George Thorogood “Something without some flaws to it, it’s just not natural.”
Courtesy: WBAB.com
George Thorogood and The Destroyers are coming to The Paramount in Huntington on February 19, 2025. We caught up with George via Zoom to talk about the show, what he’s listening to, the Bob Dylan movie and a lot more. Watch our conversation here.
George Thorogood and The Destroyers are coming to The Paramount on February 19, 2025. We recently caught up with George to talk about the show and more. When George and I speak there is always a lot of joking around, and that’s right where we started this time as well. The last couple times George and The Destroyers played The Paramount were sold out shows. We are certainly expecting that kind of energy again. The show falls just days before George’s 75th birthday. That could certainly add to the party atmosphere for the night.
When I mentioned that to George, he informed me that it was actually actor Lee Marvin’s birthday. In fact, if Lee were still alive, it would be his 101st birthday. We did dive into some discussion of Lee and his career. George shared that being on the road for so long that they’ve “Seen a lot of movies, over and over and over.”
The Destroyers last visit to The Paramount was filmed. I tried to pin George down on if we are expecting the release of that show. George did mention Scorsese during the discussion. I think I’d be safe in guessing that his name was mentioned in jest.
Very often George and I discuss older music. It prompted me to ask him who are the younger artists catching his attention. George did give a mention to Gary Clark Jr here. “He could become the next Buddy Guy, maybe.”
George’s career not only includes his compositions, but he’s also scored with many cover songs. I asked George if his interpretations of these songs were just how he heard the tunes. His response was “No, it’s just the way I play it.” He also joked that “I know one chord and I pound it until someone takes notice.” That’s when he gave a shout out to Bo Diddley and John Lee Hooker and all they were able to accomplish with just one chord.
We then started to talk about Bob Dylan. George has been a long time Dylan fan. That’s where we began to discuss the film “A Complete Unknown.” He said, “They nailed it.” George even voiced his support for Edward Norton to win the Oscar for playing Pete Seeger. He mentioned having met Bob three times. And then really dove into speaking about the film. We discussed Dylan first getting on George’s radar around 1963. He spoke about AM radio playing folk music back in those days. George mentioned his older brother bringing home a Live, Peter Paul and Mary album including Dylan’s “Blowin’ In The Wind.” He had never heard the song before. George clearly gives Dylan the credit for inspiring him to hit the road.
I asked George who he was listening to most recently. He mentioned a name I had never heard before, Alice Gomez. Alice is an internationally acclaimed Latina composer, inspired by her own Mexican culture. Do not expect Alice Gomez to sound like any of the other artists that we had discussed up to this point. She is quite different for sure. Certainly, more of an instrumental composer. George described her music as hypnotic and beautiful.
George and I spoke about so much getting lost in music these days by the search for perfection. One of the last things George said to me was “Baby, let me tell you something. There is nothing more boring than perfection.” “Something without some flaws to it, it’s just not natural.”
FEBRUARY 2025 BOOGIE PEOPLE FAN OF THE MONTH
Congratulations to the Boogie People Fan of the Month for February 2025, Michael W! Learn more about Michael below!
Where are you from?: Colorado Springs
How many years have you been a fan?: 25 years
What is your favorite George Thorogood song: "You Talk To Much"
How many times have you seen George Thorogood live? What was your favorite show? 21 times. Red rocks with Buddy Guy.
What’s one thing that sets you apart from other George Thorogood fans?: I have never seen George Thorogood less than eight rows away.
Want a chance to be featured as the Boogie People Fan of the Month? Join NOW!
The decade the blues mutated: A beginners' guide to 80s blues in 10 essential albums
Courtesy: Dominic Pedler / Loudersound.com
The 80s also saw the blues transform like never before, with Stevie Ray Vaughan drawing in hard rockers and purists alike and Robert Cray taking it to the masses.
While the blues had been the essential touchstone of 60s rock, inspiring the major players from the Rolling Stones and Cream to Jimi Hendrix and early Led Zeppelin, it had steadily fallen from grace during the following decade. Prog, punk, disco and heavy metal successively took centre stage, and the rise of the synth signalled the demotion of the guitar.
But deep in the American heartland there was a revolution brewing, which would produce a barrage of new six-string heroes. Leading the charge in 1983 was a 29-year-old Texan who rewrote the blues rules with the power of Jimi Hendrix, the soul of Albert King and a sackful of further influences from Lonnie Mack to Kenny Burrell.
‘Discovered’ by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards in a Dallas club, Stevie Ray Vaughan transformed the genre, becoming a superstar following his 1983 album Texas Flood, the most impressive blues debut since Eric Clapton on John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers back in 1966.
The 80s also saw the blues mutate like never before. While Stevie Ray Vaughan drew in hard rockers and purists alike, Robert Cray took the blues to the masses, with 1986’s Strong Persuader becoming a million-selling success. And let’s not forget ZZ Top’s make-over from rednecks to cheeky, chart-friendly blues rockers.
Meanwhile, having dabbled in jazz fusion with The Yellowjackets, session ace Robben Ford brought a sophistication to the blues when he went back to his roots for his debut solo album. At the other extreme, George Thorogood supercharged a supply of Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley and John Lee Hooker standards with his searing slide-guitar style.
As the dust was settling, a blind Canadian upped the ante with an extraordinary two-handed style. Playing with his guitar on his lap, Jeff Healey saw out the decade with renditions of his heroes, while scoring mainstream success with his songwriting.
The new blues scene prompted John Lee Hooker to reinvent himself as the elder statesman of the blues. With Carlos Santana, Keith Richards and Bonnie Raitt among the stars guesting his album The Healer, the record became a blueprint for a string of celebrity blues collaborations in the following decade.
All that was missing was another British Blues Boom. Apart from the highlights on 1985’s Behind The Sun, Eric Clapton was largely overshadowed by the action on the other side of the Atlantic. At least until his performance at Live Aid sparked his revival and a welcome return to recording form with Journeyman.
Waiting in the wings was the next British Blues God, Gary Moore, preparing to ditch his heavy metal halo as the 90s dawned. But that’ll have to wait.
While ZZ Top grabbed the headlines, Thorogood was cleaning up on the roadhouse circuit. With his primal guitar and raw vocals, he was the real deal of redneck blues, tearing through Bo Diddley rhythms and Chuck Berry licks.
On Baddest…, which captures the best of his 80s output, look out for the hilarious segue through John Lee Hooker’s House Rent Boogie/One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer and the irresistible If You Don’t Start Drinking (I’m Gonna Leave).
For the complete list click here.
JANUARY 2025 BOOGIE PEOPLE FAN OF THE MONTH
Congratulations to the Boogie People Fan of the Month for January 2025, Richard P! Learn more about Richard below!
Where are you from?: New York
How many years have you been a fan?: 45 years
What is your favorite George Thorogood song: "Move It On Over"
How many times have you seen George Thorogood live? What was your favorite show? I have not seen him yet but I'm finally going to in February and I'm so excited!
What’s one thing that sets you apart from other George Thorogood fans?: I have fond memories of George Thorogood playing on the old kitchen radio in my childhood home, the guitars and distinctive voice booming while mom cooked. When I hear George and the Destroyers it makes me feel alive and happy, his music is such a part of my DNA for so long.
Want a chance to be featured as the Boogie People Fan of the Month? Join NOW!