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On the evening of December 1st, 1973 at The University of Delaware's Lane Hall, a guitarist, a drummer, and their rhythm guitarist set up their gear - including a borrowed PA - on the small bandstand. Though the three-piece band had only rehearsed once or twice, guitarist George Thorogood and drummer Jeff Simon had been bashing out covers of songs they loved - including 'No Particular Place To Go', 'Madison Blues' and 'One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer' - in suburban Wilmington basements since they were teens.
"George once said he wanted to start a band, and that was good enough for me," says Simon. "Besides, the gig paid $150."
A week earlier, Thorogood hadn't even owned an electric guitar. "I'd been traveling around the country as an acoustic street musician," George explains. "I was back home for my sister's wedding, and Jeff booked the gig without telling me. I went to a pawn shop downtown and bought a Gibson ES-125." Their band didn't have a name, either. "There was a piano player on a bunch of Howlin' Wolf sessions who was credited only as 'Destruction'," Thorogood remembers, "so we decided to call ourselves 'The Destroyers'."
The Lane Hall audience was wary at first. "We started playing what we knew," Simon recalls, "a lot of Elmore James, Chuck Berry and Jimmy Reed. We may have been a bit nervous, but we were having so much fun that nothing else mattered. Then it was like somebody flipped a switch. Everybody hit the dance floor all at once."
"We had the place rockin'," Thorogood says. "We must have played 'One Bourbon' three times. It may have been a bit unpolished and primitive, but we were connecting with the audience in a major way. From that very first show, Jeff and I knew we were onto something." Five decades, more than 8,000 performances, and over 15 million albums later, on any given night on any stage in the world, few bands can still rock the house like George Thorogood & Destroyers.
For Thorogood, Simon, and long-time Destroyers Bill Blough, Jim Suhler and Buddy Leach, that's only part of the reason why their Bad All Over The World - 50 Years of Rock Tour will be a celebration like no other. "People may love our records, but our live performances leave the ultimate impression," George explains. "We're all blue-collar guys; if we don't kick ass on stage every night, it's back to working at the car wash." For the past half a century - and with no signs of slowing down - they've kicked ass with their 50 Dates/50 States Tour; delivered landmark performances at Live Aid and on SNL; opened club gigs for Muddy Waters and stadiums for The Rolling Stones; and remain one of the most reliable/formidable live acts in the world, with 2022's run of nearly 100 shows in 17 countries across 3 continents including Europe and Australia - plus a top-selling U.S. summer tour with Sammy Hagar - being one of their biggest years yet.
Then there's an ongoing legacy unlike any in Rock history: By reverently reinventing obscure blues, country and R&B tracks by icons that include Bo Diddley, John Lee Hooker and Hank Williams - via now-classic hits like 'Who Do You Love?', 'Boogie Chillun' and 'Move It On Over' - George & The Destroyers have kept the music of these American Masters alive for the MTV Generation and beyond. And with his own smash originals such as 'I Drink Alone', 'Gear Jammer', and the ultimate badass anthem 'Bad To The Bone', Thorogood and band have forged a one-of-a-kind career built on humor, fervor and six-string swagger delivered with equal parts fire and fun. "The dreams we had as teenagers all came true," Jeff Simon says. "We've shared stages with our music heroes. We perform for audiences all over the world. We've always stayed true to who we are. And most of all, we still love what we do."
The band also has a longstanding commitment to medical science and social justice that includes a partnership with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society as well as an ongoing collaboration with Musically Fed to feed veterans, the homeless, and the food insecure nationwide. A portion of proceeds from the 50 Years of Rock Tour will also benefit The Marla Thorogood Memorial Fund For Ovarian Cancer Research in conjunction with Vanderbilt University Medical Center, in memory of George's late wife who passed away in 2019. "When I was a kid, my hero was Bobby Kennedy," George says. "He said 'Some men see things as they are and ask why? I dream things that never were and ask, why not?' It was a message that spoke directly to my generation, and one that I'll always carry with me."
