The Nighthawks

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formed 1972 in Washington. D.C.

Members:
Jimmy Thackery - guitar (1972 - 1987)
Gregg Wetzel - keyboards (1983 - )
Mike Cowen - keyboards, backing vocals (1990 - 1992)
Danny Morris - guitar, vocals (1990 - 1994)
Jan Zukowski - bass, backing vocals (1976 - 2004) born: July 10, 1950 in Washington, D.C.
Pete Kanaras - guitar (1995 - 2004)

Mark Wenner - harmonica, vocals (1972 - ) born: November 2, 1948 in Washington, D.C.
Pete Ragusa - drums, vocals, backing vocals (1976 - ) born: March 8, 1949 in Washington, D.C.
Paul Bell - guitar, vocals (2004 - )
Johnny Castle - bass, vocals (2004 - )

The Nighthawks' history is extensive, beginning in the '70s when the band criss-crossed the country playing clubs and colleges then dominated by the sounds of country rock and disco. The band spread their version of roots rock, soul, and rockabilly and blues that was hardly the standard fare. In addition The Nighthawks were considered touring pioneers, since only a handful of Chicago blues stars were touring nationally, and the west coast blues bands stayed on their side of the Great Divide.

The Nighthawks continued to perform through-out the country, when in 1986 they performed their hugely successful "Farewell-For-Now-Tour". After long-timer Jim Thackery departed for a solo career and short-timer Greg Wetzel returned to Nashville, The Nighthawks stopped just long enough to catch their breath. They reformed a few times over the next several years while continuing to tour relentlessly. The first line-up featured Jimmy Hall (lead vocals and saxophone and harp) and Jimmy Nalls (lead guitar and back-up vocals) and lasted through 1990. When those two left, Danny Morris (lead guitar and vocals) and Mike Cowen (keyboards and back-up vocals) joined the group. In 1992, Mike left the group to go to college and at the end of 1994 Danny left to pursue a solo career. Thereafter, Pete Kanaras joined the band in January of 1995 and continues with the band to this date.

Over the years the Nighthawks acquired a reputation as a solid back-up band. The band helped attract great Chicago blues artists to Washington, D.C., and gained national respect as the backing band or support act for Muddy Waters, Otis Rush, Big Walter Horton and other legends. In addition, Jan, Pete and Mark went on a series of tours with Elvin Bishop and participated in the Rosebud Agency's blues all-star tours, which combined such illustrious front men as Pinetop Perkins, John Hammond, Charlie Musselwhite and John Lee Hooker. The list of guitarists the band collaborated with reads like a Who's Who of great pickers including Bob Margolin, Steuard Smith, Warren Haynes, James Solberg, Pete Kennedy, Phil Petroff and Ratso.

Touring and recording for three decades, The Nighthawks have certainly gained cult standing on the east coast where fans, who regard them as "The World's Greatest Bar Band," loyally follow them from show to show and are eagerly anticipating the release of Still Wild. Copyright © RUF Records (used with permission)

Albums:
- Rock and Roll [Aladdin 101, 1972]
- Open All Nite [Adelphi 4105, 1976] with Pinetop Perkins
- Live at the Psyche Delly [Adelphi 4110, 1976]
- Side Pocket Shot [Adelphi 4115, 1977] with David Maxwell, The Rhythm Kings Horns
- Jacks & Kings Volume I & II [Adelphi 4120, 1979] with Guitar Junior, Calvin "Fuzz" Jones, David Maxwell, Pinetop Perkins
- The Nighthawks [Mercury 3833, 1980]
- Times Four [Adelphi 4130, 1982]
- 10 Years Live [Chesapeake 101, 1982]
- Rock 'n' Roll [Varrick 7, 1983] reissue of their first album
- Hot Spot [Varrick 9, 1984]
- Hard Living [Varrick 22, March 1986] with Steuart Smith
- Live in Europe [Crosscut, 1987]
- Backtrack - Live [Varrick 36, 1988] with John Hammond, Luther "Guitar Jr" Johnson, Bob Margolin, Pinetop Perkins, Toru Oki
- Best of the Nighthawks [Genes 4140, 1990] with David Maxwell, Pinetop Perkins, The Rhythm Kings Horns
- Trouble [Powerhouse, January 1991] with Bob Margolin, Ratso
- Rock This House [Big Mo 1023, 1993]
- Pain & Paradise [Big Mo 1030, May 1996] with Steuart Smith
- Still Wild [RUF 1037, April 1999]
- Live Tonite! [RUF 1079, April 2002]
- Blue Moon in Your Eye [Powerhouse 0601, August 2006] CD + DVD live at The Barns at Wolf Trap

