For the past 3… Read Full Bio ↴Taken from their web-pages (www.fabulousthunderbirds.com)
For the past 30 years, The Fabulous Thunderbirds have been the quintessential American band. The group's distinctive and powerful sound, influenced by a diversity of musical styles, manifested itself into a unique musical hybrid via such barnburners as "Tuff Enuff" and "Wrap It Up". Co-founder Kim Wilson, the sole original member, still spearheads the group as it evolves into its newest incarnation.
"We started as a straight blues band", vocalist and harmonica player Wilson says. "We now incorporate a mixture of a lot of different styles. We're an American music band and we're much higher energy than we were before."
In addition to Wilson, the current Thunderbirds line-up features Kirk Fletcher and Nick Curran on guitar, Jimi Bott on drums, Ronnie James Weber on bass and Gene Taylor on keyboards.
"To be in the T-Birds, you need to understand the different styles of music and different ways of playing," Wilson comments. "You have to be willing to adopt a more contemporary style. The guys we have now are able to do that."
The band will tour extensively. The plan is to record a new studio album followed by a live CD. Wilson is currently writing songs on his own, with band members and other writers.
"I've primarily been a solo songwriter, but I'm looking forward to experimenting with the guys in the band," Wilson says.
The thread throughout the T-Birds career has been the respect the group commanded for its peerless musicianship and devotion to the sounds of blues, R & B and rock 'n roll. In fact, Muddy Waters called Wilson his favorite harmonica player and vocalist. "Muddy Waters was very good to me," Wilson says. "He almost adopted me. I'll never forget him."
For Kim Wilson, the musical journey started in Goleta, California. At 17 he began playing the harmonica. His influences included Little Walter, George "Harmonica" Smith, Lazy Lester and James Cotton. At the same time, Wilson began singing and was deeply impacted by Bobby "Blue" Bland, B.B. King, Otis Rush, Jimmy Rodgers and Muddy Waters. In search of other musicians who shared his love of the blues, Wilson headed to Minneapolis. He stayed there for a year and a half, playing locally, before moving to the burgeoning music scene of Austin, Texas. It was there that he met Jimmie Vaughan and they founded the T-Birds in 1974. The band developed a reputation as a compelling live act and subsequently signed a record deal with CBS/Epic Records.
In 1979, The Fabulous Thunderbirds released their first self-titled album. Primarily blues influenced, it became a cult classic. "Things were wide open back then," Wilson recalls. "There were hundreds of stages where bands could show what they had."
In subsequent releases, the band started to incorporate more Cajun, rock 'n roll and soul influences. The album "T-Bird Rhythm" marked a creative turning point for the group as it collaborated with noted producer Nick Lowe. In 1986, The Fabulous Thunderbirds reached a commercial peak with the album, "Tuff Enuff". The single of the same title as well as the singles "Wrap It Up" and "Look At That", all went top 40. The song, "Tuff Enuff" was featured in the film "Gung Ho" starring Michael Keaton.
For the remainder of the '80s, the band continued to record and tour, and released the album, "Powerful Stuff". Jimmie Vaughn left in 1989 but Wilson kept the group going, incorporating keyboards into the guitar-driven sound. Kim moved back to California in 1996, continuing to cultivate the T-Birds music.
"The thing about the T-Birds is that we can play both blues festival and rock venues," Wilson comments. "We're a diversified band now and everybody's on the same page."
As a side project Wilson formed Kim Wilson's Blues Revue, a traditional blues band. He also owns a blues label, Blue Collar Music, that has released three albums - one by Kim, one by "Big Al" Blake and one by Fred Kaplan. Wilson has also recorded and written with noted session guitarist Danny Kortchmar and drummer Steve Jordan and may tour with them at some point. However his current focus remains The Fabulous Thunderbirds. "This is a great time for this band," he says. "We're looking forward to the future."
You Ain't Nothin' But Fine
Fabulous Thunderbirds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You shouldn't be walking all alone
Little girl let me walk you home
You know I won't do you no wrong
Come on and tell me what's your name
Little girl let me hold your hand
Come on and try to understand
Cause you ain't noting but fine, fine, fine
You ain't nothing but fine, fine, fine
You ain't nothing but fine, fine, fine
You ain't nothing but fine, fine, fine
And I wish you was mine, mine, mine.
Little girl let me walk you home
You shouldn't be walking all alone
Little girl let me walk you home
You know I won't do you no wrong
Cause you ain't noting but fine, fine, fine
You ain't nothing but fine, fine, fine
You ain't nothing but fine, fine, fine
You ain't nothing but fine, fine, fine
And I wish you was mine, mine, mine.
The Fabulous Thunderbirds' song You Ain't Nothin' But Fine is a classic rock and roll tune that showcases the band's signature blues rock style. The lyrics reflect the singer's smooth-talking attempt to woo a young woman he comes across while walking down the street. He offers to escort her home, reassuring her that he won't do her any harm. He then tries to strike up a conversation with the girl, asking for her name and subtly expressing his desire to be with her. The refrain of the song repeats the sentiment that this woman is nothing but fine, and the singer can't help but wish that she was his.
Line by Line Meaning
Little girl let me walk you home
I want to escort you safely home, as it's not safe for you to walk alone.
You shouldn't be walking all alone
It's not safe for a young woman like you to be walking by yourself.
You know I won't do you no wrong
You can trust me, I have no intention of doing anything harmful to you.
Come on and tell me what's your name
What is your name? I want to get to know you better.
Little girl let me hold your hand
May I hold your hand? It's a gesture of affection and care.
Come on and try to understand
Please try to see things from my perspective.
I wanna be your candyman
I want to be the one who brings sweetness and joy into your life.
Cause you ain't noting but fine, fine, fine
You are incredibly attractive and desirable.
And I wish you was mine, mine, mine.
I wish I could have you as my own girlfriend or partner.
Lyrics © KARIN MUSIC
Written by: FLOYD SOILEAU, SIDNEY SIMIEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Thomas Tarwater
They’re still a great band. As long as Kim Wilson is singing and blowing that blues harp, there will always be the Fabulous Thunderbirds. Nuff said.
John DePew
I'm going to give my vote to The Fabulous Thunderbirds! performance at the 1981 Chicago Fest, WOW!!! absolutely the best performance.
scott cunningham
This is a great version I I love rockpiles just as well.
John DePew
At its best when heard live
trfesok
In my T-Birds playlist with the original version. Thanks for the upload!
cuda426hemi
In the 80's when music really sucked - Blasters and T-Birds and then Stevie reminded us it's okay to play the blues as long as you can afford to pay up front for the notes like each one cost you a thousands bucks- so make them count.
NatureBoy1957
Damn this was a great band.
John DePew
I also ran into a couple of the band mates after the show on the street. That was a big treat for me.
Billy Roues
Love this. Check out Rockin' Sidney's zydeco version of this.
Randy Backgammon
Short(very)and sweet(very)