunderbirds replaced Vaughan with two guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
s, Duke Robillard
Duke Robillard
Michael John "Duke" Robillard is an American blues musician.After playing in various bands and working for the Guild Guitar Company, he co-founded the band Roomful of Blues with pianist Al Copley in 1967. He has also been a member of The Fabulous Thunderbirds which included Kim Wilson, replacing...
and Kid Bangham.
Doug "Kid" Bangham left the band after three years, recorded two solo albums, and opened the Carver School of Music and the Carver Institute of Rock in Carver, Ma.
In the early 1990s, Kim Wilson
Kim Wilson
Kim Wilson is an American blues singer and harmonica player. He is best known as the lead vocalist and frontman for The Fabulous Thunderbirds on two hit songs of the 1980s; "Tuff Enuff", and "Wrap It Up."-Career:...
recorded a pair of solo albums while continuing to tour with The Fabulous Thunderbirds. In 1994, the band recorded a ninth album, Roll of the Dice, which was released on Private Music
Private Music
Private Music is a United States record company founded in 1984 by experimental musician Peter Baumann, as a home for instrumental music. Initially signing such artists as Yanni, Suzanne Ciani, Patrick O'Hearn, and Baumann's former bandmates Tangerine Dream, the record label specialized in New Age...
in 1995. High Water followed in 1997, although this was actually a collaboration between Wilson and studio musicians Steve Jordan
Steve Jordan
Steve Jordan is the name of:*Steve Jordan , American multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and music producer from New York City*Esteban Jordan , American conjunto and Tejano musician...
and Danny Kortchmar
Danny Kortchmar
Danny "Kootch" Kortchmar is a guitarist, session musician, and songwriter. Kortchmar's work with singer-songwriters such as David Crosby, Carole King, Graham Nash, Carly Simon and James Taylor helped define the signature sound of the singer-songwriter era of the 1970s...
issued under the Fabulous Thunderbirds name.
On the evening of February 16, 2000, The Fabulous Thunderbirds made history, becoming the first band ever to be broadcast on the Internet using high-definition cameras. The companion DVD, Invitation Only, is one of the first high-resolution multi-track recordings of a live concert event. The companion CD Live! was released in 2001.
The band recorded Painted On in 2005, produced by Steve Berlin (of Los Lobos
Los Lobos
Los Lobos are a multiple Grammy Award–winning American Chicano rock band from East Los Angeles, California. Their music is influenced by rock and roll, Tex-Mex, country, folk, R&B, blues, brown-eyed soul, and traditional Spanish and Mexican music such as cumbia, boleros and norteños.-History:The...
) and featuring Rachel Nagy of The Detroit Cobras on the track Love Speaks Louder Than Words. Guitarist Nick Curran
Nick Curran (musician)
Nick Curran is an American rock n roll singer and guitarist. He has been likened to T-Bone Walker, Little Richard, The Sonics, Doug Sahm, Misfits, The Dinks and The Ramones.-Biography:...
joined Wilson on vocals for Two Time Fool.
The Fabulous Thunderbirds have maintained an intense touring schedule throughout the United States and Europe since the early 1990s.
Bassist Ronnie James and guitarist Troy Gonyea toured, to considerable acclaim, with Booker T. Jones
Booker T. Jones
Booker T. Jones is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, record producer and arranger, best known as the frontman of the band Booker T. and the MGs. He has also worked in the studios with many well-known artists of the 20th and 21st centuries, earning him a Grammy Award for lifetime...
in England in 2009, with the addition of guitar player Marc Ford
Marc Ford
Marc Ford , is an American blues-rock guitarist. He's a former lead guitarist of the rock and roll jam band The Black Crowes and the leader of his own bands .-Burning Tree:Ford began his career with the blues-rock outfit Burning...
from The Black Crowes
The Black Crowes
The Black Crowes are an American rock band formed in 1989. Their discography includes nine studio albums, four live albums and several charting singles. The band was signed to Def American Recordings in 1989 by producer George Drakoulias and released their debut album, Shake Your Money Maker, the...
and Darian Gray on drums.
