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 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 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 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. 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 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 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. 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 the age of 63. He had abused his body for years with drugs and alcohol, but had been clean for years before his death Former keyboardist Gene Taylor, who also played with Canned Heat and the Blasters, died on February 20, 2021. He was found dead in his bed in his Austin, Texas, home, which had been without heat for several days during the severe 2021 Texas power crisis. ==Lineups==