The Fabulous Thunderbirds

The Fabulous Thunderbirds
Riverwalk Blues Festival; February 2006
Background information
Origin	Texas, United States
Genres	Blues rock Texas blues Southern rock
Years active	1974–present
Labels	CBS Associated
Website	http://fabulousthunderbirds.com/
Members	Kim Wilson Johnny Moeller Steve Gomes Wes Watkins Kevin Anker
Past members	Jimmie Vaughan, Richard Innes, Keith Ferguson, Mike Buck, Fran Christina, Preston Hubbard, Duke Robillard, Doug "Kid" Bangham, Gene Taylor, Kid Ramos, Willie Campbell, Jimi Bott, Richard Innes, Steve Hodges, Ronnie James Weber, Troy Gonyea, Kirk Fletcher, Nick Curran , Randy Bermudes, Jay Moeller, Mike Keller

The Fabulous Thunderbirds are an American blues rock band, formed in 1974 in Texas.

After performing for several years in the Austin, Texas, blues scene, the band won a recording contract with Takoma/Chrysalis Records and later signed with Epic Records. In 2011, they signed with Severn Records.

Their first two albums were released in 1979 and 1980, with Kim Wilson's lead vocals and harp, Jimmie Vaughan as lead guitarist, and Keith Ferguson on bass guitar. Mike Buck was on drums for the first album but left the band and was replaced by Fran Christina on the second. Both albums initially sold through the small number printed (about 3000 units) and 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 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. Also during this time, the band was heavily featured on the 1983 Carlos Santana Album "Havana Moon." In 1985, the band finally landed another recording contract with Epic/Associated.