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34-745: The Fabulous Thunderbirds is an American blues band formed in 1974. Singer Kim Wilson is the only constant member through the band's entire history. Their 1986 album Tuff Enuff sold over a million copies, and spawned two minor hit singles: the title track and "Wrap It Up". 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 harmonica, Jimmie Vaughan as lead guitarist, and Keith Ferguson on bass guitar. Mike Buck

68-534: A form of heavy rock. Jimmy Page , who replaced Beck in the Yardbirds, followed suit with Led Zeppelin and became a major force in the 1970s heavy metal scene. Other blues rock musicians in the 1970s include Dr. Feelgood , Rory Gallagher and Robin Trower . Beginning in the early 1970s, American bands such as Aerosmith fused blues with a hard rock edge. Blues rock grew to include Southern rock bands, like

102-633: A joint venture with House of Blues ' record label, featuring such artists as Cissy Houston and John Mooney . In 2001, Private Music became part of the short-lived Arista Associated Labels , which also included Windham Hill Records . By 2004, after Sony and BMG merged, the label's releases switched to RCA . Following his Private Music tenure, Goldstein served as president and CEO of the Verve Music Group label at Universal Music Group , in New York City. Private Music has released

136-718: A more aggressive sound common to rock. In the UK, the style was popularized by groups such as the Rolling Stones , the Yardbirds , and the Animals , who put several blues songs into the pop charts. In the US, Lonnie Mack , the Paul Butterfield Blues Band , and Canned Heat were among the earliest exponents. Some of these bands also played long, involved improvisations as were then commonplace on jazz records. In

170-775: Is Cream 's " Crossroads ". Although it was adapted from Robert Johnson 's " Cross Road Blues ", the bass "combines with drums to create and continually emphasize continuity in the regular metric drive". Rock music uses driving rhythms and electric guitar techniques such as distortion and power chords already used by 1950s electric blues guitarists, particularly Memphis bluesmen such as Joe Hill Louis , Willie Johnson and Pat Hare . Characteristics that blues rock adopted from electric blues include its dense texture, basic blues band instrumentation, rough declamatory vocal style, heavy guitar riffs , string-bending blues-scale guitar solos, strong beat, thick riff-laden texture, and posturing performances. Precursors to blues rock included

204-693: The Chicago blues musicians Elmore James , Albert King , and Freddie King , who began incorporating rock and roll elements into their blues music during the late 1950s to early 1960s. 1963 marked the appearance of American rock guitar soloist Lonnie Mack , whose idiosyncratic, fast-paced electric blues guitar style came to be identified with the advent of blues rock as a distinct genre. His instrumentals from that period were recognizable as blues or rhythm and blues tunes, but he relied heavily upon fast-picking techniques derived from traditional American country and bluegrass genres. The best-known of these are

238-486: The 1963 Billboard hit singles " Memphis " and "Wham!". Around the same time, the Paul Butterfield Blues Band was formed. Fronted by blues harp player and singer Paul Butterfield , it included two members from Howlin' Wolf 's touring band, bassist Jerome Arnold and drummer Sam Lay , and later two electric guitarists, Mike Bloomfield and Elvin Bishop . In 1965, its debut album, The Paul Butterfield Blues Band

272-548: The 1990s, which saw guitarists Gary Moore , Jeff Healey , and Kenny Wayne Shepherd become popular concert attractions. Female blues singers such as Bonnie Raitt , Susan Tedeschi , Sue Foley , Joanne Shaw Taylor and Shannon Curfman recorded blues rock albums. Groups such as the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion and the White Stripes brought an edgier, more diverse style into the 2000s, while

306-667: The Allman Brothers Band , ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd , while the British scene, except for the advent of groups such as Status Quo and Foghat , became focused on heavy metal innovation. While blues rock and hard rock shared many similarities in the early 1970s, more traditional blues styles influenced blues rock in the 1980s, when the Fabulous Thunderbirds , Stevie Ray Vaughan , Georgia Satellites and Robert Cray recorded their best-known works, and

340-531: The Black Keys returned to basics. Gary Clark Jr. , known for his fusing of blues, rock and soul, has been classified as a blues rock artist, with Rolling Stone ' s Jonathan Bernstein referring to Clark's albums Blak and Blu (2012) and The Story of Sonny Boy Slim (2015) as "steeped in a sleek, modern blues-rock production style". Formed in 2017, Bulls of Prey is a successful Hungarian band in this genre. Private Music Private Music

374-619: The Doors and Big Brother and the Holding Company with Janis Joplin , also adapted songs by blues artists to include elements of rock. Butterfield, Canned Heat, and Joplin performed at the Monterey (1967) and Woodstock (1969) festivals. In the UK, several musicians honed their skills in a handful of British blues bands, primarily those of Cyril Davies and Alexis Korner . While the early British rhythm and blues groups, such as

