Fran Christina

Francis Anthony Christina (born February 1, 1951) is an American drummer known for his work in Texas blues band the Fabulous Thunderbirds (1979–97). He was also the founding drummer of Roomful of Blues (1967–1971).

Early life Christina was born in Westerly, Rhode Island, United States. He is the third of seven children born to James Christina and Josephine Trebisacci in an Italian-American Catholic family. As a boy, he would sneak into the local Black Baptist church to listen to the music there. At the age of 10, he improvised as a drummer for his brother's garage band. At age 12, Christina was given his first real set of drums. He taught himself music, then formed a band and began to perform at venues including a bowling alley lounge and a strip club. The quartet eventually became an R&B/jump blues band. in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

In 1971 and 1972, Christina and the Boogie Brothers performed at the Ann Arbor Blues and Jazz Festival.

The Rhythm Rockers, Vipers, and others

In 1972, Christina toured with Johnny Nicholas and Brown as the Rhythm Rockers, backing Big Walter Horton, and in the following year, he formed The Vipers. He then became a drummer for the multi-Grammy award-winning western swing band Asleep at the Wheel and later toured the US with Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen and The Fabulous Thunderbirds. Christina performed on two albums with the band Asleep at the Wheel. In 1983 Christina performed on Carlos Santana's Havana Moon album. In 1984 he recorded with Stevie Ray Vaughan on the multi-platinum album Couldn't Stand the Weather and in 1988 he performed with Bonnie Raitt on the Grammy Award-winning Nick of Time album. He then toured the US with Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen and The Fabulous Thunderbirds. Christina was the drummer for the western swing band Asleep at the Wheel.

The Fabulous Thunderbirds

In 1979, he officially became a member of an Austin Blues band The Fabulous Thunderbirds. Other than Christina on drums, the band included Jimmie Vaughan on guitar, Kim Wilson on vocals and harmonica, and Keith Ferguson on bass. After joining the band full-time, Christina performed with the band's second release What's the Word for the Chrysalis label. He then performed on several albums with the band. was commercially successful and was certified platinum. They were nominated for two Grammys in 1987. Several artists invited them to open shows including The Rolling Stones, ZZ Top, Tom Petty, The Doobie Brothers, The Who, REO Speedwagon, B.B. King, The Eurythmics, Bob Seeger and Crosby, Stills & Nash. Christina was a member of the band until he left in 1996. During his time with the Fabulous Thunderbirds, the band won the W. C. Handy Band of the Year award in 1986, was nominated for two Grammys in 1987, and their songs were selected as soundtracks for numerous movies and Christina departed in 1996.

Post-Thunderbirds career

Christina played with blues singer and pianist Marcia Ball and Doug Sahm’s Last Real Texas Blues Band before retiring from the road in 1999. In 2021 and 2022m Christina worked on a Matt "Guitar" Murphy tribute album project with his brother, fellow drummer Bobby Christina. Christina performed on the album and produced several cuts. Since 1995, Christina has been producing intaglio etchings for his wife, artist Julie Speed.

In 2023, he performed on Al Staehely's Somewhere In West Texas.

Citations and awards

Discography

Equipment

Drums: Slingerland Radio King, Pearl Custom, Christina Custom Card, Premiere, Tama

Snare: 6 ½ + 8 1/2 x12

Rack: 9 x 14

Floor Tom: 16 x 16

Cymbals: Sabian 22”ride, 18” crash, K Zildjian 16” crash