The Exhibit Honors Legendary Band’s 50th Anniversary With Installation of Iconic Wardrobe, Instruments, Vintage Gear & More

George Thorogood & The Destroyers announces the launch of their career-spanning collection in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ‘Legends of Rock’ exhibit today. Commemorating the band’s 50th Anniversary, the exhibit showcases iconic items on the fifth floor of the Cleveland rock shrine Fans will have a chance to see iconic items from the band’s illustrious career including Thorogood’s Gibson ES-125TDC electric guitar, 1966 Fender Dual Showman amplifier head, and custom faux snakeskin jacket; Bill Blough’s 1964 Fender Precision Bass Guitar; the late Hank Carter’s Selmer Super Action Series II alto saxophone; Jeff Simon’s White Slingerland Bass Drum; the Shure Vocal Master WA301S Speaker used as part of the Destroyers’ original P.A.; and the Checker Marathon roof sign from the taxi driven by the band on their historic ’50 States/50 Dates’ tour, and more.

The exhibit arrives on the heels of series of two hugely successful events in Los Angeles commemorating the band’s December 1, 1973 debut performance at the University of Delaware. “For the past fifty years, we’ve spent nearly every night making music,” George Thorogood reflects. “According to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, we were also making history. Our heart and soul have been in this since day one; rock fans recognize that. The band and I are enormously humbled by this honor.” 

After five decades, more than 8,000 live performances, over 15 million albums sold, and now-classic hits that include “I Drink Alone,” “One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer,” “Move It On Over,” “Who Do You Love” and the definitive badass anthem “Bad To The Bone,” few bands can still rock the house like George Thorogood & The Destroyers. For the past half-century and with no signs of slowing down, Thorogood and his long-time band – Jeff Simon (drums), Bill Blough (bass), Jim Suhler (guitar), and Buddy Leach (saxophone) – have delivered landmark performances at Live Aid and on SNL; opened club gigs for Muddy Waters and stadiums for The Rolling Stones; and remain one of the most reliable/formidable live acts in the world, with last year’s run of nearly 100 shows in 17 countries across three continents including Europe and Australia, being one of their biggest years yet. 

Listen to George Thorogood & The Destroyers’ Greatest Hits HERE.

Courtesy Brett Callwood / LA Weekly

George Thorogood (Gently) Destroys the Grammy Museum: We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again — these Grammy Museum events are superb. The Q&A’s are always informative, the moderators informed and well-prepared, and when there is a short performance afterwards, they’re always a blast.

George Thorogood & the Destroyers were there on Thursday, and it was a predictably entertaining evening. Thorogood himself is an animated talker — a compelling and likable storyteller who takes every opportunity to involve the invested crowd in every twist and turn of his bio snippets.

He wasn’t the only one there; the stage was packed with Destroyers. They didn’t get much of a word in, such is Thorogood’s “Chatty Kathy” personality. But they were on hand to add color when necessary, and it was good to see them in this environment.

So we heard Thorogood talk about the band’s early days, and the fact that to this day he hates the photos on the debut album sleeve. He talked about discovering the blues and country, and the fact that he believes Robert Johnson and Hank Williams to be music’s greatest geniuses. And he talked about the fact that he always wanted to cover blues songs that nobody else (such as the Stones or Savoy Brown) was covering.

Thorogood took questions from the adoring audience, and then it was time for the short set. It started with George playing a couple of blues tunes solo, including John Lee Hooker’s “New Boogie Chillin’,” and then the band joined him (fully plugged in) for renditions of “Ride On Josephine” and of course “Bad to the Bone.”

Much like when we saw Sammy Hagar here, or Lana Del Rey, the gift at these shows is seeing a premier league artist on the most intimate of surroundings.

George Thorogood (Gently) Destroys the Grammy Museum: For more info, visit grammymuseum.org.

Congratulations to the Boogie People Fan of the Month for December 2023, Tom F! Learn more about Tom below!

Where are you from?: Sanford, FL

How many years have you been a fan?: 40Years

What is your favorite George Thorogood song: Born to Be Bad

How many times have you seen George Thorogood live? What was your favorite show? 25 or so. I think it was 1984 at the Los Angeles Colesium with the Rolling Stones, J Geils, and Prince....amazing show!!!!

What’s one thing that sets you apart from other George Thorogood fans?: I can't think of any unique attributes, but I do believe he and his band mates give an amazing show every time!!!!

Want a chance to be featured as the Boogie People Fan of the Month? Join NOW!

This holiday season, legendary classic rock band George Thorogood and the Destroyers are spreading the love through their "Who Do You Love” holiday campaign. The campaign, running from November 25^TH to January 5^TH, aims to raise awareness and support for three impactful charities.
 
Our opening act is Musically Fed, a nonprofit working nationally with artists and producers in the music and live entertainment industries to help feed veterans, seniors, and families facing food insecurity by reducing catering and food waste. We love Musically Fed because they leave a lasting and positive impact on communities by treating everyone with dignity and feeding the least fortunate among us. They’ll be featured from November 25^TH through December 8^TH.
 
From December 9^TH through December 22^ND, the second leg of the campaign will focus on Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, an organization committed to providing financial assistance to musicians facing illness, disability, or age-related problems. Fans are urged to lend their support to ensure that the music never stops for those who bring joy to our lives.
 
Concluding the campaign, George Thorogood and the Destroyers shine a light on The Marla Thorogood Memorial Fund for Ovarian Cancer Research from December 23^RD through January 5^TH. This fund, in memory of George's late wife, aims to advance research and awareness surrounding ovarian cancer and fans are encouraged to contribute to this vital cause and honor Marla's legacy. Proceeds from the Marla Thorogood Memorial Fund will go toward the research 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. Part of Alvarez’s work studies gene mutations that put women at risk for ovarian and breast cancer and identifies those at risk to prevent cases.
 
George and Marla Thorogood were married in July of 1985. At the time of Marla’s passing, they had been married 34 years and have one daughter, Rio, who has performed with her father and is an accomplished musician and actor in her own right.
 
This holiday season, let's come together and show love to those in need. Each charity holds a special place in our hearts, and we hope our fans will join us in supporting these incredible causes. 
 
Fans can get involved by engaging with the band's official social media channels to raise awareness and contribute to the featured charities. George Thorogood and the Destroyers believe in the power of music to make a positive impact and invite their fans to join them in spreading love and support this holiday season.

For more information and to join the cause, visit:
 
facebook.com/georgethorogood | instagram.com/georgethorogoodofficial twitter.com/thorogoodmusic