Fabulous Thunderbirds
Formed in Texas, USA in 1977, the Thunderbirds comprised, Jimmy Vaughan (b. 20 March 1951, Dallas, Texas, USA; guitar), Kim Wilson (b. 6 January 1951, Detroit, Michigan, USA; vocals/harmonica), Keith Ferguson (b. 23 July 1946, Houston, Texas, USA; bass) and Mike Buck (b. 17 June 1952; drums). They emerged from the post-punk vacuum with a solid, unpretentious brand of R&B. Their debut album, THE FABULOUS THUNDERBIRDS AKA GIRLS GO WILD offered a series of powerful original songs as well as sympathetic cover versions, including a vibrant reading of Slim Harpo's Scratch My Back. This mixture has sustained the group throughout its career, although it took a move from Chrysalis to the Epic label to provide the success which their exciting music deserved. The Thunderbirds' line-up has undergone some changes, with former Roomful Of Blues drummer Fran Christiana (b. 1 February 1951, Westerly, Rhode Island, USA) replacing Mike Buck in 1980, and Preston Hubbard (b. 15 March 1953, Providence, Rhode Island, USA) joining after Ferguson departed. Throughout these changes, Wilson and Vaughan, the brother of the late blues guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan, have remained at the helm. Drummer Buck formed the Leroi Brothers in 1980, while Ferguson went on to forge a new career with the Tail Gators. Although both of these groups offer a similar bar band fare, the Thunderbirds remain, unquestionably, the masters.