Most area bands have a shelf life of a few years, but there’s something about local roots-music groups that inspires occasional longevity.
West Palm Beach trio the Dillengers has mixed blues, rock, rockabilly and surf music for 18 years, but even that band is trumped by the Boca Raton-based blues act the Fabulous Fleetwoods (fabulousfleetwoods.com), formed 25 years ago by lead singer and harmonica player John Harris.
“I’ve been with the band about five years,” says guitarist and vocalist Richie Schmidt. “Our drummer, Don Hamzik, is the new guy at three years, and our bassist, Jim Jones, goes back 15.
“There’s also a pretty extensive tree of Fleetwoods alumni that’s played in other local bands like Crazy Fingers, the Groove Thangs, Shackdaddys, TC Blue, The Shakers, Misbehavin’ and more,” Schmidt says.
Many of those past members showed up for the 25th anniversary show in April at Kevro’s Art Bar in Delray Beach, including original drummer Pete Noble, guitarists Pete Quigley, Frank Ward and Bonefish Johnny; bassists Kilmo Pacillo and Mike Howard; and keyboardists Bob Freeman and Conrad Bender.
“John had the whole night’s worth of songs worked out, with all those different lineups,” says Jones, also the Fleetwoods’ third vocalist. “We had a great time.”
With three CDs of originals — Texas Party Killers, Live Wood and Radio — plus select covers of such artists as the Nighthawks, James Brown, B.B. King, the Staple Singers, the Fabulous Thunderbirds and ZZ Top, the Fleetwoods mix fun and musicality in equal amounts.
The band has toured Germany and took a trip up the East Coast this summer to Boston and Long Island, N.Y.
Harris’ ace harmonica playing even landed him on the 1992 CD Coverdale/Page, with vocalist David Coverdale and former Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page.
See the Fabulous Fleetwoods perform at 9 p.m. Sept. 12 at the Irishmen Pub, 1745 N.W. Second Ave., Boca Raton (561-368-1129) and at 8 p.m. Sept. 19 at South Shores Tavern, 502 Lucerne Ave., Lake Worth (561-547-7656).

Now hear this

Jazz vocalist SAMM continues her long-standing Friday duo residency (playing only with a bassist, usually Jamie Ousley) by creatively interpreting jazz standards from 9 p.m. to midnight tonight in the lounge at Hotel Biba, 320 Belvedere Road, West Palm Beach (561-832-0094). … Theresa Lindstrom (myspace.com/theresablue) was one of the area’s most popular blues singer/songwriters before moving to North Carolina a few years ago, where she records for Tom Cat Records. She has returned to play from 8 to 11 p.m. on Saturdays through Sept. 19 at Teddy’s Wing Shack, 1632 S. Military Trail, West Palm Beach (561-642-7067). … Area trio Jazz Stream (myspace.com/jazzstream23) has downstreamed to a duo for an area gig. There are $2 drink specials, free pizza until 8 p.m. and combustible jazz from keyboardist Mark Doyle, drummer Keith Bell and special guests from 7 to 10 p.m. on Wednesdays at Mojitos The Retreat, 129 N. Federal Highway, Lake Worth (561-582-3232).