By: Peter Roche

A lot of today’s rock fans wouldn’t know a thing about Willie Dixon, Howlin’ Wolf, and Sonny Boy Williamson were it not for George Thorogood, who’s made a career of updating the old-school bluesmen with a muscular, amplified guitar sound. In fact, 2014 marked the “Bad to the Bone” author’s fortieth year in the biz. 

That’s a whole lot of drinking and disobedience.

Thorogood is now in his 60s, but he started playing guitar as a teenager.  Rather than look to the English rockers of the day for inspiration, he went straight to the source and emulated the black American musicians who’d inspired them.  Before too long, he was a boogie master:  A bit of Mississippi delta desperation here, a touch of Chicago R&B angst there…all delivered with a fiery fifth of hundred-proof barroom braggadocio.  

Armed with a strident string-plucking thumb, bright guitar tone, and trademark Cheshire grin, Thorogood released his eponymous debut in 1977.  He’s been touring regularly ever since, his amplified odes to getting drunk, high, and loose seeping into the vernacular over the ensuing decades until America’s ears were pickled.

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Such a pleasure to finally meet our favorite teacher from Norwin School District, Brian Cuturilo. It was a really a cool experience corresponding with you and your students!

"I have been using the song GET A HAIRCUT for a creative writing assignment I do with the kids for years. The idea is pretty simple. I play the song for the kids 3 times, they listen and take notes. After the 3rd time hearing the song they use their notes and what they have heard to write the story the song tells. I encourage them to be as creative as possible and create an entire back story that fits what they have heard in the song. I can tell you over the years I have read some of the funniest, most creative, and sometimes outrageous stories based on that song. Truly great stuff from a group of 11 year old kids!! Creative writing has never been this good or so cool!"