Rock ’n’ roll never sleeps with “groovy” tunes.
Courtesy City View
During the past 45 years, George Thorogood has performed more than 8,000 live shows. He has sold 15 million albums — two have gone platinum; six have gone gold. His “Bad to the Bone” recording has made the Top 100 Classic Rock Songs list, and he was the 2018 recipient of the BB King award, which recognizes the talent of artists who have left a mark on the blues scene.
Thorogood is bringing his Good to Be Bad Tour: 45 Years of Rock to Hoyt Sherman Place on April 28. CITYVIEW caught up to Thorogood prior to this upcoming concert. In this interview, his responses — like his songs — are short, staccato-like, and to the point. When asked about returning to Hoyt, he says, “The demand is still there for us. Anyone who asks us — we come back.”
With “Bad to the Bone,” the song’s popularity earned its way into countless movies scenes, when a bad event is about to happen. He shrugs off the idea that his song is in numerous movies.
“It’s a common statement,” he says. “It’s only in less than one half of 1 percent of all movies made. It’s not much. … We thought it would be an American Slang. I don’t think it ever happened. It’s just a groovy song fans like to hear.”
At age 69 — when most people quit their job — there’s little chance of retirement for Thorogood. It would seem tactless that a reporter dare ask such a foolish question, but since we did, here’s his response.
The Best-Selling Musical Act from Each State
Courtesy Paste Magazine
Curious to learn who’s the most popular band from your home state? From Idaho? From Puerto Rico and Guam? (Google those last two—we’re not heroes.) This list (updated in part from information organized by one dedicated Reddit user in 2017) ranks the highest-selling musical acts from each state according to statistics provided by the Recording Industry Association of America in terms of total units sold. Gold records are equivalent to half a million albums, while platinum ones equate to a million albums. We’re looking at U.S.-only totals (for a global look, here are the best-selling albums of all-time). And we’re defining origin by state of birth or state where a band was formed. As for streaming data — well, that’s another article for another time, sheerly for our sanity here at Paste.
Delaware: George Thorogood
George Thorogood, a native of Wilmington, helped to popularize a blues-rock sound at the peak of his career with hits like “Bad to the Bone” and Bo Diddley’s “Who Do You Love?” He famously toured 50 states in 50 days, ensuring his influence was felt well outside the First State.
For the complete list click here.
George Thorogood and the Destroyers coming to El Paso
EL PASO, Texas - George Thorogood isn't entirely "bad to the bone."
The singer and his band are bringing their 'Good to Be Bad Tour' to the Plaza Theatre on Saturday, April 6 at 8 p.m.
This marks the fifth consecutive year that George Thorogood and the Destroyers are supporting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society by donating $1 from each ticket sold on the tour to LLS.
NAMM 2019: Gibson Details New Signature Artist Guitars
Chuck Berry ES-350T and George Thorogood ‘White Fang’ ES-125TDC are among the many offerings on tap.
NAMM 2019: In addition to a spat of recently-announced new electrics and acoustics, Gibson has teamed up with Chuck Berry’s son and grandson to recreate Berry’s famed ES-350T. According to the company, Berry’s original guitar was “x-rayed down to the micro-level” in order to craft the new instrument.
The company has also reported that several additional signature models are currently in the works. These include: an Epiphone Ltd Ed Thorogood “White Fang” ES-125TDC; an Epiphone Limited Edition Jared James Nichols "Old Glory" Les Paul Custom Outfit; an Epiphone Limited Edition Dave Rude Flying V Outfit; a Custom Shop Dave Amato Signature Axcess Les Paul; a Custom Shop Brian Ray '62 SG Jr.; a Custom Shop Lee Roy Parnell Signature 1959 Les Paul Standard; a Slim Harpo ’62 ES-330 and a Michael Clifford Signature Melody Maker.
This new announcement follows the recently-revealed Chris Cornell Tribute Model ES-335. Features of the Cornell guitar include aged Lollartron humbucking pickups, clear “no number” Top Hat knobs, an Olive Drab Satin finish and a Mother-of-Pearl Chris Cornell ‘signature’ peghead inlay. Only 250 will be available, with a portion of the proceeds going to charities in his name.
For more information, head over to Gibson.com.