The Nightcaps Thunderbird

I do not own the copyright to this recording so if it needs to be removed, I will remove it. This video is for entertainment purposes only.

The Nightcaps (1958-) are considered to be the first blues/rock group from Dallas, TX. Their only full length album was an early influence on brothers Jimmie & Stevie Ray Vaughan. It has also been cited as an early favorite by Boz Scaggs & Steve Miller. The album itself was a best seller in Dallas, but was soon bootlegged, a fact that didn't make the group happy, but it increased their influence throughout the South, all the way to Florida. They backed The Coasters at a few gigs, and also opened shows for Jimmy Reed, Bobby Vee, Ike & Tina Turner, and Bo Diddley. A newer version of The Nightcaps still perform shows today. "Thunderbird" was covered by ZZ Top on their 1975 LP "Fandango!"

Composed by The Nightcaps

Billy Joe Shine:Vocals

David Swartz:Lead Guitar

Gene Haufler:Rhythm Guitar

Mario Daboub:Bass

Jack Allday:Drums

Unknown:Piano

Recorded in Dallas, TX., 1960

Originally issued on Vandan 7421 (45 RPM)

This recording taken from the 1998 CD "The Nightcaps:Wine,Wine, Wine"

Category:

Music

Tags:

• The
• Nightcaps
• Texas
• Blues
• Rock
• Dallas
• 1960's
• ZZ
• Top
• Thunderbird

[javajax0987]

Great band, loved them since the 60s. That other punk rock band that's using the Nightcaps name should dream up an original name for their band.

[jollyroger953]

One of the most talented yet underappreciated bands of their era or any era for that matter. great, timeless stuff. Wow, still fresh and clean.

[walkingdead7]

@SouthernR0cker4Life I bought that tape at a truckstop called Flying J in Cheyenne Wyoming.I was a trucker at the time and i must played that tape for a week straight while driving a big rig in the western United States.

[SouthernR0cker4Life]

@walkingdead7 - Same here on the Tape.

[billhoodconsulting]

Yes! Having grown up in Dallas during that period (okay, I was already 13 when they first started performing) I was familiar with the band. I grew up on the same street, just two blocks from the Vaughn household. Jimmy would come up to the house, but Stevie was pretty young then. Who would have known at the time that little Stevie would surpass his brother during his short time on this earth.

[PsychoBluesBand]

justplainfred is so right, but rather than copyright each song individually, gather them into a single work and copyright that. For instance, it's cheaper to copyright a CD than each song on it. Also, join BMI, ASCAP, or SESAC. They'll teach you how to protect yourself.

[justplainfred]

@PsychoBluesBand It was acknowledged in open court that the Nightcaps did indeed write Thunderbird but, they neglected to register the copyright on it. However, ZZ Top DID register the copyright on Thunderbird which is why the Nightcaps lost the lawsuit. Let that be a lesson to all would-be songwriters - ALWAYS REGISTER YOUR ORIGINAL SONGS WITH THE COPYRIGHT OFFICE!!!

[PsychoBluesBand]

Billy Joe Shine is a great guy. The original lead guitar player, Dave Swartz, still plays with the band. They should be wealthy, but too many people ripped them off, including ZZ Top and an insane judge in Houston who apparently doesn't understand plagiarism. The judge couldn't beieve Billy Joe Shine would actually file suit against the great ZZ Top. regardless of who originally wrote the song. That was literally his grounds for dismissing the suit.

[TheNigelc8]

not heard this version before , but its great, love it , love it.

[walkingdead7]

I found the name of this band on a compilation tape called "Texas Garage Bands".When i heard this song i noticed that Cheech sang part of this song in the movie "Up in Smoke",when he was cruising in his lowrider.

[Building529]

And that band Big Bobby and The Nightcaps should dream up an original name also.