Doug Bangham: Guitar

The extraordinary guitar slinger Kid Bangham first came to national prominence in the early eighties when he and his band, Sugar Ray and the Bluetones came roaring out of Boston, Massachusetts to help inspire a generation of roots oriented musicians. After releasing two CD’s and thrilling crowds throughout The United States and Europe with his emotionally wrenching and explosive guitar style, he was tapped by the world famous Sony/Epic recording artists, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, to record and tour extensively in 1990. His lead guitar work, inventive rhythms and creative themes were largely responsible for causing The Fabulous Thunderbirds to progress into a more enduring American tradition by successfully incorporating a broader range of musical influences and styles into their basic Blues and R&B sound. Kid Bangham’s powerful influence as a lead and rhythm guitarist can be felt on two successful Sony/Epic releases, “Walk That Walk, Talk That Talk” and “Hot Stuff” (The Greatest Hits). His authoritative guitar style and instrumental virtuosity continue to inspire and challenge musicians around the world.

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1958, he began playing ukulele at the age of five after hearing Tommy James and The Shondell’s “My Baby Does The Hanky Panky.” He grew up in Pennsylvania where he fell under the sway of the Blues in the mid seventies, honing his chops by listening to and being influenced by a wide range of artists such as Jimmie Reed, Blind Boy Fuller, Robert Johnson, Bill Doggett, B.B. King, Ray Charles, Hank Williams, Louis Armstrong, Jimmie Rodgers (the Singing Brakeman), Muddy Waters, Johnny Winter and Bob Dylan. After traveling to Chicago at the age of 19, he began being influenced by artists such as Eddie Taylor, Jimmy Rogers, Willie Dixon, Robert Lockwood Jr., Sunnyland Slim, Big Walter Horton and Otis Rush, some of whom he studied and played with. Later, after moving to Boston, Massachusetts in 1980, he was introduced to many of the Blues icons from around the country, but was particularly drawn to the recordings and stylings of Lazy Lester, Ike Turner, Sonny Boy Williamson, Freddie King, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Guitar Slim, Albert Collins, Albert King, Lowell Fulson, Jr. Parker, J. B. Lenoir, Lonnie Johnson, Tampa Red, Robert Nighthawk, Otis Rush, Hubert Sumlin, Little Walter, Magic Sam, Memphis Slim, Lonesome Sundown, Pee Wee Crayton, Howlin Wolf, Otis Spann, Slim Harpo, Johnny Littlejohn, Frankie Lee Sims, Johnny Adams, Ben Webster, Jerry McCain, Tiny Grimes, Johnny Guitar Watson, Smiley Lewis, Jimmy T-99 Nelson, Buddy Guy, Eddie Cleanhead Vinson, James Carr, T-Bone Walker, Buddy Johnson, Red Prysock and Sil Austin, several of whom he shared the stage with on many occasions. It was around this time that Kid began being influenced by other contemporary Blues artists such as Ronnie Earl, Duke Robillard and Jimmie Vaughan.

Kid became an official member of Sugar Ray and The Bluetones in 1981. After recording and releasing two well received and influencial records, “Knock Out” (1985) and “Don’t Stand In My Way” (1989), Kid joined The Fabulous Thunderbirds. After a successful run with The Fabulous Thunderbirds lasting almost five years, including two Sony/Epic CD releases, constant world wide touring, performances on “The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno, Austin City Limits founded “Texas Connection,” Ralph Emery’s “Nashville Now” program hosted by Willie Nelson, and Bill Clinton’s Presidential Inauguration, Kid made the radical decision to quit The Fabulous Thunderbirds in order to maintain his individual creative ambitions and spend more time raising his daughter who lived in Pennsylvania. Still musically active though, between 1996 and 2000 Kid paired with the great Detroit vocalist Amyl Justin and released two self-produced CD’s, “Pressure Cooker” (Tone-Cool Records) and “Somebody’s Got To Suffer” (Rainman Records), showcasing not only his virtuosity as a guitar player but also for the first time his ability as a writer. One of his songs, “Face Down In The Blues” was picked up and recorded by The Marshall Tucker Band. In 2001, Kid handled all of the guitar work on a much celebrated release by Telarc Records entitled “Super Harps” featuring the top Blues harmonica legends in the world. It was nominated for a Grammy in 2001. Kid recently contributed a soulful guitar instrumental (once again on the Telarc label) on a heartfelt tribute to the late great Blues legend Charley Patton entitled “Down The Dirt Road”.

Today Doug Bangham is still actively writing and recording (almost none of which is Blues) and only performs occasionally as he is now more interested in developing ways for others to enjoy music and perform. A CD complilation is about to be released to the public featuring a great collection of unreleased live performances and recording highpoints spanning his 22 years as one of the greatest blues guitar slingers of all time.