The Outlaws

Southern rock band Outlaws – formed in Tampa, Florida in 1967 – are best known for their 1975 song “There Goes Another Love Song.” Originally going by the name The Four Letter Words, they changed their name to Outlaws once the original line-up – guitarists / vocalists Hobie O’Brien, Frank Guidry, Herbie Pino and Hughie Thomasson and rhythm section David Dix (drums) and Phil Holmberg (bass) – had solidified. However, the band went through many changes over the next few years include the departure of most of the original line-up and the addition of vocalist / guitarist Henry Paul. By the time of the release of the group’s self-titled debut album in 1975, Thomasson was the only founding member left in the group. The album’s single, “There Goes Another Love Song,” reached number 34 on the Billboard Top 100 while the album climbed to number 13. Their second album, Lady in Waiting (1976), was also successful and featured the charting single “Breaker-Breaker.” The group’s ever revolving line-up would continue as new members passed through their ranks including Freddie Salem (guitar / vocals) and future Christian rocker Rick Cua (bass / vocals). Henry Paul left the group in 1977 but returned in 1983 and would spend the next four decades in and out of the group. Founder Hughie Thomasson would depart the group in 1996 but rejoined Outlaws in 2005 and remained until his death in 2007. During this tumultuous time in the group’s history, they continued to release charting albums including Hurry Sundown (1977), Playin’ to Win (1978), In the Eye of the Storm (1979), and Ghost Riders (1980). Outlaws’ final hit single was their cover of “(Ghost) Riders in the Sky,” which reached number 31 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1980. Although no longer hitmakers, Outlaws continued to tour and record albums including Soldiers of Fortune (1986), Diablo Canyon (1994), It’s About Pride (2012), and Dixie Highway (2020). Since he returned to the line-up in 2008, Henry Paul has led a version of Outlaws featuring a whole new line-up. Several members of the group’s many line-ups have passed away including Billy Jones (1995), Hughie Thomasson (2007), Herbie Pino (2014), and Freddie Salem, who passed away on September 24, 2024.