James "Thunderbird" Davis

James Louis Huston, better known as James "Thunderbird" Davis (November 10, 1938 – January 24, 1992), was an American Texas blues and electric blues guitarist, singer and songwriter. He recorded several singles for Duke Records in the early 1960s, enjoying moderate success with "Blue Monday" (1963). Dropping from public attention, his career was revived in 1989 with the release of his album, Check Out Time. His second spell of fame was short-lived when Davis died on-stage in 1992, at the age of 53.

Davis was born in Prichard, Alabama, United States. He started performing as a gospel singer in Alabama, before coming to the attention of Guitar Slim in 1957. Davis both opened for Slim and was part of his backing band. It was this connection that led to Slim gifitng Davis his nickname. Following a drinking session with Slim, Davis ended up in hospital after suffering the effects of Thunderbird wine, which Davis vowed to never touch again. Following Slim's death in 1959, Davis worked in the bands of Nappy Brown and Lloyd Lambert.

In 1961, Davis signed a recording contract with Don Robey's Houston-based Duke Records. Initially, Robey used Davis as a demo singer for Bobby Bland, before Davis himself recorded several sides which were released as singles. Both "Blue Monday" (1963) and "Your Turn to Cry" (1964) were lauded critically, but none of his releases with Duke proved to be commercial successes outside of the Deep South. Davis left Duke in 1966, but continued to perform acting as the opening act for both Joe Tex, O. V. Wright, Muddy Waters and B.B. King. Eventually the lack of recognition saw him withdraw for the music industry for almost twenty years.

In 1988, Davis was rediscovered in Houma, Louisiana, by Black Top Records supremo, Hammond Scott. Many at the time had thought that Davis had died. This reawakening led Davis to record his debut album, Check Out Time. The 1989 album contained cover versions of songs originally recorded by Bobby Bland, James Carr, and Wynonie Harris, plus a number of Davis' own compositions, some dating back to the 1960s. The collection had a stellar backing band including the guitarists Anson Funderburgh and Clarence Hollimon, plus saxophonist Grady Gaines, who were named on the record sleeve as the Black Top All-Stars. A re-recording of his self-penned, "Your Turn to Cry", recalled Davis' 1964 glory days. Billboard called Check Out Time the "blues comeback of the year."

In 1990, Davis appeared as the guest vocalist on several tracks of the Hubert Sumlin album, Healing Feeling. However, a mere two months away from recording his own second album, disaster struck. Davis collapsed and died of a heart attack when on-stage, and halfway through his set, at the Blues Saloon in Saint Paul, Minnesota. He was aged 53.

Singles

Albums