George Thorogood

George Lawrence Thorogood (born February 24, 1950) is an American musician, singer and songwriter.<ref name="Music"> Template:Cite book</ref> His "high-energy boogie-blues" sound became a staple of 1980s US rock radio, with hits like his original songs "Bad to the Bone" and "I Drink Alone".<ref name="web bio">Template:Cite web</ref> He has also helped to popularize older songs by American icons, such as "Move It on Over", "Who Do You Love?", and "House Rent Blues/One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

With his band, "The Delaware Destroyers" (often known simply as the "Destroyers"), Thorogood has released over 20 albums, two of which have been certified Platinum and six have been certified Gold. He has sold 15 million records worldwide. Thorogood and his band continue to tour extensively, and in 2024, the band celebrated their 50th anniversary of performing.

Early life

George Lawrence Thorogood was born on February 24, 1950 in Wilmington, Delaware.<ref name="Music" /> He was raised in a middle class family.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He attended Brandywine High School where he met and became friends with future drummer and bandmate Jeff Simon.<ref name=":10">Template:Cite web</ref> Thorogood showed interest in baseball at a young age, playing semi-professional baseball as a second and first baseman.<ref name="gw" /> Thorogood first discovered slide guitar when a friend gifted him a slide for his birthday.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Music career

Thorogood began his career as a solo acoustic performer in the style of Robert Johnson and Elmore James<ref name="web bio"/> in 1970, after being inspired by a John P. Hammond concert.<ref name="Erlewine">Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref><ref name=":4">Template:Cite web</ref> He traveled to San Francisco, California and performed on the streets before a tape of one of his sets got into the hands of Bonnie Raitt's manager. He convinced Thorogood to come back to the East Coast. There he started playing with blues artists Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee.<ref name=":10" /> Eventually, Robert Lockwood advised Thorogood to get an electric guitar,<ref name=":10" /> and in December 1973, he formed a band, "the Delaware Destroyers", with high school friend and drummer Jeff Simon.<ref name="web bio"/><ref name=":5">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> With additional players, the Delaware Destroyers developed its sound, a mixture of Chicago blues and rock and roll.<ref name="Erlewine"/> The band's first shows were in the Rathskeller bar at the University of Delaware and at Deer Park Tavern, both in Newark, Delaware.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Eventually, the band's name was shortened to just "the Destroyers".

Thorogood recorded a 20-song demo in 1974;<ref name=":172">Template:Cite magazine</ref> 10 of those songs were eventually released as Better Than The Rest by MCA Records.<ref name=":02">Template:Cite web</ref> John Forward discovered the band in 1975, and helped them secure a recording contract with Rounder Records.<ref name=":4" /> The band's major recording debut came with the album George Thorogood and the Destroyers, which was released on August 16, 1977.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The next year, Thorogood released his next album with the Destroyers titled Move It on Over, which included a remake of Hank Williams's "Move It on Over", and a reworking of the Bo Diddley song "Who Do You Love", both released as singles in 1978 and 1979 respectively.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> In 1980, rhythm guitarist Ron "Roadblock" Smith left the band, and was replaced by saxophonist Hank "Hurricane" Carter, who first played with the band on their fourth studio album, More George Thorogood and the Destroyers.<ref name=":022">Template:Cite web</ref> The band's early success contributed to the rise of folk label Rounder Records.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

During the late 1970s, Thorogood and his band were based in Boston. He was friends with Jimmy Thackery of the Washington, D.C.–based blues band, The Nighthawks. While touring in the 1970s, the Destroyers and the Nighthawks were playing shows in Georgetown at venues across the street from each other. The Destroyers were engaged at the Cellar Door and the Nighthawks at Desperados. At midnight, while both bands played Elmore James's "Madison Blues" in the same key, Thorogood and Thackery left their clubs, met in the middle of M Street, exchanged guitar cords and went on to play with the opposite band in the other club.<ref>Washington Post Op Ed May 15, 1993 – "M Street Shuffle" – fact-checked correction to Weekend section feature "Tune Town"; May 7, 1993</ref> The connection with the Nighthawks was extended further when Nighthawks bass player Jan Zukowski supported Thorogood's set with Bo Diddley and Albert Collins at the Live Aid concert in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 1985.<ref name="Larkin" />

Thorogood gained his first mainstream exposure as a support act for the Rolling Stones during their 1981 U.S. tour.<ref name="Larkin">Template:Cite book</ref> During this time, Thorogood and the Destroyers became known for their rigorous touring schedule, including the "50/50" tour in 1981,<ref name=":0">Template:Cite news</ref> on which the band toured all 50 US states in 50 days.<ref name="WGN">7th Inning interview on WGN Radio, June 27, 2007.</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> After two shows in Boulder, Colorado, Thorogood and his band flew to Hawaii for one show and then performed a show in Alaska the following night. The next day, Thorogood and his band met his roadies in Washington and continued the one-show-per-state tour. In addition, he played Washington, D.C., on the same day that he performed a show in Maryland, thereby playing 51 shows in 50 days.<ref name=":022" />

