Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Beyond 'Bad to the Bone,' Thorogood offers blues-based rock 'n' roll

T.S. Last News-Bulletin Staff Writer; tlast@news-bulletin.com

Sandia Pueblo Blue-collar blues-rock is one way to sum up the music of George Thorogood and the Destroyers, who will be kicking off the fourth leg of their 2006 tour at Sandia Resort and Casino on Wednesday.

Thorogood and the Destroyers, who once played 50 shows in 50 states in 50 days, have built a reputation over a 30-year career as a band that works hard and plays hard.

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This year's tour — in support of their 12th studio album, "The Hard Stuff," released in May — has already taken them to 10 countries and 13 states. But the 55-year-old Thorogood never grows weary of playing hard-driving blues-based rock 'n' roll.

"I get tired, but I don't get tired of it," he said in a recent phone interview with the News-Bulletin. "What else is there besides playing in a rock band? Nothing."

Thorogood, who grew up in the industrial town of Wilmington, Del., has an affinity for his blue-collar fan base.

"I'm just a working stiff and family man. I spend as much time with my wife and daughter as possible," said Thorogood, who will be coming off a month-long break from touring.

A family man, OK. But a working stiff? Man, you're a rock 'n' roll star.

"I've got that going, too," he said. "I'm a rock star on the bandstand, and there's nobody badder at it than me."

Thorogood and the Destroyers erupted onto the music scene in the late 1970s with their self-titled debut album, which included the much-reveled "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer" — a cover of an old John Lee Hooker tune. The album also included rocked up versions of songs by blues kings Bo Diddley, Elmore James and Leadbelly.

The band's second release, "Move It On Over," took its title from a song on the album first done by Hank Williams, who modified it from a song originally done by bluesman Charley Patton. "Move It On Over" and Diddley's "Who Do You Love?" were huge hits that established Thorogood as one of America's preeminent rockers.

"I didn't make those songs famous; they made me famous," he said.

Thorogood cemented his place in the hearts of working class Americans — and the American pop culture — with "Bad to the Bone," a song he wrote, in 1982. Tunes like "I Drink Alone," and "I Really Like Girls" followed on subsequent albums, adding to his blue-collar appeal.

The new album includes covers of songs by John Lee Hooker ("Huckle Up"), Jimmy Reed ("Little Rain Falling") and Fats Domino ("Hello Josephine"), as well as original songs, such as the title track and "Anytown USA."

In addition to some of the newer material off "The Hard Stuff," Thorogood promised the Sandia show would include the songs that made him famous.

"The new songs we put in the show are very groovy," he said, adding those attending Wednesday's show at Sandia won't be disappointed. "They'll witness the greatest rock 'n' roll show on the planet."

Legendary blues singer/guitarist Buddy Guy opens the show at 6 p.m.

Ticket prices are $35 and $40.

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