Courtesy - AXSCourtesy - AXS
By: James Wood

With a sound best described as powerhouse rock with bar band roots, George Thorogood and The Destroyers rose from the clubs of the Delaware Valley and New England areas in the early '70s on the strength of his take on songs by blues masters like Robert Johnson, John Lee Hooker and Bo Diddley.

Over the course of his 40-year career, Thorogood has released 16 studio albums (including six gold and two platinum) as well as opened for The Rolling Stones on their historic 1981 tour and took part of Live Aid in 1985 where he got to perform with Diddley as well as fellow blues legend Albert Collins. Thorogood has also put his own signature stamp on the blues with songs likes "Bad To The Bone" and "I Drink Alone".

To help celebrate his milestone career, Thorogood plans to do what he does best - bring his music to the people. His upcoming ‘Badder Than Ever’ Tour will visit 15 cities up and down the East Coast and California. In addition to those solo dates, Thorogood will also be teaming up with another musical icon, Brian Setzer for a monthlong tour that will kick off May 27 in Red Bank, New Jersey.

AXS recently caught up with Thorogood to find out about the tours as well as his music and some of the highlights of his career.

What can fans expect from your tour this time around?

They can expect that it will be a better show than the last time I played. The idea is you’re always supposed to improve every time you come around. That’s the only way to stay in business.

Read more: 'Badder Than Ever': George Thorogood discusses new tours, music and career

Courtesy Music Interview Magazine
By Paul J Wolfle

With a wide-ranging catalog of classic FM radio hits, his music is essential listening for any serious rock fan. His albums include six gold and two platinum collections. He created an enduring guitar lick which has become a worldwide generational favorite. To his credit, he has fronted one group of musicians over the last four decades. What’s more, he has a new tour kicking off this month and an upcoming gig as co-headliner in the spring. He is still the baddest of them all. It can only be the inimitable George Thorogood.

On the road again, an international trend, call him a rock god

George Thorogood and the Destroyers are ready to embark on the “Badder Than Ever” tour, beginning Feb. 27 in Burlington, Vermont. The Delaware-based axe slinger will surely be busy this spring and summer. Thorogood and company will also join Brian Setzer for the former Stray Cat’s “Rockabilly Riot” national tour which begins May 27.

After their US schedule is wrapped, Thorogood and the Destroyers will travel across the Atlantic to Germany, Holland and then Norway. It seems everyone wants a piece of George, but in a good way. You can check out the complete list of “Badder Than Ever” concert dates below. Tickets for select cities are on sale now.

Thorogood walks among the pantheon of rock’s most elite stars. Few can match his accomplishments. With a slew of best selling singles and albums, you might think he would want to stop and smell the roses for a while. Not George. He remains at the top of his game, hungry and poised to strike that first chord for audiences. Like a six-string sidewinder, he is fast, precise and aims for the bull’s-eye every time.

An Interview with George Thorogood

MusicInterviewMagazine.com caught up with George Thorogood prior to his “Badder than Ever” tour. The renowned rocker talked about readying for the road, “Bad to the Bone,” the World Series and much more.

Read more: George Thorogood Talks ‘Badder Than Ever’ Tour 2015, His Signature Riff and More

 

For the first time in more than 20 years, fans will be able to catch two legendary acts on the road together this summer on the George Thorogood And The Destroyers / Brian Setzer’s Rockabilly Riot Tour 2015, as they co-headline a national U.S. tour from May 27-June 20.  The tour will begin in Red Bank, New Jersey, and will hit such cities as New York, Baltimore, Detroit, Chicago (Elgin), Milwaukee, Denver, and more.

 

Says Brian: "Blues and Billy with a kick! Where else you gonna see this?!?”  Adds George, “I am looking forward to working with Brian again.  He is a great American artist and a true rock & roller in the classic rockabilly fashion!"

Brian Setzer, iconic guitarist, songwriter vocalist and three-time Grammy-award-winner, is a "Musician's Musician" credited with continually taking chances with innovative and daring musical styles, while single-handedly resurrecting two forgotten genres of music (rockabilly in the ‘80's and swing in the '90's). Along the way, he has scored chart-topping hits, sold 13 million records and received the Orville H. Gibson Lifetime Achievement Award throughout his decorated career as founder/leader of the Stray Cats, his 18-piece Brian Setzer Orchestra, and as a solo artist. He is consistently cited as one of the world’s greatest living guitarists, and has a best-selling, extensive line of elite Gretsch signature model guitars bearing his name. Brian appeared in the 1987 film, La Bamba (the biographical film written following the life and career of Chicano rock 'n' roll star Ritchie Valens), portraying rockabilly pioneer Eddie Cochran. In 2002, Brian earned the distinct honor of being one of the few musicians to be animated in an episode of “The Simpsons,” an episode which also featured rock 'n' roll legends Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. That same year, Setzer was personally requested to induct Chet Atkins into the 17^th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Setzer recently released his new album, ROCKABILLY RIOT!: ALL ORIGINAL, a straight-ahead rockabilly album from start to finish with 12 new songs featuring Setzer’s trademark twang and fretboard fire, on Surfdog Records. Last October (2014), Setzer earned the distinct honor of being asked by the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C.to donate a replica guitar evocative of his original 1959 Gretsch 6120 “Stray Cat” guitar, joining an elite collection of musical instruments at the museum including John Coltrane’s saxophone, Dizzy Gillespie’s trumpet, Prince’s Yellow Cloud electric guitar and the Van Halen “Frank 2” guitar played and made famous by Eddie Van Halen.

George Thorogood And The Destroyers – whose lineup includes Jeff Simon (drums, percussion), Bill Blough (bass guitar), Buddy Leach (saxophone), and Jim Suhler (rhythm guitar),  performed more than 100 live concerts last year, touring the U.S. and Canada with their powerhouse rock with bar band roots, unchained attitude, and a fierce love of their country and blues history. Over the course of 16 studio albums during the last four decades, George and The Destroyers have stormed the charts with six Gold and two Platinum selling albums. They have performed more than 8,000 live shows, and have sold more than 15 million albums. From their first show at Lane Hall, through legendary appearances on SNL and Live Aid, the opening slot on the Rolling Stones historic ’81 tour, their own record-breaking 50/50 tour, or any of their current 100+ shows per year – the band is known worldwide as road warriors. Prior to the Thorogood/Setzer tour, Thorogood and his band will embark on the “George Thorogood And The Destoyers:  Badder Than Ever” tour which begins on February 27 in Burlington, Vermont, and concludes on April 26 at Stagecoach Festival in Indio, California. 

Click here to view the entire tour listing.

 

Read more: George Thorogood & Brian Setzer co-headline National U.S. tour May 27 - June 20!

Courtesy - Charity Buzz

You and a guest could meet George Thorogood and receive 2 tickets from the artist guest list to an upcoming show of your choice! Plus you will receive signed merchandise including a signed vinyl, ballcap, and t-shirt. Click here for details on this auction and how you can help the  Sweet Relief Musicians Fund​!