For Thorogood, the 50th Anniversary Tour - along with a top-streaming catalog of albums that now includes his acclaimed 2017 solo disc Party Of One, 2020's epic George Thorogood & The Destroyers Live In Boston 1982: The Complete Concert, and 2022's The Original George Thorogood - is proof that nice guys can finish first even when they're the baddest of the bad. "You can't plan to have a legacy," George explains. "Our heart and soul have been in this from day one, and I think audiences have always respected that. Maybe that's why we've never gone out of style." Or perhaps the way a gobsmacked Rolling Stone reporter first described Thorogood and band in the '70s still rings true today: "Just one guy with more moves than a burlap bag full of wolverines, a snarling vintage Gibson, and a rhythm section in pursuit of the Watts-Wyman Perfect Metronome Award. If Thorogood gave off any more energy, the government would lock him in a lead barrel and dump him off the coast of New Jersey. George Thorogood & the Destroyers play rock & roll hot enough to melt the polar icecaps and flood the world's major population centers."
But does Thorogood ever wonder if that nervous 23-year-old onstage at Lane Hall could imagine the bad-to-the-bone rock party he'd bring to the next several generations? "Rather than think about the past 50 years, I'd rather focus on our next 50 shows," George says with a laugh. "But I will admit to a warm feeling of satisfaction, maybe a bit of pride, and definitely a whole lot of gratitude." And when asked to pick a career highlight thus far, maybe one night that changed everything for George Thorogood & The Destroyers, he shakes his head, flashes a huge grin and heads off to soundcheck. "My highlight is when I step on that bandstand," Thorogood says. "The promoters invited us, the audience came to hear us, and we're ready to rock. When the rush of that ends, I'll stop. Until then, every night I play for people can be the biggest night of my life."
Jonny Lang, best concert ever. Thorogood bad--too old school. Jonny Lang deserved top billing. I have seen MANY concerts and he topped them all. Bring him back, so I can take my son to see him!!!
How can it be that Lenny Kravitz could've hit it so big and Jonny Lang is opening for George Thorogood? I mean, he's young, handsome, has a great voice and can play the guitar like there's no tomorrow. His performance last night was off the scales, covering Stevie Wonder and everything.. Let's hope to see him headlning soon. George Thorogood was everything I expected him to be, his band's sound was rich and near perfection. Saxophone was stellar and tied it all together. He covered all of the old time favorites and his bands ensemble sounds like he's recording for a studio cut, everything was spot on. His voice has lost nothing over the years and he still belts out those raspy lyrics. Never a great guitarist but adequate chops on slide and a great back-up lead. All in all, it was a great night of music.
This was the 7th time seeing George Thorogood and the Destroyers and he was as amazing as the first time I saw him in 1980 at the Capitol Theater in Passaic, New Jersey! He puts on a show that makes you just want to get up and dance; which I did! His guitar playing is above and beyond other musicians! I wish the show was longer, there were 4 songs he did not play that I wish he did, however that is not a complaint, he just rocked! I hope he tours again soon, I will definitely be there! GEORGE!!!! Keep Rocking, nobody plays the guitar like you and moves like you on stage, Everyone should see you at least once! as for the Destroyers, they are an incredible Rockin' band!
Jonny Lang just gets better as he matures and brought that talent to his jams last night. And what's not to enjoy with George. He ALWAYS entertains to the max to this day!
I went mostly to see Jonny Lang and he played longer than I expected which was great. I like George Thorogood but never considered seeing him in concert before. I was blown away by his show. He was better than I expected, very energetic and entertaining. I know all the popular songs but the ones I didn't know were just as good. I would see him again in the future and hope he plays the New York/New Jersey area again soon.
George Thorogood was great as expected but Jonny Lang just keeps getting better and better. He is an incredible musician. See him anywhere, anytime!!!
Excellent show! Jonny Lang is one amazing guitar player and vocalist-great range!! Highlights: " A quitter never wins" "Red Light" and Stevie Wonder's "Living for the City". George and the Destroyers never disappoint! Great 90 minute rockin set!! The man is definitely bad to the bone!!
