Fifty years ago, Kim Wilson formed the Texas blues band The Fabulous Thunderbirds. He has been the only constant in the band’s illustrious history. The T Birds new album Struck Down is a very strong effort that has topped the blues charts on iTunes, Spotify, Living Blues, Roots Music Report, and others. It’s like a blues travelogue. On Side A alone we’re taken from Chicago to New Orleans to Texas to Mississippi. Wilson calls it “our best effort to date.” His 1986 platinum-selling album Tuff Enuff might have a bone to pick with that statement, but the point is well-taken. The album sounds vibrant and reinforces that the blues are alive and well. Wilson’s voice, songwriting, and trademark harp playing are front and center and the record features some A-list friends who make meaningful contributions, including Keb’ Mo, Bonnie Raitt, Taj Majal, and Mick Fleetwood on the Memphis Minnie tune “Nothing in Rambling”. Elvin Bishop, zydeco king Terrance Simien, and New Jersey blues veteran Dean Shot all make cameos as well. One of the highlights is the first single “Payback Time” featuring ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons, an old running mate of Wilson’s from the Lone Star State.
Wilson has lived an amazing musical life. Muddy Waters called him his favorite singer and the best harp player since Little Walter. “I live my whole life trying to make it true,” Wilson said. Waters mentored Wilson and was particularly generous and supportive in the early days. When Wilson moved from Minneapolis to Austin, who was his first guitarist? None other than Stevie Ray Vaughan. After playing together in a trio format, Wilson formed The Fabulous Thunderbirds and somehow didn’t offer Vaughn the guitar gig. “I guess something told me greater things were in store for him,” he said, soon adding Stevie’s older brother Jimmie instead, who helped form the band’s signature sound. After releasing four terrific albums and opening for The Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton, the band was unceremoniously dropped by their label and hit a low point. What followed was a whirlwind of success that included the “Tuff Enuff” single reaching number 10 on the Billboard chart and “Wrap It Up”, which peaked in the top 50, making The Fabulous Thunderbirds a household name.
Wilson has put together a terrific new band for the album and tour: Johnny Moeller (guitar), Bob Welsh (keys/guitar), Rudy Albin Petschauer (drums), and Jersey City resident Steven Kirsty (bass/sax). The album was recorded locally at GD PonderRosa Studios in Lafayette, NJ, with a production team of Wilson, Steve Strongman, Glen Parrish, Geoff Kulawick, legendary mixer Shelly Yakus, and mastering engineers Greg Calbi and Steve Fallone. The Fabulous Thunderbirds continue to cruise down that blues highway, entertaining fans around the world. “I just love music. I love doing it. More than ever,” Wilson said.
The Fabulous Thunderbirds will play a free concert at Oak Ridge Park in Clark, NJ on September 14 at 8:00 p.m.
The Fabulous Thunderbirds, featuring Keb’ Mo’, Bonnie Raitt, Taj Majal, and Mick Fleetwood “Nothing in Rambling”:
The Fabulous Thunderbirds, featuring Billy Gibbons “Payback Time”:
The Fabulous Thunderbirds “Tuff Enuff”:
Muddy Waters Tribute featuring Kim Wilson:
