For more than 25 years, The Fabulous Thunderbirds have
been the quintessential American band. The group’s distinctive and powerful sound,
influenced by a diversity of musical styles, manifested itself into a unique musical
hybrid via such barn-burners as "Tuff Enuff" and "Wrap
It Up."
Co-founder
Kim Wilson, the sole original member, still spearheads the
group as it evolves into its newest incarnation. "We started as a straight blues
band," vocalist and harmonica player Wilson says. "We now incorporate a mixture
of a lot of different styles. We’re an American music band and we’re much higher energy
than we were before."
"To be in the T-Birds, you need to understand the different styles
of music and different ways of playing," Wilson comments. "You have to be
willing to adopt a more contemporary style. The guys we have now are able to do that."
The thread though-out the T-Birds career has been the respect the group
has commanded for its peerless musicianship and devotion to the sounds of blues, R&B
and rock and roll. In fact, Muddy Waters called Wilson his favorite harmonica player and
vocalist. "Muddy Watters was very good to me," Wilson says. "He almost
adopted me. I’ll never forget him."
In 1979, The Fabulous Thunderbirds released their first
self-tiled album. Primarily blues influenced, it became a cult classic. "Things were
wide open back then," Wilson recalls. "There were hundreds of stages where bands
could show what they had."
In subsequent releases, the band started to incorporate more Cajun, rock
and roll and soul influences. The album "T-Bird Rhythm" marked
a creative turning point for the group as it collaborated with noted producer Nick Lowe.
In 1986, The Fabulous Thunderbirds reached a commercial peak with the album, "Tuff
Enuff." The single of the same title, as well as the singles "Wrap
It Up" and "Look At That," all went Top 40. The
song, "Tuff Enuff" was featured in the film, "Gung
Ho," starring Michael Keaton.
"The thing about the T-Birds is that we can play both blues
festivals and rock venues," Wilson comments. "We’re a diversified band now and
everyone’s on the same page. This is a great time for this band. We’re looking forward to
the future."
The Fabulous Thunderbirds are —
- Kim Wilson – vocals, harmonica
- Gene Taylor – vocals, keyboards
- Ronnie James – bass
- Jimi Bott – drums
- Kirk Fletcher – guitar
- Nick Curran – vocals, guitar
Hits include:
- She’s Tuff
- Wrap It Up
- Tuff Enuff
- Walkin’ to My Baby
- You’re Humbuggin’ Me
- Poor Boy
- Marked Deck
- Full-Time Lover
- Rock With Me
- Can’t Tear It up Enuff
- Wait On Time
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event!
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