THE FABULOUS THUNDERBIRDS THE GREATEST "BAR" BAND IN THE WORLD?
The Fabulous Thunderbirds—just another great li’l ol' band from that lone star state of Texas (Austin, to be exact)—are one of the current classic cases of perseverance in rock ’n’ roll. The Fab ’Birds have been playing their rip-roarin’ blend of blues, rock and r&b for many years now, playing small clubs and bars throughout the country, and occasionally doing a show in a small theater.
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THE FABULOUS THUNDERBIRDS THE GREATEST "BAR" BAND IN THE WORLD?
The Fabulous Thunderbirds—just another great li’l ol' band from that lone star state of Texas (Austin, to be exact)—are one of the current classic cases of perseverance in rock ’n’ roll. The Fab ’Birds have been playing their rip-roarin’ blend of blues, rock and r&b for many years now, playing small clubs and bars throughout the country, and occasionally doing a show in a small theater. The band soon won a reputation as one of the best bar bands you could see anywhere—but many often wondered just how far you could go being a “bar” band.
Nick Lowe produced an LP for the band several years ago which everyone thought would be the T-Birds’ big break. Unfortunately, even though their reputation continued to grow, the band still wasn’t one you’d say had hit the big time. In fact, lead guitarist Jimmie Vaughan’s baby brother Stevie Ray Vaughan appeared on a David Bowie LP, went solo soon afterwards, and rapidly eclipsed the T-Birds in popularity.
Still, Jimmie, singer/harmonica player Kim Wilson and one of the best rhythm teams around kept going, finally reaching their goal this year. Dave Edmunds, Nick Lowe’s old partner, produced their Tuff Enuff LP, helping the band to reach the sound they’ve always deserved on vinyl. The LP has cracked the Top 20, and the single (featured in Ronnie Howard’s Gung Ho film, which didn’t hurt the band any) has reached the top of the charts. The band is on the road, playing many “family affair” shows with Stevie Ray. Kim recently played “The Star Spangled Banner” on his harmonica to open a San Francisco Giants game in Candlestick Park. And during a recent show in Seattle, the band was joined onstage for their encores of “Tutti Frutti” and “Hound Dog” by Bryan Adams and Loverboy guitarist Paul Dean.
Not bad for a li’l ol’ bar band from Austin, Texas, eh?
