Thunder Island

Album: Thunder Island (1978)
Charted: 9
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Songfacts®:

  • Jay Ferguson was an original member of the '60s band Spirit, and formed Jo Jo Gunne with his bandmate Mark Andes. He released his first solo album All Alone in the End Zone in 1976, followed by Thunder Island in 1978. Both albums were produced by Bill Szymczyk, who worked with Ferguson on Jo Jo Gunne's albums and also produced for B. B. King, The Eagles and Elvin Bishop. "Thunder Island" was Ferguson's biggest hit, but he did land in the Top-40 once more when "Shakedown Cruise" charted at #31.
  • On this track, Ferguson collaborated with his old friend Joe Walsh, who played all the slide guitar on the track. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Mike - Franklin, Oman

Comments: 9

  • Tony Z from San DiegoAlways loved this song and Shakedown Cruise. I mean, I wasn't even a teenager and I could tell that these songs were underrated even at that time. I have them on multiple playlists on my youtube music
  • Don JonesGreat song, the doo doo doo part is so catchy too.
  • Bender from NyAlways thought this sounded like a lost Eagles track. Joe walsh explains it.
  • MattIs there a real Thunder Island? Is this song based on reality?
  • Al from DetroitHis top 40 hit Shakedown Cruise had an boatswain's whistle towards the end of the song. He should have stuck with the Nautical theme, he had more success.
  • Tony from San DiegoJust a great f--kin' song.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn April 1st 1978, Jay Ferguson performed "Thunder Island" on the ABC-TV program 'American Bandstand'...
    At the time the song was in its first of two weeks at #9 on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart, and that was also its peak position on the chart...
    {See next post below}.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn December 11th 1977, "Thunder Island" by Jay Ferguson entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #88; and fifteen weeks later on March 26th, 1978 it peaked at #9 {for 2 weeks} and spent 21 weeks on the Top 100...
    As stated above, as solo artist, he had one other Top 100 record, "Shakedown Cruise", it reached #31 and stayed on the chart for 14 weeks...
    In 1969 he was a member of the group Spirit; and on March 9th of that year the group's biggest hit, "I Got A Line On You", peaked at #25 for 2 weeks...
    Then in 1972 as leader of the group Jo Jo Gunne they scored their only Top 100 record with "Run Run Run", it reached #27 {for 2 weeks} on April 30th of that year...
    John Arden 'Jay" Ferguson will celebrate his 68th birthday come next May 10th {2015}.
  • Brad from Barry, TxMy favorite song of all time...well, at least for the time being. Just a great song with some fine vocals by Jay Ferguson and you really can't beat Joe Walsh on the slide guitar. Thanks to Songfacts for finally giving us an entry here!
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