'Badder Than Ever'

Ahead of Park Theatre performance, George Thorogood reflects on career, New England ties

Daniel Kittredge
Posted 3/6/15

It’s been more than three decades since George Thorogood and the Destroyers released their iconic single “Bad to the Bone,” and some 40 years since the blues rock group began …

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'Badder Than Ever'

Ahead of Park Theatre performance, George Thorogood reflects on career, New England ties

Posted

It’s been more than three decades since George Thorogood and the Destroyers released their iconic single “Bad to the Bone,” and some 40 years since the blues rock group began performing.

Now, the band is back on the road. And despite the years that have passed, the name of the tour, “Badder Than Ever,” embodies the continued strength of their leader’s rock ’n roll spirit.

“Every night’s a celebration…I’m celebrating that I was able to get out of bed in the morning,” said Thorogood, who turned 65 last week and will perform at the Park Theatre in Cranston on Sunday. “Rock and roll never sleeps, it just passes out.”

A native of Delaware, Thorogood is no stranger to New England. He and the band – originally the Delaware Destroyers, formed with high school friend and drummer Jeff Simon – were based in Boston during the late 1970s. It was there they recorded their first album, a self-titled 1977 release.

“We lived there for a while right in Allston, Mass.,” Thorogood said.

The group also toured extensively in the region, including gigs in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut. He called Rhode Island a “beautiful state.”

“I was received really well in the New England area [from the start],” he said.

The self-titled album represented perhaps the biggest single moment of Thorogood’s career. Specifically, his recording of the song “One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer” – written by Rudy Toombs and previously recorded by Amos Milburn and John Lee Hooker – was a major turning point.

Thorogood said he knew the song would be a hit for him, based on the response it received from audiences night after night. But because it was not his song, and because he was still learning the “language of record people and big-time promoters,” he was struggling to get his break.

“This is the song that’s going to do it,” he recalls thinking. He also, with a laugh, recalled what he wanted to tell those record companies and promoters: “You will sell a lot of records if you record this song.”

Thorogood also knew that time was of the essence. His window of opportunity was closing, and he knew another artist would eventually record the song.

“Time’s running out for me,” he remembers thinking. “It’s now or never for me.”

When “One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer” unexpectedly got played on the radio, Thorogood got his chance with Cambridge-based Rounder Records. The self-titled release went Gold, and the single became a hit.

“It’s still on the radio today,” he said.

From there, the band’s success grew. In 1979 they released their follow-up album, “Move It On Over,” which featured a version of Hank Williams’ song of the same name and also went Gold. In 1981 the group opened for the Rolling Stones on their U.S. tour and performed on “Saturday Night Live.” They also staged their “50/50 Tour,” during which they played in all 50 states over the course of 50 days.

Gold albums “Bad to the Bone” and “Maverick” followed, producing hits such as “Who Do You Love,” “I Drink Alone” and, of course, “Bad to the Bone.” In all, George Thorogood and the Destroyers have played more than 8,000 shows, sold roughly 15 million albums and released six Gold records and two Platinum records.

Were he starting out his career today, Thorogood doubts he would experience as much success. The industry, he said, has changed too much.

“A shot-and-a-beer type of artist like me, I wouldn’t have a chance…It’s a whole different world now,” he said.

Back in the ’70s, though, he was “right on top of” the musical trends of the day.

“I had something that I was good at that was in vogue at the time,” he said.

While the times have changed, Thorogood’s sound – refined over thousands of performances – remains the same. Sunday’s set in Cranston, he said, will be heavy on the songs for which he’s best known.

“The stars are always going to play their big numbers, whether it’s John Fogarty or George Thorogood,” he said.

His approach and attitude also remain constant.

“Every night when I walk out on that stage is the highlight of my career,” he said. “I hit that first chord, the band kicks in, and we hear the audience respond – that’s the rush. Over 40 years into this and every night is still the only moment that matters.”

George Thorogood and the Destroyers will take the stage at the Park Theatre at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 8. Tickets are $35, $45 and $55 and are available by calling 467-PARK or visiting www.parktheatreri.com. The Park Theatre is located at 848 Park Ave. in Cranston. Free parking is available for all shows.

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