Thorogood performing at William Paterson College in Wayne, New Jersey, in April 1986

With his contract with Rounder Records expiring, Thorogood signed with EMI America Records<ref name="Certs82" /> and in 1982, released Bad to the Bone, which went gold.<ref name=":8">Template:Cite web</ref> The album's title track eventually became the band's most well-known song<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> through appearances on MTV and use in films, television and commercials.<ref name=":3">Template:Cite web</ref> Later that year he was the featured musical guest on Saturday Night Live (Season 8, Episode 2) on the October 2, 1982, broadcast.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The next year, the Destroyers embarked on their "Around the World in 80 Days Tour", during which they toured Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Europe and the US, but the tour had to be ended early because of a riot at a festival in Spain.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":7">Template:Cite magazine</ref> Later that year, Thorogood released his only Christmas song, "Rock and Roll Christmas".<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name=":13">Template:Cite book</ref> It was written by Thorogood<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> as a holiday special for MTV, with John Lee Hooker appearing in the music video.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> In 1984 Thorogood appeared in the music video for the song "All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight" by American singer-songwriter and musician Hank Williams Jr.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

His sixth studio album was Maverick, released in January 1985.<ref name="RPM-Feb-23">Template:Cite magazine</ref> The album featured Thorogood's only song to reach the Billboard Hot 100, a remake of Johnny Otis's "Willie and the Hand Jive", which peaked at number 63,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and his concert staple "I Drink Alone". During this time Thorogood became heavily interested in country music. He intended to record a country album, but never did.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> EMI America released Thorogood's first live album, titled Live, in August 1986.<ref name=":03">Template:Cite magazine</ref> The album was one of Thorogood's most successful, eventually being certified platinum by the RIAA.<ref name=":8" /> In 1988, rhythm guitarist Steve Chrismar joined the band, and was featured on their next album, Born to Be Bad, also released in 1988.<ref name=":022" /> That summer he also toured with American musician Brian Setzer.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Thorogood and the Destroyers were at the height of their popularity during the 80's, with their 4 albums with EMI selling a combined total of 3.5 million copies.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Thorogood's popularity began to decline in the 1990s. His eighth studio album, Boogie People, only sold around 300,000 copies,<ref name=":1">Template:Cite magazine</ref> but it did contain the song "If You Don't Start Drinkin' (I'm Gonna Leave)", which eventually became a concert staple.<ref name=":022" /> That year he also toured with Elvin Bishop in support of Bishop's album Don't Let the Bossman Get You Down!.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The next year, The Baddest of George Thorogood and the Destroyers was released,<ref name=":022" /> it was the band's second and final album to be certified platinum by the RIAA.<ref name=":8" /> His next album, Haircut, contained the song "Get a Haircut", which peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks,<ref name="Billboard">Template:Cite magazine</ref> and was the No. 1 most played song on Canadian FM radio.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In April 1995, EMI released the Destroyer's second live album, Live: Let's Work Together.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> After the release of the album the Destroyers embarked on a summer tour, after which they began preparing material for their next album.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> The Destroyers' next album was 1997's Rockin' My Life Away. It was their first studio album to miss the Billboard 200 since their debut in 1977, although it was their first to chart on Billboard's Top Blues Album chart.<ref name=":16">Template:Cite web</ref>

In 1998 EMI America dropped the Destroyers, so they signed with CMC International.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The next year, they released Half a Boy/Half a Man.<ref name=":022" /> The album failed to chart in any capacity, and its single, "I Don't Trust Nobody", was their final single to chart, peaking at number 24 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.<ref name=":16" /> The same year they were the featured musical guest on Late Night with Conan O'Brien on the June 8 broadcast.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> CMC International also released their third live album, Live in '99.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Their next albums all charted high on Billboard's Top Blues Album chart.<ref name=":16" />

George Thorogood signed a three-album deal with Eagle Records in 2002,<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> and released Ride 'Til I Die the next year.<ref name=":4" /> Ride 'Til I Die was the final Destroyers album to feature Hank "Hurricane" Carter, he was replaced by Buddy Leach.<ref name=":022" /> In 2004, Greatest Hits: 30 Years of Rock was released,<ref name=":022" /> it was the band's final album to be certified gold by the RIAA.<ref name=":8" /> Eagle released their fourth live album, 30th Anniversary Tour: Live, also in 2004,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and The Hard Stuff in 2006.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

