George Thorogood and the Destroyers to perform Sept. 12 in Troy
Courtesy Dan Thrasher @ Dayton Daily News
Like many bands, George Thorogood and the Destroyers, performing at Hobart Arena in Troy on Sunday, Sept. 12, were on the road in March 2020. The coronavirus changed everything.
“We were active from the end of January 2020 right up until the middle of March,” Thorogood said. “We started in New Zealand and ended up in Mississippi. That’s a lot of travel. We had work scheduled all across the continent and Canada. Then the lockdown came, which was the smart thing to do, and we had to put everything on hold for a while. You know, safety first. You’ve got to get the planet healthy before we can start rocking.”
Thorogood says he was occupied with some unspecified personal issues during last year’s shutdowns, which distracted him from creating new music.
“I’m still in the process of taking care of some things but that allowed me time to do that,” he said. “As far as creativity, I’m not a Paul McCartney or a Bob Dylan by any stretch of the imagination. Something creative usually just hits me. I don’t say, ‘OK, today I’m going to write a song.’ That’s a talent in its own self. Something might hit me and I’ll say, ‘That might be a good idea of something to do.’ But with what’s going on, I really didn’t have time for that sort of thing.”
Thorogood formed the first version of his blues rock band the Destroyers in Delaware in 1973. Rounder Records released the group’s self-titled debut three years later. While there have been ups and downs, the band has continued to record and tour. After releasing projects on EMI and Capitol Records, Thorogood returned to Rounder in 2015.
While there wasn’t time for new music during the COVID shutdowns, Thorogood did have one new release in 2020. Craft Recordings released “Live In Boston, 1982: The Complete Concert” in December. It was his first offering since Rounder released “Party of One” in 2017.
“We have this live thing going and it seems to be doing pretty good,” Thorogood said. “I’ve got to take time out and listen to it one of these days. I’ve been pretty busy. I’ve got to wash my socks and all that fun stuff, but one of these days they’ll tie me to a chair and make me listen to that sucker.”
“I’m always a little rusty when we start out, no matter what the situation is,” he said. “We’ve had stretches off in the past for a year-and-a-half. Some of the cats keep active with their chops, whereas our drummer and myself, we kind of back off when we’re not touring. Then, I found some cats in Southern California and we jammed so I could get my chops up to snuff. We actually did a private party and that helped.”
While he’s enjoying his time back on the road with the band, Thorogood admits it’s quite different than pre-pandemic touring.
“There’s absolutely nothing normal about any of this,” he said. “As we move from state to state and town to town, the venues are different everywhere, but the fan response and turnout is pretty consistent and that’s what’s important.
“There might be a little bit of an extra edge due to the lockdown and everything but it is pretty much business as usual,” Thorogood added. “We’re very fortunate the fans we have are very exuberant people and their enthusiasm has never waned over the years.”
Classic Rock Icon George Thorogood Dedicates the Month of September on the Good to Be Bad Tour to Late Wife Marla
Proceeds from merchandise and $1 from tickets sold at participating locations will benefit ovarian cancer initiatives at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center
George Thorogood presents donation to Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. Pictured from left to right: Jim Hutt (Road Manager/George Thorogood), Dr. Ronald Alvarez (Chairman of Obstetrics and Gynecology/VUMC), Casey Holden (Director of Community Development/VUMC), George Thorogood, and Adam Conde (Manager/George Thorogood and The Destroyers).
George Thorogood and the Destroyers have sold over 15 million albums, built a classic catalog of hits, and played more than 8,000 ferocious live shows. As they hit the road in 2021, their Good to Be Bad Tour will not only celebrate 45 years of blues-based rock, but it will also mark their first year officially partnering with Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville, Tennessee.
After losing his wife, Marla, in 2019 from ovarian cancer, Thorogood announced the establishment of the Marla Thorogood Memorial Fund for Ovarian Cancer Research. At the time, they had been married for 34 years and have one daughter, Rio, who has performed with her father and is an accomplished musician and actress.
Beginning this September, a limited-edition T-shirt featuring the Destroyers logo in the color teal will be available for purchase online and at shows. Teal is the official color of Ovarian Cancer Awareness month, which takes place throughout the month of September. 100% of the net proceeds from the T-shirt sales will benefit ovarian cancer research at Vanderbilt-Ingram via the Marla Thorogood Memorial Fund for Ovarian Cancer Research. In addition, $1 from each ticket sold at participating locations will also support the fund at Vanderbilt-Ingram.
All proceeds will go toward the research being conducted under the leadership of Ronald D. Alvarez, MD, MBA, Chairman and Clinical Service Chief and Betty and Lonnie S. Burnett Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. The team focuses on research identifying new strategies to screen for ovarian cancer and more effective therapies.
“Due to advances in surgery, chemotherapy and the introduction of new therapies, patients affected by ovarian cancer are now living longer than they ever have,” said Alvarez. “While we certainly have a long way to go, George Thorogood and The Destroyers’ commitment to ovarian cancer research and the work at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center will serve as a crucial step in eradicating this disease.”
According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 21,410 women will receive a new diagnosis of ovarian cancer every year, and approximately 13,700 will pass away from ovarian cancer annually.
“I am dedicated to supporting ovarian cancer awareness, education and research that will lead to providing screenings and educating more women about this disease,” said Thorogood. “It is important for women to get annual exams and take charge of their health. My daughter and I want to do what we can to save lives.”
AUGUST 2021 BOOGIE PEOPLE FAN OF THE MONTH
Congratulations to the Boogie People Fan of the Month for August 2021, Racquel, M! Learn more about Racquel below!
Where are you from?: Australia now in California
How many years have you been a fan?: 40 Years
What is your favorite George Thorogood song: Willie and the hand jive
How many times have you seen George Thorogood live? What was your favorite show?: 4. My favorite show was in NZ and they were with Santana
What’s one thing that sets you apart from other George Thorogood fans?: I’ve seen them play in Australia New Zealand and USA1
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September 2021 BOOGIE PEOPLE FAN OF THE MONTH
Congratulations to the Boogie People Fan of the Month for September 2021, Frosty W from Idaho! Learn more about Frosty below!
Where are you from?: Post Falls, ID
How many years have you been a fan?: Over 40 years. Saw him playing on Dick Clark special
What is your favorite George Thorogood song: All of them!
How many times have you seen George Thorogood live? What was your favorite show?: Close to 20 times. Kinda lost count👍
What’s one thing that sets you apart from other George Thorogood fans?: My daughter is named after cover one of my favorites live Madison Blues
Want a chance to be featured as the Boogie People Fan of the Month? Join NOW!