Line-ups
| 1976–1980 |
|
|---|---|
| 1981–1985 |
Kim Wilson Kim Wilson is an American blues singer and harmonica player. He is best known as the lead vocalist and frontman for The Fabulous Thunderbirds on two hit songs of the 1980s; "Tuff Enuff", and "Wrap It Up."-Career:... : Vocals, harmonica Jimmie Vaughan James Lawrence "Jimmie" Vaughan is an American blues rock guitarist and singer from Dallas, Texas, United States. He is the older brother of the late Stevie Ray Vaughan.... : Guitar |
| 1985–1989 |
Kim Wilson Kim Wilson is an American blues singer and harmonica player. He is best known as the lead vocalist and frontman for The Fabulous Thunderbirds on two hit songs of the 1980s; "Tuff Enuff", and "Wrap It Up."-Career:... : Vocals, harmonica Jimmie Vaughan James Lawrence "Jimmie" Vaughan is an American blues rock guitarist and singer from Dallas, Texas, United States. He is the older brother of the late Stevie Ray Vaughan.... : Guitar |
| 1990–1992 |
Kim Wilson Kim Wilson is an American blues singer and harmonica player. He is best known as the lead vocalist and frontman for The Fabulous Thunderbirds on two hit songs of the 1980s; "Tuff Enuff", and "Wrap It Up."-Career:... : Vocals, harmonica Duke Robillard Michael John "Duke" Robillard is an American blues musician.After playing in various bands and working for the Guild Guitar Company, he co-founded the band Roomful of Blues with pianist Al Copley in 1967. He has also been a member of The Fabulous Thunderbirds which included Kim Wilson, replacing... : Guitar |
| 1993–1995 |
Kim Wilson Kim Wilson is an American blues singer and harmonica player. He is best known as the lead vocalist and frontman for The Fabulous Thunderbirds on two hit songs of the 1980s; "Tuff Enuff", and "Wrap It Up."-Career:... : Vocals, harmonica Kid Ramos Kid Ramos is an American electric blues and blues rock guitarist, singer and songwriter. Thompson has released four solo albums since 1995 on Black Top and Evidence Records... : Guitar Gene Taylor (musician) Gene Taylor is an American blues rock and boogie-woogie pianist.-Biography:Taylor began his musical training as a drummer at age eight but two years later he had picked up both the guitar and his initial piano skills from boogie-woogie pianist-neighbours... : Keyboards |
| 1996–1998 |
Kim Wilson Kim Wilson is an American blues singer and harmonica player. He is best known as the lead vocalist and frontman for The Fabulous Thunderbirds on two hit songs of the 1980s; "Tuff Enuff", and "Wrap It Up."-Career:... : Vocals, harmonica Kid Ramos Kid Ramos is an American electric blues and blues rock guitarist, singer and songwriter. Thompson has released four solo albums since 1995 on Black Top and Evidence Records... : Guitar Gene Taylor (musician) Gene Taylor is an American blues rock and boogie-woogie pianist.-Biography:Taylor began his musical training as a drummer at age eight but two years later he had picked up both the guitar and his initial piano skills from boogie-woogie pianist-neighbours... : Keyboards |
| 1999 |
Kim Wilson Kim Wilson is an American blues singer and harmonica player. He is best known as the lead vocalist and frontman for The Fabulous Thunderbirds on two hit songs of the 1980s; "Tuff Enuff", and "Wrap It Up."-Career:... : Vocals, harmonica Kid Ramos Kid Ramos is an American electric blues and blues rock guitarist, singer and songwriter. Thompson has released four solo albums since 1995 on Black Top and Evidence Records... : Guitar Gene Taylor (musician) Gene Taylor is an American blues rock and boogie-woogie pianist.-Biography:Taylor began his musical training as a drummer at age eight but two years later he had picked up both the guitar and his initial piano skills from boogie-woogie pianist-neighbours... : Keyboards |
| 2000–2002 |
Kim Wilson Kim Wilson is an American blues singer and harmonica player. He is best known as the lead vocalist and frontman for The Fabulous Thunderbirds on two hit songs of the 1980s; "Tuff Enuff", and "Wrap It Up."-Career:... : Vocals, harmonica Kid Ramos Kid Ramos is an American electric blues and blues rock guitarist, singer and songwriter. Thompson has released four solo albums since 1995 on Black Top and Evidence Records... : Guitar Gene Taylor (musician) Gene Taylor is an American blues rock and boogie-woogie pianist.-Biography:Taylor began his musical training as a drummer at age eight but two years later he had picked up both the guitar and his initial piano skills from boogie-woogie pianist-neighbours... : Keyboards |
