HONORING A ROCK ICON

George Thorogood received the University of Delaware’s Medal of Distinction — UD’s highest non-academic honor —
in a June 21 ceremony at the Hyatt Hotel on Newark’s Main Street.
Article by UDaily Staff
George Thorogood, the First State native and rocker whose fame swelled with hits like ‘Who Do You Love?’ and ‘Bad to the Bone,’ receives the University’s Medal of Distinction
George Thorogood’s distinctive voice has blared from stages and stereos across the country and around the world. Along with his band, The Destroyers, he has released 17 studio albums, two of which went platinum along with six that went gold.
Even with all of those accolades, an honor recently bestowed upon him left the rocker practically speechless.
Thorogood received the University of Delaware’s Medal of Distinction — UD’s highest non-academic honor — in a June 21 ceremony at the Hyatt Hotel on Newark’s Main Street.
“Jeff [Simon, the band’s drummer] and Bill [Blough, its bassist] and I are just kind of taken aback because of all the places we weren’t invited to, and all the places we were invited to leave,” the guitarist said, drawing laughs with his typical self-deprecating humor. “This is more than an honor. It's a shock. So the three of us thank you.”
Vice Chair of the University’s Board of Trustees William M. Lafferty, joined by UD President Dennis Assanis, conferred the honor upon Thorogood. He is the first entertainer ever to receive the Medal of Distinction, which has been awarded by the University since 1979. The medal recognizes those who have made significant cultural, humanitarian, scientific or intellectual contributions to society or in their profession.
“My wife, Eleni, and I are excited to be a part of this celebration commemorating the 50th anniversary of George Thorogood’s legendary career,” Assanis said. “Our community is thrilled that the University of Delaware is where he and his band played their very first concert together. The University has always had a deep commitment to the arts and to our community, so it is very fitting that we helped to honor one of Delaware’s most influential artists for his successful career that was launched right here on our campus.”
Also at the event, Newark Mayor Jerry Clifton issued a resolution on behalf of the city, and Delaware Rep. Paul Baumbach presented a tribute to Thorogood from the state’s General Assembly.
“For a whole generation of Delawareans, George Thorogood represented a pinnacle of success that most of us could only dream about,” Delaware Senate President Pro Tempore Dave Sokola said. “New Jersey had Springsteen. Indiana had Mellencamp. But for those of us coming of age in Delaware during the ’70s and ’80s, George was ours. Many of my neighbors still talk about catching his early performances at the Deer Park and, to this day, the only name of his band that we recognize is the Delaware Destroyers. After representing the First State all the way to two platinum and six gold records, George is more than deserving of the Medal of Distinction and I am more than thrilled to play a small part in welcoming home a true Delaware icon.”
“To be able to say that Delaware produced such a talented musician is an honor, and I am so glad the UD Board of Trustees chose to award him the Medal of Distinction,” said Delaware State Representative Paul Baumbach. “Neither classic rock nor the bourbon, scotch, or beer industries would be where they are today without the work of George Thorogood.”
After the ceremony, those gathered in celebration of Thorogood’s career made a short walk across Main Street for the unveiling of a plaque that read ‘Thorogood Alley.’ The pedestrian thoroughfare, renamed in Thorogood’s honor, sits adjacent to the former Stone Balloon Tavern, which existed in Newark for more than 50 years and had hosted legendary musical acts like Bruce Springstein, Dave Matthews and Metallica.
“I want to thank you for what you’ve done for Newark, putting us on the rock and roll map, and what you’ve done concurrently for the University of Delaware,” Newark Mayor Jerry Clifton said. “We can’t say thank you enough for the contributions that you have made.”
Born in Wilmington, Thorogood began belting songs in the 1970s, playing gigs in residential basements for sparse crowds several years before he started booking higher-profile shows in venues between Baltimore and Philadelphia. Predating even those early-years shows was Thorogood’s first public performance, in December 1973. He played on a tiny bandstand in Lane Hall, a UD residence hall. That short set consisted of only a few songs, most of which were cover tracks, and it is credited with launching an international music career that has spanned five decades and led to 8,000 concerts.
