The Fabulous Thunderbirds

Item details

Date

Sunday, Nov 16, 2025 7:00PM

Name

The Fabulous Thunderbirds

Description

For Wilson, the musical journey started in Goleta, California. At 17 he began playing the harmonica. His influences included Little Walter, George “Harmonica” Smith, Lazy Lester and James Cotton. At the same time, Wilson began singing and was deeply impacted by Bobby “Blue” Bland, B.B. King, Otis Rush, Jimmy Rodgers and Muddy Waters.

In search of other musicians who shared his love of the blues, Wilson headed to the burgeoning music scene of Austin, Texas, where he met Jimmie Vaughan and they founded the T-Birds in 1974. The band developed a reputation as a compelling live act and subsequently signed a record deal with CBS/Epic Records.

In 1979, The Fabulous Thunderbirds released their first self-titled album, primarily blues-influenced. In subsequent releases, the band started to incorporate more Cajun, rock ‘n 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 name as well as “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.

For the remainder of the ’80s, the band continued to record and tour, with Vaughan leaving in 1989. Wilson kept the group going, incorporating keyboards into the guitar-driven sound. Kim moved back to California in 1996, continuing to cultivate the T-Birds’ music.

“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.”

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