The Fabulous Thunderbirds Release New Single and Title Track ‘Struck Down By The Blues’ featuring Steve Strongman
“I think Struck Down is my best album with The Fabulous Thunderbirds… by far.” – Kim Wilson
The Fabulous Thunderbirds are heading towards their 50th anniversary and celebrate it with their upcoming album Struck Down out June 28th.
An all-star cast of special guests join in on the album including Billy F Gibbons, Bonnie Raitt, Taj Mahal, Keb’ Mo’ and Mick Fleetwood. Additional contributions on the new disc come from Elvin Bishop, Terrance Simien and Canadian blues guitar ace Steve Strongman, who co-wrote with Kim Wilson nine of the album’s 10 tracks.
The catalyst for the recording sessions happened when blues guitarist Steve Strongman hooked up with Kim Wilson on a trial basis to write some songs. Thunderbirds manager Glen Parrish had convinced an at-first hesitant Kim Wilson to give it a try by co-writing with Strongman, who flew down to California from Canada. As a songwriting team, they clicked immediately.
“In the first three days, we wrote five songs,” recalled Wilson. “He came back for another three days, and we wrote 12 songs. I would say there was chemistry there.” Together, Wilson and Strongman wrote 17 songs. They selected nine originals and one cover tune for Struck Down.
JUNO Award-winner Steve Strongman guests on this rocking blues number. His guitar riffs sting and strut, in tandem with Kim Wilson’s powerful vocals. Strongman then lets loose with a sinewy guitar solo with tone for days. With assistance from the strong horns, organ, and tight rhythm section, The Fabulous Thunderbirds kick this new track into high gear and keep it there. These great musicians are on fire!
“Struck Down By The Blues” Feat. Steve Strongman
Pre-order/pre-save the album see HERE
About the album, Strongman says, “Working with Kim Wilson and the Thunderbirds was a very organic process. I snuck into a club to see Kim play with Mel Brown in Canada when I was 16 years old, so I have always held him in the highest regard. I could tell we had a mutual respect for each other after the initial writing sessions in California. The songs just seemed to flow naturally, we both had very open minds during the process, and there was great energy in the room while we wrote these songs. He is a true living legend, and it has been an incredible experience to co-write this record with Kim, and to produce this album with Kim and Glen Parrish.”
When talking about the full-time members of the Thunderbirds, Wilson proclaimed, “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.”
Formed in 1974, The Fabulous Thunderbirds is a familiar name for anyone into contemporary blues and blues rock. This is the band 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. Led by founding member Kim Wilson, The Fabulous Thunderbirds have been nominated for Grammy Awards six times and for Blues Music Awards more than 20 times. The Fabulous Thunderbirds continue to tour internationally, selling out venues and headlining festivals with the current line-up of Kim Wilson on vocals and harmonica, Johnny Moeller on guitar, Bob Welsh on keyboards and guitar, Rudy Albin on drums and Steve Kirsty on bass.
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