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Initially a minor-league baseball player, George Thorogood decided to pursue a music career after seeing a John Paul Hammond performance in 1970. This was to be a sensible choice for the blues man, going on to release over 20 albums, selling 15 million records worldwide. Whilst his music may be dismissed by blues purists, he has become widely popular through his loud, lively hits that gained significant radio exposure in the 80s. His raucous blues channels the Chicago blues sound of the 50s, with a rampant rock & roll backed by his longterm band The Destroyers.
Through regular performances on the blues club circuit, the band were discovered by Rounder Records, releasing their eponymous debut in 1977. The band's second album, "Move It on Over" (1978) was to find them huge popularity, with a cover of Hank Williams' track receiving heavy radio airplay, boosting the album's sales which reached the American top 40 and became certified Gold.
In 1982, George Thorogood signed to major label, EMI Records, releasing their major debut in 1982, titled "Bad to the Bone." The album's title track became a massive crossover hit, appealing to a wide audience and finding extensive radio airplay and rotation on MTV. The song has gone on to be featured in several films and television productions over the years. The album went Gold and spent almost a year in the charts. This success continued for Thorogood's next three albums, all becoming certified Gold.
At the start of the following decade, Thorogood's popularity waned, although he continued to release albums and tour extensively to moderate success, drawing large crowds to his performances. In recent years, Thorogood has recorded two albums of bar blues covers, releasing "The Dirty Dozen" n 2009 and "2120 South Michigan Ave.," in 2011 as a tribute to Chess Records.
A huge radio hit during the 80s, George Thorogood found a large fanbase for his boogie blues sounds that were majorly influenced by great artists of times past. The nostalgic and retro vibes still run through his discography and it is in the live environment that George is able to truly let loose with the instruments. Joined onstage by some of his most trusted musicians, they clearly have a great rapport as they each come together during mind bending instrumentals and dizzying solos.
The crowds cheer and holler at George as he runs through the highlights of his long discography with a distinct and authentic blues leaning. Fifteen million albums sold translates to a large fanbase and even though Thorogood can hold the attention of some of the country's largest venues he does not change his performance style which is visibly minimal as George simply does not need redundant production values and techniques. It allows the music to sit very much at the centre of the operation and this is what the audience reacts best to. There really is no substitute for a thorough rendition of 'Bad to The Bone' or 'Gear Jamma'.
sean-ward
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