Edell & The Thunderbirds
Portland, Oregon
1961 ~ 1968
Members
Edell
Anglin ~ Guitar
Richard
Burns ~ Drums
Jim
Butcher ~ Saxophone
Reuben
Huber ~ Bass
Gary
Neiland ~ Drums
Tom
Smith ~ Drums
Allan
Zion ~ Saxophone
Edell
Anglin ~ Guitar
Richard
Burns ~ Drums
Jim
Butcher ~ Saxophone
Reuben
Huber ~ Bass
Gary
Neiland ~ Drums
Tom
Smith ~ Drums
Allan
Zion ~ Saxophone
The Thunderbirds played around Portland from 1961 thru 1968. We started at the Harmony Inn on 82nd Street in 1961. In 1964 we moved to The Longhorn Steak House on 94th and Sandy. This was an after-hours club where we played six nights per week plus after hours on weekends. We were drawing the largest crowds in Portland at that time. Many big name artists visited and sat in. Paul Revere played our off night for a few weeks. There was a raft floating in the swimming pool with go-go dancers.We recorded "Good Golly Miss Molly" and "Dreamin' which was played on local radio stations on the nightly "Battle of the Bands". The record was finally retired as undefeated champion, after several weeks of listener's phoning in and voting for it.
While at the Longhorn, we added a second drummer, Tom Smith, who did nightly drum battles with Dick Burns, receiving standing ovations nightly, plus rave reviews from Pat Pattee, disc jockey for KISN radio. Allan Zion was added on tenor sax. The Thunderbirds added four dancers in 1968 and traveled to Reno, Lake Tahoe and Las Vegas after leaving Portland.
Today Edell is living in Las Vegas, still involved in the music business after 40 years. Jim Butcher and Al Zion still live in Portland, playing with groups. Reuben Huber lives outside Las Vegas, and Dick Burns lives outside L.A. California.
Edell Anglin, June 2002
Edell Anglin has taken up residence in Reno, Nevada. Dick Burns was living in Waycross, Georgia and is now residing in Las Vegas, Nevada where he is still playing drums in the 'blues' scene.
Dick Burns, May 2010
Band # 570