One of the best concerts I have ever seen !! My husband and I took two of our boys and now they are big george fans too! He was just BAD TO THE BONE :>}.
who-ever warmed up for thorogood was too acoustic, seemed to lull everybody to sleep; he was too mellow. but george etc woke us all up with their first few chords! it was a rowdy, fun-loving crowd. lonesome george brought the rocker out in all of us! he's still got it!
It was a great show. Everyone standing, singing and dancing along with them. I didn't want it to end. Rockin' performance!
george was as a "mean old dog" that he ever was. he had the crowd together as one. it is so refreshing to see a musician play with SUCH enthusiasm as george did. he was deffinitely " bad to the bone" ! i went to see pat benatar saturday night and it was just a bunch of garbled noice. it was SO refreshing to be able to here each instument and vocals. thank you george thorogood and the destroyers
This is how Rock and Blues is supposed to be done. No fancy frills just balls to wall Rock and Blues from his chest vibrating entrance all the way thru to his theatrical collapse after his final encore, George kept the crowd and us on our feet for the entire show. My wife and I are 50+ with Knee replacements and spinal fusions so standing this long was thought to be impossible. Just flush the pain pills and bottle up of good dose of George Thorogood and Destroyers and ship it out to every doctor in the country.
The George thorogood show was very entertaining. The sound quality was great. The song selection was very good. He interacted with the crowd and was very engaging. The cape cod melody tent is very clean and run professionally. The only drawback to seeing a show there is the recurring theme of short performances. I don't know what the deal is but every show I see there is about 1hr 20 min long with just the 1 main performer. Other venues the acts usually play from 1hr 30min to 2hr 30 min.
We really didn't know what to expect and found the music, showmanship, etc. " exceeding expectations". Would see George the band again at the Melody Tent if possible.
Once again, George & the Destroyers put on a fabulous concert! Their music gets into the body via the feet & once you feel it you can't stop dancing! Their music is the raunchy rock 'n roll of days past! Amazing! As George & the Destroyers were returning backstage, he handed his sweaty towel to my girlfriend! Since we've been fans for ~25 years, that was fabulous! My 21 year old is sooo jealous as she's been raised on George's music!! The only negative - the venue! During the show while most were sitting because they were too "pent up" to move, we were told to sit down! Excuse me but George's music is not the kind you sit & listen to. Alternately, if everyone sat during the entire show, he would probably be offended. I will not return to the Cape Cod Melody Tent for any show, his or any other artist!
Full of energy and definately knows how to bring people to their feet! Fantastic show, we will make it a point to go again next year if he returns to Hyannis. A must see show for sure!
This was my 4th time seeing George Thorogood and i have to say he gets better everytime i see them. Good mix of the classics with the new songs from The Dirty Dozen CD. If you have the chance to see them live don't hesitate to get tickets. you won't be sorry.
George Thorogood and the Destroyers have been great in concert since I started seeing them live back in the 80's the seats I chose were close to the stage but looking at the back of most of the band, not a bad view considering I was looking at George dancing, all and all I will continue to see George Thorogood and the Destroyers every chance I get and I would definatly go to see a show at this venue again very good sound quality, vendors, clean bathrooms, very cool, and too far to travel either............
George Thorogood and the Destroyers were Amazing. My sons who are 18 and 23 also attended and we all agreed that it was the best concert we've been to in a long time. My boyfriend bought these tickets and I have to admit that I wasn't overly excited because only 2 or 3 songs came to mind when I recalled Thorogood's playlist. He completely exceeded my expectations and we will definitely see him again. In a world of electronically enhanced performers it was a true pleasure to go to a concert that was sooo good it couldn't possibly be duplicated on CD. Everyone was dancing and singing. For a good time, go see George!!!
It was not a good night. It was almost depressing. The musicians didn't seem like they were enjoying it at all. And the lighting was annoying more than anything else. Every song he sang sounded exactly like the one before it. And his voice kept cutting out. It was awful. I hated it and will not go again. Or recommend it. I've been to the melody tent before and saw Bruce Hornsby... not THAT was a good show!