| 2002 |
Kim Wilson Kim Wilson is an American blues singer and harmonica player. He is best known as the lead vocalist and frontman for The Fabulous Thunderbirds on two hit songs of the 1980s; "Tuff Enuff", and "Wrap It Up."-Career:... : Vocals, harmonica Kid Ramos Kid Ramos is an American electric blues and blues rock guitarist, singer and songwriter. Thompson has released four solo albums since 1995 on Black Top and Evidence Records... : Guitar Gene Taylor (musician) Gene Taylor is an American blues rock and boogie-woogie pianist.-Biography:Taylor began his musical training as a drummer at age eight but two years later he had picked up both the guitar and his initial piano skills from boogie-woogie pianist-neighbours... : Keyboards |
| 2002–2004 |
Kim Wilson Kim Wilson is an American blues singer and harmonica player. He is best known as the lead vocalist and frontman for The Fabulous Thunderbirds on two hit songs of the 1980s; "Tuff Enuff", and "Wrap It Up."-Career:... : Vocals, harmonica Gene Taylor (musician) Gene Taylor is an American blues rock and boogie-woogie pianist.-Biography:Taylor began his musical training as a drummer at age eight but two years later he had picked up both the guitar and his initial piano skills from boogie-woogie pianist-neighbours... : Keyboards |
| 2005–2007 |
Kim Wilson Kim Wilson is an American blues singer and harmonica player. He is best known as the lead vocalist and frontman for The Fabulous Thunderbirds on two hit songs of the 1980s; "Tuff Enuff", and "Wrap It Up."-Career:... : Vocals, harmonica Nick Curran (musician) Nick Curran is an American rock n roll singer and guitarist. He has been likened to T-Bone Walker, Little Richard, The Sonics, Doug Sahm, Misfits, The Dinks and The Ramones.-Biography:... : Guitar, vocals Gene Taylor (musician) Gene Taylor is an American blues rock and boogie-woogie pianist.-Biography:Taylor began his musical training as a drummer at age eight but two years later he had picked up both the guitar and his initial piano skills from boogie-woogie pianist-neighbours... : Keyboards |
| 2007 |
Kim Wilson Kim Wilson is an American blues singer and harmonica player. He is best known as the lead vocalist and frontman for The Fabulous Thunderbirds on two hit songs of the 1980s; "Tuff Enuff", and "Wrap It Up."-Career:... : Vocals, harmonica Johnny Moeller Johnny Moeller is an American blues guitarist currently with The Fabulous Thunderbirds.... : Guitar |
| 2008 |
Kim Wilson Kim Wilson is an American blues singer and harmonica player. He is best known as the lead vocalist and frontman for The Fabulous Thunderbirds on two hit songs of the 1980s; "Tuff Enuff", and "Wrap It Up."-Career:... : Vocals, harmonica Johnny Moeller Johnny Moeller is an American blues guitarist currently with The Fabulous Thunderbirds.... : Guitar |
Discography
Albums- Girls Go WildGirls Go WildGirls Go Wild is the debut studio album by Texas based Blues Rock band The Fabulous Thunderbirds released in 1979. The album initially sold poorly, but is now regarded as a successful white blues recording...
(1979) - What's the WordWhat's the WordWhat's the Word is the second studio album by Texas based Blues Rock band The Fabulous Thunderbirds released in 1980. The album, like its predecessor initially sold poorly, but is now regarded as a successful white blues recording...
(1980) - Butt Rockin'Butt Rockin'Butt Rockin' is the third studio album by Texas based Blues Rock band The Fabulous Thunderbirds. The recording took the band closer to old rhythm and blues and added additional musicians playing piano and brass...
(1981) - T-Bird RhythmT-Bird RhythmT-Bird Rhythm is the fourth studio album by Texas based Blues Rock band The Fabulous Thunderbirds released in 1982. The recording features a mixture of covers and originals.- Track listing :All tracks composed by Kim Wilson; except where indicated...
(1982) - Tuff EnuffTuff EnuffTuff Enuff is a 1986 studio album by Texas-based Blues Rock band The Fabulous Thunderbirds which pointed the band in a more mainstream direction. The single, "Tuff Enuff" was featured in the films Gung Ho, Tough Guys, as was the follow-up single "Wrap It Up". It has also been played a number of...
(1986) - Hot NumberHot NumberHot number is a 1987 studio album by Texas based Blues Rock band The Fabulous Thunderbirds.-Track listing:All tracks composed by Kim Wilson; except where indicated# "Stand Back"# "Hot Number"# "Wasted Tears"# "It Comes to Me Naturally"...