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408-633: The Fabulous Thunderbirds lineup for 2016 will be Steve Gomes on bass, Kevin Anker on keyboards, Wes Watkins on drums, with holdover Johnny Moeller on guitar. This lineup plus drummer Rob Stupka recorded the album Strong Like That released in August 2016. Former bassist Preston Hubbard (born on March 15, 1953, in Providence, Rhode Island ) was found dead at his home in St. Louis , Missouri, on August 17, 2016, at

442-472: The I. The Allman Brothers Band 's version of " Stormy Monday ", which uses chord substitutions based on Bobby "Blue" Bland 's 1961 rendition, adds a solo section where "the rhythm shifts effortlessly into an uptempo 6/8-time jazz feel". The key is usually major , but can also be minor , such as in " Black Magic Woman ". One notable difference is the frequent use of a straight eighth-note or rock rhythm instead of triplets usually found in blues. An example

476-419: The Rolling Stones , the Yardbirds , and the Animals , incorporated American R&B , rock and roll , and pop , John Mayall took a more distinctly electric blues approach. In 1966, he released Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton , the first of several influential blues rock albums. When Eric Clapton left Mayall to form Cream , they created a hybrid style with blues, rock, and jazz improvisation , which

510-558: The age of 63. Former keyboardist Gene Taylor died on February 20, 2021. Albums Compilation albums Live albums Singles Blues rock Blues rock started with rock musicians in the United Kingdom and the United States performing American blues songs. They typically recreated electric Chicago blues songs, such as those by Willie Dixon , Muddy Waters , and Jimmy Reed , at faster tempos and with

544-656: The band after three years to pursue a solo career and open the Carver School of Music and the Carver Institute of Rock in Carver, Massachusetts. In the early 1990s, Kim Wilson recorded a pair of solo albums while continuing to tour with the Fabulous Thunderbirds. In 1994, the band recorded its ninth album, Roll of the Dice , which was released on Private Music in 1995. High Water followed in 1997, although this

578-465: 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

612-465: The band without a contract for four years. While still in limbo, the Fabulous Thunderbirds continued to play concerts across the US. 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 featured on the 1983 Carlos Santana album Havana Moon . In 1985, the band landed another recording contract with Epic / Associated . The single " Tuff Enuff "

646-474: The catalogs of Yanni , Leo Kottke , Andy Summers , and Ravi Shankar , with strong "debut support" for A. J. Croce and Susan Werner . An international marketing department was added, led by longtime Sony Music executive J.P. Bommel. Private Music's recordings earned multiple Grammy Awards and nominations, including Etta James's first career win, in 1994, for best jazz vocal performance on Mystery Lady: Songs of Billie Holiday , her debut of three albums on

680-423: The core of the music played on album-oriented rock radio in the United States, and later the classic rock format established there during the 1980s. Blues rock can be characterized by bluesy improvisation , extended boogie jams typically focused on electric guitar solos, and often a heavier, riff -oriented sound and feel to the songs than found in typical Chicago-style blues . Blues rock bands "borrow[ed]

714-540: The early-mid-1960s) and his power trios , the Jimi Hendrix Experience and Band of Gypsys , had a broad and lasting influence on the development of blues rock, especially for guitarists. Clapton continued to explore several musical styles and contributed to bringing blues rock into the mainstream. In the late 1960s, Jeff Beck , with his band the Jeff Beck Group , developed blues rock into

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748-586: The first high-resolution multi-track recordings of a live concert event. The companion CD Live! was released in 2001.; the companion DVD, Invitation Only , presents this event in standard resolution due to limitations of the format. The band recorded Painted On in 2005, produced by Steve Berlin (of Los Lobos ) and featuring Rachel Nagy of the Detroit Cobras on the track "Love Speaks Louder Than Words". Guitarist Nick Curran joined Wilson on vocals for "Two Time Fool". In 2016, Kim Wilson announced that

782-404: The idea of an instrumental combo and loud amplification from rock & roll". It is also often played at a fast tempo, again distinguishing it from the blues. Blues rock songs often follow typical blues structures, such as twelve-bar blues , sixteen-bar blues , etc. They also use the I - IV - V progression, though there are exceptions, some pieces having a "B" section, while others remain on

816-507: The label. Private's roster achieved high recognition on national television. Numerous artist appearances included interviews and performances on late-night talk shows and morning shows, MTV, and VH1. Private's Grammy winner Taj Mahal spawned the Grammy-winning Phantom Blues Band. With its increasing influence in blues and roots music, and at the peak of its performance in record sales, Private Music entered into