The Destroyers toured with Buddy Guy in the summer of 2008,<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> before returning to EMI/Capitol in 2009 to release their next studio album, The Dirty Dozen.<ref name=":4" /> It was their first studio album since Haircut to reach the Billboard 200, peaking at number 169.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> In 2011 they released their most recent studio album, 2120 South Michigan Ave., which was a tribute to Chess Record artists.<ref name="gw">Template:Cite web</ref> In 2012, Thorogood was named one of the "50 Most Influential Delawareans of the Past 50 Years".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The next year the Destroyers celebrated their 40th year anniversary with a national tour.<ref name=":9">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Thorogood released his first proper solo album in 2017, titled Party of One,<ref name=":12">Template:Cite web</ref> which was his best selling album in a long time.<ref name=":5" /> On April 21, 2018,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> the Destroyers released the single "Shot Down" for Record Store Day.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Thorogood (center) receives the MMP Music Award and Hall of Fame Honors with William Lewis IV, Alexis Paige, Joseph W. Clark, and Kevin Edwards

On March 14, 2020, Thorogood was inducted into the Mississippi Music Project Hall of Fame in Biloxi, Mississippi, and was awarded the MMP Music Award for his lifelong commitment to the music industry,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> by Joseph W. Clark.Template:Citation needed

Hank Carter, who served as the saxophonist for Thorogood's band from 1980 to 2003, died on September 14, 2021, at the age of 71.<ref name="auto">Template:Cite web</ref>

On April 11, 2023, Thorogood's social media pages announced that he was seriously ill, although the nature of his illness was not disclosed. Tour dates from April 27 to May 21 were all cancelled.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In February 2025, just before Thorogood's 75th birthday, the band launched their "Baddest Show on Earth Tour", which would take them across several states and then to Australia.<ref name=":6">Template:Cite web</ref>

Personal life

George Thorogood married Marla Raderman on July 16, 1985.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> She died from ovarian cancer in 2019.<ref>Template:Cite web </ref> They have one daughter, Rio Thorogood.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Thorogood has been a baseball fan<ref name="WGN" /> for most of his life, playing semi-pro ball as a second baseman during the 1970s (drummer Jeff Simon played center field on the same team). He took his daughter to Chicago for her first major league game (Cubs vs. Rockies), during which he sang "Take Me Out to the Ball Game". In a 2011 Guitar World interview, he stated "I'm a Mets fan. There aren't many of us but you know, that's me."<ref name="gw" />

In April 2023, Thorogood had to cancel the first leg of his 50th anniversary tour due to a serious medical condition.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Band members

Thorogood and Jim Suhler performing in 2010

The Delaware Destroyers

• George Thorogood – lead vocals, guitars (1973–present)
• Jeff Simon – drums, percussion (1973–present)
• Billy Blough – bass guitar (1976–present)
• Jim Suhler – guitars (1999–present)
• Buddy Leach – saxophone, piano (2003–present)

Former members

• Michael Levine – bass (1973–1976)
• Ron "Roadblock" Smith – guitar (1973–1980)
• Hank "Hurricane" Carter – saxophone (1980–2003; died 2021)<ref name="auto"/>
• Ian Stewart – keyboards (1982; died 1985)
• Steve Chrismar – guitar (1985–1993)
• Waddy Wachtel – guitar (1997)

Timeline

<timeline> ImageSize = width:1000 height:auto barincrement:20 PlotArea = left:100 bottom:100 top:10 right:10 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy Period = from:01/01/1973 till:01/01/2025 TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy

Colors =

 id:vocals    value:red         legend:Vocals
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 id:keyboards value:purple      legend:Piano
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 id:lines1    value:black       legend:Studio_album
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 bar:Thorogood  text:George Thorogood
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PlotData=

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 bar:Smith      from:start      till:01/01/1980 color:guitar
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 bar:Blough     from:01/01/1976 till:end        color:bass
 bar:Leach      from:01/01/2003 till:end        color:keyboards width:3
 bar:Leach      from:01/01/2003 till:end        color:saxophone  
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 bar:Simon      from:start      till:end        color:drums

</timeline>

Discography

Studio albums with the Destroyers

• George Thorogood and the Destroyers (1977)
• Move It on Over (1978)
• Better Than the Rest (1979)
• More George Thorogood and the Destroyers (1980)
• Bad to the Bone (1982)
• Maverick (1985)
• Born to Be Bad (1988)
• Boogie People (1991)
• Haircut (1993)
• Rockin' My Life Away (1997)
• Half a Boy/Half a Man (1999)
• Ride 'Til I Die (2003)
• The Hard Stuff (2006)
• The Dirty Dozen (2009)
• 2120 South Michigan Ave. (2011)

Solo studio album

• Party of One (2017)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Concert tours

• The 50/50 Tour (1981)<ref name=":0" />
• Bad to the Bone Tour (1982-83)<ref name="Certs82">Template:Cite magazine</ref>
• Around the World in 80 Days Tour (1983)<ref name=":7" />
• Maverick Tour (1985)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
• Boogie People Tour (1991)<ref name=":2">Template:Cite magazine</ref>
• Haircut Tour (1993)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
• 40th Anniversary Tour (2014)<ref name=":9" />
• Rock Party Tour (2018)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Good to Be Bad Tour (2021)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Bad All Over The World Tour (2023)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Baddest Show On Earth Tour (2025-26)<ref name=":6" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

External links

• George Thorogood and the Destroyers official website
• Template:IMDb name