(1987) - Powerful StuffPowerful StuffPowerful Stuff is a 1989 studio album by Texas based Blues Rock band The Fabulous Thunderbirds. It was recorded in Memphis and Produced by Terry Manning. The track "Powerful Stuff" achieved mainstream success and was featured in Touchstone Pictures' 1988 hit film Cocktail...
(1989) - Walk That Walk, Talk That TalkWalk That Walk, Talk That TalkWalk That Walk, Talk That Talk is a 1991 studio album by Texas based Blues Rock band The Fabulous Thunderbirds and the first without guitarist Jimmie Vaughan. He was replaced by Duke Robillard and Kid Bangham for the recording...
(1991) - Roll of the DiceRoll of the DiceRoll of the Dice is a 1995 studio album by Texas based Blues Rock band The Fabulous Thunderbirds, their second without Jimmie Vaughan.-Track listing:# "Roll Of The Dice"# "Too Many Irons In The Fire"# "How Do I Get You Back?"# "Here Comes the Night"...
(1995) - High WaterHigh Water (album)High Water is a 1997 studio album credited to Texas based Blues Rock band The Fabulous Thunderbirds -- although in fact, the album is actually a collaboration between Thunderbirds frontman Kim Wilson and studio musicians Steve Jordan and Danny Kortchmar...
(1997) - Painted OnPainted OnPainted On is a 2005 studio album by Texas based Blues Rock band The Fabulous Thunderbirds. It was produced by Steve Berlin of Los Lobos and features Rachel Nagy of The Detroit Cobras.-Track listing:# "Hard Knock"# "Got To Get Out"# "Two-Time Fool"...
(2005) - Thunderbirds! (2009, sold only at shows)
Live albums
- Live from London (1985)
- LiveLive (The Fabulous Thunderbirds album)Live is a 2001 live album by Texas based Blues Rock band The Fabulous Thunderbirds. Recorded on the evening of February 16th, 2000, the concert made history somewhat for becoming the first ever to be broadcast over the internet using high-definition cameras. It was also released on DVD titled...
(2001)
Compilations
- Portfolio (1987)
- The Essential (1991)
- Hot Stuff: The Greatest Hits (1992)
- Wrap It Up (1993)
- Different TacosDifferent TacosDifferent Tacos is a 1996 live album by Texas based Blues Rock band The Fabulous Thunderbirds. The album features a collection of rarities, B-sides and outtakes from their first four albums...
(1996) - Butt Rockin'/T-Bird Rhythm (1996)
- Best of the Fabulous Thunderbirds (1997)
- Tuff Enuff/Powerful Stuff (1999)
- Thunderbirds Tacos Deluxe (2003)
- The Best of the Fabulous Thunderbirds: Early Birds SpecialThe Best of the Fabulous Thunderbirds: Early Birds SpecialThe Best of the Fabulous Thunderbirds: Early Birds Special is a 2011 compilation album by Texas based Blues Rock band The Fabulous Thunderbirds released on Benchmark Recordings...
(2011)
Singles
- "Tuff EnuffTuff Enuff (song)"Tuff Enuff" is a popular song by the blues-rock band The Fabulous Thunderbirds. It was written by the band's lead singer Kim Wilson and appeared on the album Tuff Enuff...
" (1986) - "Wrap It Up" (1986)
- "How Do You Spell Love" (1987)
- "Powerful Stuff" (1989)
See also
- Music of AustinMusic of AustinThe music of Austin, Texas, USA has gone beyond 6th Street and now includes other areas such as Red River, the University of Texas, the Warehouse District and Downtown, South Lamar, South Austin, East Austin and the Market District where bars and clubs of every kind can be found. Every night over...
- Music of TexasMusic of TexasTexas has long been a center for musical innovation. Texans have pioneered musical developments in tejano & conjunto music, Western Swing, Jazz, punk rock, mariachi, country music, electronic music, gothic and industrial music and the blues...
- List of 1980s one-hit wonders in the United States
- Texas bluesTexas bluesTexas blues is a subgenre of blues. It has had various style variations but typically has been played with more swing than other blues styles....
- List of blues musicians
- RockabillyRockabillyRockabilly is one of the earliest styles of rock and roll music, dating to the early 1950s.The term rockabilly is a portmanteau of rock and hillbilly, the latter a reference to the country music that contributed strongly to the style's development...