John Hammond and The Nighthawks:
- Hot Tracks [Vanguard 79424, 1979]

Toru Oki and The Nighthawks:
- Toru Oki and The Nighthawks [1984]

They appear on the following albums:
Various Artists - Out of the Blue [Rykodisc 2003, 1985]
Tom Williams Quintet - Introducing Tom Williams [Criss Cross 1064, December 1991]
Juanita Williams - Introducing Juanita Williams [Big Mo 10242, 1994]
Various Artists - Blues Live from Mountain Stage [Blue Plate 305, October 1995]
Various Artists - Rockin' Blues [Ichiban 24878, February 1996]
Various Artists - Masters of Blues: Tribute to Elmore James [Priority 50569, September 1996]
Various Artists - Blues on the Loose [Beach Bag 4, August 1997]
John Hammond - Best of the Vanguard Years [Vanguard 79555, February 2000]
John Hammond - Bluesman [Universe 54, October 2002]
John Hammond - At the Crossroads: The Blues of Robert Johnson [Vanguard 79751, October 2003]

Mark Wenner:
- Fugutive
- Nothin' But... [Powerhouse 104, 1989] with Big Joe Maher, Bob Margolin
- Runs Good; Needs Paint [Right on Rhythm, 2000]
- Mama Tried [Right on Rhythm, 2002]

The Blue Rider Trio (Ben Andrews, Mark Wenner, Jeff Sarli):
- Preachin' the Blues [Mapleshade 512696, 1991]
- Harp, Steel And Guts [Mapleshade 6932, August 2000] with Larry Willis

Mark appears on the following albums:
John Mooney - Telephone King [Blind Pig 1383, 1983
Bob Margolin - The Old School [Powerhouse P-105, 1988]
Archie Edwards - Blues 'n Bones [Mapleshade 1375, 1989]
Saffire - The Uppity Blues Women - Saffire - The Uppity Blues Women [Alligator 4780, February 1990]
Terry Garland - Trouble in Mind [First Warning 75701, July 1991]
Terry Garland - Edge of the Valley [First Warning 75713, October 1992]
Skeeter Brandon - Hi-Test Blues [New Moon 9301, 1993]
Nils Lofgren - Every Breath [Permanent 028, 1993] movie soundtrack
John McCutcheon - Four Seasons: Summersongs [Rounder 8036, March 1995]
Carolyn Wonderland & The Imperial Monkeys - Play with Matches [Big Mo 30242, November 1995]
Ron Holloway - Scorcher [Milestone 9257, June 1996]
Terry Garland - One to Blame [Demon 775, August 1996]
Greg Kihn - Horror Show [Clean Cuts 716, November 1996]
Kelly Bell Band - Ain't Like It Used to Be [Fowl 22, March 2001]
Terry Garland - Out Where the Blue Begins [Planetary 9030, October 2001]
Nils Lofgren - Tuff Stuff: The Best of the All-Madden Team Band [Vision Music 21010, February 2002]
Ratso and Switchblade - Playing With Rats [Sphincter 312, July 2003]
John Hammond - At the Crossroads: The Blues of Robert Johnson [Vanguard 79751, October 2003]
Various Artists - 13 Shades of Blue: Best of Mapleshade, Vol. 2 [Mapleshade 10032, October 2004] (The Blue Rider Trio)
Bobby Manriquez - Prayin' the Blues [Bobby Manriquez 8157, November 2004]
Tom Principato - Guitar Gumbo [Powerhouse 123, October 2005]
Janine Wilson - Save Me From Myself [BOS 2006001, November 2005]
Saffire - The Uppity Blues Women - Deluxe Edition [Alligator 5613, January 2006]
Terry Garland - Whistling in the Dark [Silvermoon 20098, 2006]

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Video:
- Live at The State Theater with Hubert Sumlin

Looking for Nighthawks sheetmusic?

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