About

The Fabulous Thunderbirds Release New Album, Struck Down

Guest Musicians include:

Bonnie Raitt
Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top)
Mick Fleetwood (Fleetwood Mac)
Taj Mahal
Elvin Bishop
Keb’ Mo’
Terrance Simien

“I think Struck Down is my best album with The Fabulous Thunderbirds… by far.”

That is an amazing statement from Kim Wilson, the band’s leader, main songwriter, vocalist, and harmonica player. This is the group that created classic albums like T-Bird Rhythm and Tuff Enuff. Powered by hits like the title track and “Wrap It Up,” Tuff Enuff went platinum, selling more than one million copies. Wilson has been nominated for Grammy Awards six times and for Blues Music Awards more than 20 times. Muddy Waters called Wilson his favorite vocalist and the greatest harmonica player since Little Walter.

So, when a musician with Wilson’s stature and body of work says The Fabulous Thunderbirds just created their “best album… by far,” you pay attention.

Even more amazing… the album almost didn’t happen.

Wilson said that Geoff Kulawick at Stony Plain Records told him “I want to sign you, but I have one stipulation: You have to write with my guy.”

To which Wilson replied, "I can’t do that.”

Thunderbirds manager Glen Parrish, who is also one of the album producers, convinced Wilson to give it a try. “If it is not working out, I will take him right back to the airport,” said Parrish.

Steve Strongman was that guy. He flew down to California from Canada.

“In the first three days, we wrote five songs,” said Wilson. “He came back for another three days, and we wrote 12 songs. I would say there was a chemistry there.”

Wilson and Strongman wrote 17 songs. They selected nine originals and one cover tune for this album.

Then Wilson called a few friends.

The first single, “Payback Time,” features Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top on guitar and backing vocals.

“Billy is someone I talk to on a pretty regular basis,” said Wilson. “He is a dear friend, a great musician, and he knows how to make a record.”

Regarding the great interplay on the track between Gibbons’ guitar and Wilson’s harmonica, Wilson said, “It was really all him. Being the great musician that he is, he created that conversation.”

The cover tune “Nothing in Rambling” is overflowing with talent. The track features Bonnie Raitt on vocals and acoustic guitar, Keb’ Mo‘ on vocals and slide guitar, Taj Mahal on vocals, and Mick Fleetwood on drums and percussion.

“All of these people I have the utmost respect for,” said Wilson. “Taj Mahal was one of my very first influences. He is one of the reasons I started playing the harmonica. Bonnie Raitt and I have always been very close. I love what she does. I love her voice. I love Keb’s voice. And Mick was kind enough to put his performance on that track as well.”

Struck Down is that rare album where every track could be a single. From the solid punch of “Struck Down by The Blues” to the Cajun-flavored “Don’t Make No Sense” to the wistful “Sideline,” this is a record filled with character and heart.

“The material is fantastic,” said Wilson. “The performances are great. And sonically it is incredible, because it was mixed by Shelly Yakus and mastered by Greg Calbi and Steve Fallone. They are the very best there is.”

When talking about the full-time members of the Thunderbirds, Wilson said, “The strength of this band has inspired me to be more creative. This band really allows me to do anything I want to do: modern, traditional, anything in between. They are masters of it all.”

And as for what’s next…

“I'm far from finished.”

The Fabulous Thunderbirds

Kim Wilson – lead vocals, harmonica
Johnny Moeller – guitar
Bob Welsh – piano / guitar
Rudy Albin – drums
Steve Kirsty – bass

Johnny Moeller (guitar)

Johnny Moeller’s developed into one of the genre’s most stunning and soulful six-string stylists with an uncanny ability to support heavy hitters. Although his most visible gig is the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Moeller’s also the Severn Records house guitarist. In that role, he has lent artful licks to albums by stellar vocalists Darrell Nulisch and Lou Pride, harmonica ace Steve Guyger, and others. Johnny has three solo releases to his credit: 1996’s The Return of the Funky Worm, 2001’s Johnny Blues Aggregation, and Bloogalooin 2010.

Bob Welsh (piano / guitar)

Hailing from Covington, LA, Bob moved to the Bay Area in his late teens, where he’s been part of the roots music scene for almost 20 years. He started out in the Rusty Zinn band, and from there has backed up and toured with multiple luminaries all over the world, including Charlie Musselwhite, John Nemeth, Mark Hummel, and several others. He was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album twice, both times as part of Elvin Bishop’s Big Fun Trio.

Rudy Albin (drums)

From Vancouver, B.C., Rudy Albin has had a long association with Jazz/Blues organist Jack McDuff, appearing on five of his records. Albin has also worked extensively with both the Glenn Miller and Tommy Dorsey orchestras. More recently, he has been an A-list hired gun with the Brooklyn-based Daptone Retro SoulLabel, touring and recording with the Sugarman 3, Lee Fields, and The James Hunter 6.

Steve Kirsty (bass)

Born in Schenectady, NY, and residing in Jersey City, NJ, Steven was born into a family of musicians and music teachers. He has performed throughout America, Spain, and Israel with numerous blues and jazz artists. He is also a saxophonist and piano tuner/technician. His playing is featured on albums such as Charles Cornell’s Time Tales and Your Choice, Nic Cacioppo’s Time in Motion and Beginning to End, and Vin Mott’s Rogue Hunter and Country Blues.