The Fabulous Thunderbirds

  • TX
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  • Blues/Folk
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  • 1974
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About The Fabulous Thunderbirds

Official Site: http://fabulousthunderbirds.com/ , delafont.com | facebook.com/FabulousThunderbirds


With their fusion of blues, rock & roll, and R&B, the Fabulous Thunderbirds helped popularize roadhouse Texas blues with a mass audience in the '80s and, in the process, they helped kick-start a blues revival during the mid-'80s. During their heyday in the early '80s, they were the most popular attraction on the blues bar circuit, which eventually led to a breakthrough to the pop audience in 1986 with their fifth album, Tuff Enuff. The mass success didn't last too long, and founding member Jimmie Vaughan left in 1990, but the Fabulous Thunderbirds remained one of the most popular blues concert acts in America during the '90s.

Guitarist Jimmie Vaughan formed the Fabulous Thunderbirds with vocalist/harpist Kim Wilson in 1974; in addition to Vaughan and Wilson, the band's original lineup included bassist Keith Ferguson and drummer Mike Buck. Initially, the group also featured vocalist Lou Ann Barton, but she left the band shortly after its formation. Within a few years, the Thunderbirds became the house band for the Austin club Antone's, where they would play regular sets and support touring blues musicians. By the end of the decade, they had built a strong fan base, which led to a record contract with the local Takoma Records.

In 1979, the Fabulous Thunderbirds released their eponymous debut on Takoma. The record was successful enough to attract the attention of major labels and Chrysalis signed the band the following year. What's the Word, the group's second album, was released in 1980 and it was followed in 1981 by Butt Rockin'. By the time the Thunderbirds recorded their 1982 album T-Bird Rhythm, drummer Mike Buck was replaced by Fran Christina, a former member of Roomful of Blues.

Although the Fabulous Thunderbirds had become favorites of fellow musicians -- they opened shows for the Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton -- and had been critically well-received, their records didn't sell particularly well. Chrysalis dropped the band following the release of T-Bird Rhythm, leaving the band without a record contract for four years. While they were in limbo, they continued to play concerts across the country. During this time, bassist Keith Ferguson left the band and was replaced by Preston Hubbard, another former member of Roomful of Blues. In 1985, they finally landed another record contract, signing with Epic/Associated.

After the deal with Epic/Associated was complete, the T-Birds entered a London studio and recorded their fifth album with producer Dave Edmunds. The resulting album, Tuff Enuff, was released in the spring of 1986 and, unexpectedly, became a major crossover success. The title track was released as a single and its accompanying video received heavy play on MTV, which helped the song reach the American Top Ten. The success of the single sent the album to number 13 on the charts; Tuff Enuff would eventually receive a platinum record. "Wrap It Up," a cover of an old Sam & Dave song, was the album's second single and it became a Top Ten album rock track. Later in 1986, the T-Birds won the W.C. Handy Award for best blues band.

The Fabulous Thunderbirds' follow-up to Tuff Enuff, Hot Number, arrived in the summer of 1987. Initially, the album did fairly well -- peaking at number 49 on the charts and spawning the Top Ten album rock hit "Stand Back" -- but it quickly fell off the charts. Furthermore, its slick, radio-ready sound alienated their hardcore following of blues fans. "Powerful Stuff," a single from the soundtrack of the Tom Cruise film Cocktail, became a number three album rock hit in the summer of 1988. It was included on the following year's Powerful Stuff album, which proved to be a major commercial disappointment -- it only spent seven weeks on the charts.

After the two poorly received follow-ups to Tuff Enuff, Jimmie Vaughan left the band to play in a duo with his brother, Stevie Ray Vaughan; following Stevie Ray's death in the summer of 1990, Jimmie pursued a full-time solo career. The Fabulous Thunderbirds replaced Vaughan with two guitarists, Duke Robillard and Kid Bangham. The first album from the new lineup, Walk That Walk, Talk That Talk, appeared in 1991. Following the release of Walk That Walk, Talk That Talk, Epic/Associated dropped the Fabulous Thunderbirds from their roster.

During the early '90s, the Fabulous Thunderbirds were in limbo, as Kim Wilson recorded a pair of solo albums -- Tigerman (1993) and That's Life (1994). Wilson re-assembled the band in late 1994 and the band recorded their ninth album, Roll of the Dice, which was released on Private Music in 1995. High Water followed in 1997 with a live album after that in 2001.

