The Fabulous Thunderbirds are a blues-rock band, formed in 1974.

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Career

After performing for several years in the Austin, Texas blues scene, the band won a recording contract with Takoma/Chrysalis Records, and later on signed with Epic Records.

Their first two albums, released in 1979 and 1980 with Keith Ferguson on bass guitar and Mike Buck on drums, initially sold poorly, but are now regarded as successful 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 concerts 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 as the band's only Top 10 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. ^[1] The Fabulous Thunderbirds replaced Vaughan with two guitarists, Duke Robillard and Kid Bangham.

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. 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. ^[2]

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.

Line-ups

1976-1980	Kim Wilson: Vocals, harmonica Jimmie Vaughan: Guitar Keith Ferguson: Bass Mike Buck: Drums
1981–1985	Kim Wilson: Vocals, harmonica Jimmie Vaughan: Guitar Keith Ferguson: Bass Fran Christina: Drums
1985–1989	Kim Wilson: Vocals, harmonica Jimmie Vaughan: Guitar Preston Hubbard: Bass Fran Christina: Drums
1990–1992	Kim Wilson: Vocals, harmonica Duke Robillard: Guitar Kid Bangham: Guitar Preston Hubbard: Bass Fran Christina: Drums
1993-1995	Kim Wilson: Vocals, harmonica David "Kid" Ramos: Guitar Willie Campbell: Bass Gene Taylor: Keyboards Fran Christina: Drums
1996-1998	Kim Wilson: Vocals, harmonica David "Kid" Ramos: Guitar Willie Campbell: Bass Gene Taylor: Keyboards Jimi Bott: Drums
1999	Kim Wilson: Vocals, harmonica David "Kid" Ramos: Guitar Willie Campbell: Bass Gene Taylor: Keyboards Richard Innes: Drums
2000-2002	Kim Wilson: Vocals, harmonica David "Kid" Ramos: Guitar Willie Campbell: Bass Gene Taylor: Keyboards Jimi Bott: Drums
2002	Kim Wilson: Vocals, harmonica David "Kid" Ramos: Guitar Willie Campbell: Bass Gene Taylor: Keyboards Steve Hodges: Drums
2002-2004	Kim Wilson: Vocals, harmonica Troy Gonyea: Guitar Gene Taylor: Keyboards Ronnie James Weber: Bass Jimi Bott: Drums
2005-2007	Kim Wilson: Vocals, harmonica Nick Curran: Guitar, vocals Kirk Fletcher: Guitar Gene Taylor: Keyboards Ronnie James Weber: Bass Jimi Bott: Drums
2007	Kim Wilson: Vocals, harmonica Johnny Moeller: Guitar Kirk Fletcher: Guitar Randy Bermudes: Bass Jay Moeller: Drums
2008	Kim Wilson: Vocals, harmonica Johnny Moeller: Guitar Mike Keller: Guitar Randy Bermudes: Bass Jay Moeller: Drums

Discography

Albums

• Girls Go Wild - (1979)
• What's the Word - (1980)
• Butt Rockin' - (1981)
• T-Bird Rhythm - (1982)
• Tuff Enuff - (1986)
• Hot Number - (1987)
• Powerful Stuff - (1989)
• Walk That Walk, Talk That Talk - (1991)
• Roll of the Dice - (1995)
• High Water - (1997)
• Painted On - (2005)

Live albums

• Live from London - (1985)
• Live - (2001)

Compilations

• The Essential - (1991)
• Hot Stuff: The Greatest Hits - (1992)
• Wrap It Up - (1993)
• Different Tacos - (1996)
• Butt Rockin'/T-Bird Rhythm - (1996)
• Best of the Fabulous Thunderbirds - (1997)
• Tuff Enuff/Powerful Stuff - (1999)
• "Thunderbirds Tacos Deluxe" - (2003)

Singles

• "Tuff Enuff" - (1986)
• "Wrap It Up" - (1986)
• "How Do You Spell Love" - (1987)
• "Powerful Stuff" - (1989)

See also

• Music of Austin
• Music of Texas
• List of 1980s one-hit wonders in the United States
• Texas blues
• List of blues musicians
• Rockabilly

References

1. The Blues - From Robert Johnson (musician)
2. Fabulousthunderbirds.com