Artist:The Fabulous Thunderbirds
Song:Wrap It Up
Album:Wrap It Up
The Fabulous Thunderbirds had a brief period of mainstream success in 1986 but they were a big part of popularizing the regional music of Austin, TX. The group was started in 1974 by vocalist/harmonica player Kim Wilson (born Jan. 6, 1951 in Detroit) & guitarist Jimmie Vaughan (born Mar. 20, 1951 in Dallas). Other original members were Keith Ferguson on bass & Mike Buck on drums. They built a following backing up touring blues musicians in Austin. This got them a record contract with indie label Takoma Records. Their 1979 debut album got the attention of Chrysalis Records. The records were good but Chrysalis didn't seem to have a clue about how to promote the band. So they were dropped in 1982. Meanwhile former Roomful Of Blues drummer Fran Christina & bassist Preston Hubbard replaced Buck & Ferguson. The Fabulous Thunderbirds signed with Epic Records in 1985 and went to England to record the album Tuff Enuff with producer Dave Edmunds. That turned out to be the right move as the single Tuff Enuff and the follow up Wrap It Up crossed over to the mainstream charts. Wrap It Up is a cover of an Isaac Hayes/David Porter song originally recorded by Sam & Dave. The album Tuff Enuff went platinum. Their follow up albums were more commercial and didn't do as well and they alienated their core following. And Jimmie Vaughan left in 1990 to form a band with his brother Stevie Ray Vaughan. He was replaced by Duke Robillard. Epic dropped The Fabulous Thunderbirds in 1991. This budget comp covers their Epic recordings but I recommend checking out their earlier recordings too. Kim Wilson has recorded some solo stuff and reformed the group in 2004. Jimmie Vaughan went solo after his brother died and recorded a tribute album to Jimmy Reed in 2007. Here's the video for Wrap It Up by The Fabulous Thunderbirds.
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