In 2004, Wilson reassembled the band yet again adding retro blues sensation guitarist Nick Curran and equally talented West Coast guitarist Kirk Eli Fletcher. The newly anointed group released Painted On on Tone Cool records in 2005. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi

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Music

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  • Stand Back
    the-fabulous-thunderbirds
    Video
    Stand Back
  • Tuff Enuff
    the-fabulous-thunderbirds
    Video
    Tuff Enuff
  • 3996
    SoundStream
    SoundStream
    song name
    0:00
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    All the music you want, just 10 bucks a month. Try it free.
    • Tuff Enuff
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/9/2/8/3/3/106933829.mp3
    • Wrap It Up
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/7/7/2/4/9/106594277.mp3
    • Tuff Enuff
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/7/3/0/9/9/106999037.mp3
    • Why Get Up
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/1/0/0/9/4/106149001.mp3
    • Powerful Stuff
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/7/4/1/2/2/107022147.mp3
    • Two Time My Lovin
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/3/3/8/2/3/106932833.mp3

News

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  • The Fabulous Thunderbirds
    Candye Kane, Fabulous Thunderbirds, Muddy Waters Tribute and Rosie Ladet to Headline 23rd Annual Simi Valley Cajun & Blues Music Festival
    www.jambands.com
    Festival is set to take place over Memorial Day weekend, May 26-27, at Rancho Santa Susanna Community Park, in Simi Valley, CA. The festival will feat...
    Read More
  • The Fabulous Thunderbirds
    Rock the Blues Summer Jam: Dickey Betts, Fabulous Thunderbirds, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Beverley McClellan
    www.jambands.com
    The Rock the Blues Summer Jam 2013 featuring Dickey Betts and Great Southern, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Beverly McClellan ...
    Read More

Tour Dates

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  • Jun 7 Friday
    Erie, PA, US Presque Isle Downs & Casino
    Buy Ticket
  • Jul 14 Sunday
    Weert, Netherlands Bospop
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  • Jul 15 Monday
    London, UK The Jazz Cafe
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  • Jul 16 Tuesday
    London, UK The Jazz Cafe
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  • Jul 26 Friday
    Port Chester, NY, US The Capitol Theatre
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  • Jul 27 Saturday
    Huntington, NY, US The Paramount
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  • Jul 31 Wednesday
    Mescalero, NM, US Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino
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  • Oct 18 Friday
    Fort Lauderdale, FL, US Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise
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  • Oct 19 Saturday
    Fort Lauderdale, FL, US Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise
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  • Oct 20 Sunday
    Fort Lauderdale, FL, US Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise
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  • Oct 21 Monday
    Fort Lauderdale, FL, US Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise
    Buy Ticket
  • Oct 22 Tuesday
    Fort Lauderdale, FL, US Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise
    Buy Ticket
  • Oct 23 Wednesday
    Fort Lauderdale, FL, US Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise
    Buy Ticket
  • Oct 24 Thursday
    Fort Lauderdale, FL, US Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise
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  • Oct 25 Friday
    Fort Lauderdale, FL, US Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise
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Discography

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Next Page
  • On the Verge (2013)
    The Fabulous Thunderbirds
    On the Verge (2013)
    Severn Records
  • Painted On (2005)
    The Fabulous Thunderbirds
    Painted On (2005)
    Tone-Cool/Artemis
  • Live (2001)
    The Fabulous Thunderbirds
    Live (2001)
    Sanctuary
  • The Fabulous Thunderbirds [Girls Go Wild] (2001)
    The Fabulous Thunderbirds
    The Fabulous Thunderbirds [Girls Go Wild] (2001)
    Benchmark
  • High Water (1997)
    The Fabulous Thunderbirds
    High Water (1997)
    High Street Records
  • Different Tacos (1996)
    The Fabulous Thunderbirds
    Different Tacos (1996)
    Country Town
  • Roll of the Dice (1995)
    The Fabulous Thunderbirds
    Roll of the Dice (1995)
    Private Music
  • Walk That Walk, Talk That Talk (1991)
    The Fabulous Thunderbirds
    Walk That Walk, Talk That Talk (1991)
    Epic Associated
  • Powerful Stuff (1989)
    The Fabulous Thunderbirds
    Powerful Stuff (1989)
    Epic Associated
  • Hot Number (1987)
    The Fabulous Thunderbirds
    Hot Number (1987)
    Epic Associated
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