The ensemble that Thorogood fronts, better known as George Thorogood and the Destroyers, has gone on to sell 15 million albums worldwide. Two albums have reached platinum status, meaning they have sold at least one million copies, and six others have gone gold (500,000+ copies sold). Thorogood’s impact on music is undeniable. His unique singing style and the band’s genre have always been difficult to define. Is it rock? Is it blues? “It’s loud and it rocks. You can call it what you want,” Thorogood has previously said to that frequent query.Outside of music, Thorogood has aimed to change lives with the formation and financial support of the Marla Thorogood Memorial Fund for Ovarian Cancer Research in memory of his wife who died in 2019. Proceeds from his current tour, “Bad All Over The World: 50 Years of Rock,” benefit the memorial fund.
Thorogood and his bandmates performed the following night, June 22, in Selbyville — the only Delaware date on their current tour.
It’s clear that he will be carrying his Delaware pride with him as he takes the stage.
“Some people get avenues named after them, streets named after them, or airports named after them. I’ve got them all beat. I will now have an alley named after me,” Thorogood said. “I thank the University of Delaware for the Medal of Distinction. I’m not sure how distinctive I am, but I accept it in the spirit it is given and am certainly flattered to receive the honor.”
A homecoming for Delaware's own George Thorogood
By: Mark Fowser | WDEL.com
Rock 'n roller - bluesman George Thorogood was back in his home state of Delaware Friday for a special tribute to honor his roots and his half-century career - during which he has performed more than 8,000 times and sold about 15-million records.
Thorogood mingled with guests at the Green Mansion Bar at the Hyatt on East Main Street in Newark, where he was presented with the University of Delaware Medal of Distinction - UD's highest non-academic honor.
The Medal of Distinction dates back to 1979 and is conferred upon "those who have made significant cultural, humanitarian, scientific or intellectual contributions to society or in their profession."
Thorogood is the first entertainer to receive such recognition.
"George, welcome back to your home town. This is where all the magic began, if you remember," University of Delaware President Dr. Dennis Assanis said. He was referring to what is said to be Thorogood's first public performance at Lane Hall dormitory in 1973.
"A native Delawarean, a former semi-pro baseball player, George Thorogood isn't just a musician," UD Board of Trustees vice chair Bill Lafferty said. "He's a storyteller whose guitar speaks the language of freedom and grit, and maybe a little bit of rebellion too."
Thorogood also performed at other Newark-area venues during his rise to stardom. By 1981, Thorogood was an established star and opened for The Rolling Stones (and Journey) at JFK Stadium in Philadelphia - a show attended by several people at Friday's tribute.
Close to where the legendary Stone Balloon nightclub once stood across the street, Thorogood joined a crowd for the unveiling of a plaque dedicating a small passageway as "Thorogood Alley."
"Gee, I'm speechless - if you can believe it, Thorogood is speechless," Thorogood said. He went on to thank band mates who had been with him throughout his career, Bill Blough and Jeff Simon (The Destroyers). Other musicians, friends and elected officials were acknowledged as well.
"As unaccustomed as I am to public drinking... I mean, public speaking... I'll try to get through this," Thorogood said.
"This is more than an honor - it's a shock."
University of Delaware presents George Thorogood with Medal of Distinction


‘Bad to Bone': Delaware's own George Thorogood returns to where it started 50+ years ago
By Dan Stamm / NBCPhiladelphia.com
After 50-plus years of rocking the world, Delaware's biggest university is raising "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer" to the original "Destroyer" who is "Bad to the Bone" like no other.
On Friday, June 21, 2024, the University of Delaware honored native son George Thorogood with its Medal of Distinction.
The legendary rocker is currently on his 50th anniversary tour with the Destroyers. It all began on UDel's campus half a century ago.
"The venue for Thorogood’s first public performance was a small bandstand in Lane Hall, a residence hall on UD’s campus, in 1973," UD said in a news release. "He also played and attended shows at venues along Newark’s Main Street."
Why that original gig?
“George once said he wanted to start a band, and that was good enough for me,” drummer Jeff Simon said. “Besides, the gig paid $150.” (Check out Thorogood's website for more incredible details about that first show.)
Since that December day, Thorogood and the Destroyers have played thousands of concerts all over the world and sold millions of records.
So, what is the honor exactly?
"The Medal of Distinction, the University of Delaware’s highest non-academic honor, is awarded by the Board of Trustees," UD said. "The award dates to 1979, with UD conferring it to those who have made significant cultural, humanitarian, scientific or intellectual contributions to society or in their profession. Thorogood is the first entertainer to receive UD’s Medal of Distinction."
The university picked probably the perfect place to honor the "I Drink Alone" singer -- The Green Mansion Bar at the Hyatt on East Main Street in Newark.
Rock on George!