850-445: The late 1960s and early 1970s, the style became more hard rock-oriented. In the US, Johnny Winter , the early Allman Brothers Band , and ZZ Top represented a hard rock trend, along with Led Zeppelin , Ten Years After , Savoy Brown , and Foghat in the UK. In the 1980s, more traditional blues styles influenced blues rock, which continues into the 2000s, with more of a return to basics. Along with hard rock, blues rock songs became

884-781: The offices from New York City to Los Angeles, hiring Karen Johnson to expand the label's image. Baumann recruited the well-respected, mainstream A&R executive Jamie Cohen. Visual image was important to Goldstein, who handpicked art director Melanie Penny, previously of Virgin Records and Warner Bros., as VP, Creative Services, through the life of Private Music. Private Music emphasized its "artist re-development" efforts, supporting such eclectic veteran artists as Taj Mahal, Ringo Starr, Etta James, Jennifer Warnes , The Fabulous Thunderbirds , Toots Thielemans , Jimmy Witherspoon , Kate & Anna McGarrigle , Eliza Gilkyson , Joy Askew , The Pahinui Brothers , and Kenny Rankin , while expanding

918-616: Was a success, based in part on its inclusion in the 1988 film Cocktail . Jimmie Vaughan left the band in 1990 to record an album with his brother Stevie Ray Vaughan , Family Style . Following Stevie Ray's death in 1990, Jimmie pursued a full-time solo career. The band then embarked on a long series of lineup changes and albums throughout the 1990s. The Fabulous Thunderbirds replaced Vaughan with two guitarists, Duke Robillard and Kid Bangham. Long-time drummer Fran Christina left in 1996 and went on to join with Marcia Ball and later Doug Sahm's Last Real Texas Blues Band. Doug "Kid" Bangham left

952-475: Was actually a collaboration between Wilson and studio musicians Steve Jordan and Danny Kortchmar issued under the Fabulous Thunderbirds name. Former bassist Keith Ferguson died of liver failure on April 29, 1997, at the age of 50. On the evening of February 16, 2000, the Fabulous Thunderbirds were the first band ever to be broadcast on the Internet using high-definition cameras in what is claimed to be one of

986-403: Was also used in the 1987 movie Hot Pursuit . The Vaughan–Wilson composition "Twist It Off" appears in the 1987 Michael J. Fox and Joan Jett film Light of Day and on the issued soundtrack. The band also appears in the film performing the song live. The Fabulous Thunderbirds' next album, Hot Number , fell off the charts quickly. But following that, their recording of " Powerful Stuff "

1020-755: Was an American independent record label founded in 1984 by musician Peter Baumann as a "home for instrumental music". Baumann signed Ravi Shankar , Yanni , Suzanne Ciani , Andy Summers , Patrick O'Hearn , Leo Kottke , and his former bandmates, Tangerine Dream . The label specialized in New age music but made a sharp turn to the mainstream by signing Taj Mahal , Ringo Starr , Etta James , and A. J. Croce . Its albums were distributed by BMG (the label's earliest recordings having been distributed by RCA), which bought Private Music in 1996. In 1989, Baumann hired veteran music executive Ron Goldstein of Warner Bros. Records as Private Music's president and CEO. Goldstein moved

1054-580: Was featured in the 1986 film Gung Ho . It was also featured in the film Tough Guys , as was the follow-up single, "Wrap It Up", which went to number 50 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. "Tuff Enuff" remains the band's only Top 40 hit, peaking at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album Tuff Enuff went gold in several countries and was subsequently certified platinum in the United States, with sales of over one million. The band's music

The Fabulous Thunderbirds - Misplaced Pages Continue

1088-530: 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

1122-733: Was released. AllMusic 's Michael Erlewine commented, "Used to hearing blues covered by groups like the Rolling Stones, that first album had an enormous impact on young (and primarily White) rock players." The second album East West (1966) introduced extended soloing – the 13 minute instrumental title track included jazz and Indian raga influences – that served as a model for psychedelic and acid rock . In 1965, avid blues collectors Bob Hite and Alan Wilson formed Canned Heat . Their early recordings focused heavily on electric versions of Delta blues songs, but soon began exploring long musical improvisations (" jams ") built around John Lee Hooker songs. Other popular mid-1960s groups, such as

1156-479: Was the most innovative to date. British band Fleetwood Mac initially played traditionally-oriented electric blues, but soon evolved. Their guitarist Peter Green , who was Clapton's replacement with Mayall, brought many innovations to their music. Chicken Shack , early Jethro Tull , Keef Hartley Band and Climax Blues Band recorded blues rock songs. The electric guitar playing of Jimi Hendrix (a veteran of many American rhythm and blues and soul groups from

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