GoLocalProv Interviews George Thorogood - Rock Legend Coming to Cranston
Ken Abrams, GoLocalProv Music Critic
GoLocalProv Interviews George Thorogood - Rock Legend Coming to Cranston
“I remember it was 110 degrees and we were exhausted from having flown in from the West Coast. We were called at the last minute due to a cancellation. It was great to be a part of it and raise some money for some needy people.”
In a GoLocalProv interview earlier this week, Thorogood looked back on a great career which shows no signs of ending anytime soon.
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George Thorogood and the Destroyers have had a long and notable career, and through it all, their concert experience hasn’t changed much. The band got its start back in the mid 70’s, when Thorogood founded The Delaware Destroyers with his high school friend and drummer Jeff Simon.
They play straight-ahead blues-rock, featuring iconic songs like “Bad to the Bone” and "Move it on Over" along with over-the-top guitar riffs.
“The band is better now, the style (of music) hasn’t changed, but we’re experienced, we’ve been playing together all these years,” noted Thorogood.
It’s a good formula that has seen the band reach superstar status. In addition to the Live Aid appearance, they famously toured with the Rolling Stones on their 1981 world tour and appeared on Saturday Night Live in 1982. They even performed a “50 States in 50 Days” tour in 1981 where they travelled the lower 48 in a checkered cab. (Hawaii and Alaska were reached by air.)
Times were a lot different on the road then. “Really, it was terrible. Bad equipment, bad P.A., no dressing rooms … sometimes even, you‘d get there and there would be no gig. We’d pile into a car in those days, no tour bus.”
Stolen Shoes
He’s had guitars stolen, and once even his shoes. “A guy in the opening band stole my shoes, that was pretty bad… today things are a lot more professional, its big business with caterers, there’s even a Nanny school in Nashville (for nannies) who go out on tour with musicians.”
“Every night when I walk out on that stage is the highlight of my career,” noted the guitar slinger. “I hit that first chord, the band kicks in, and we hear the audience respond – that’s the rush. Over 40 years into this and every night is still the only moment that matters.”
Although his songs suggest a hard rocking bluesman, (“I Drink Alone,” “One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer”), he doesn’t necessarily recommend excessive living. He’s looking forward to meeting fans “old and young,” and advises them to “wear their safety belt in the car both ways and observe the speed limit.”
He credits healthy living with allowing him to stay on the road this far. “Eat your veggies and get a good night’s sleep,” he noted in our interview. And with 8000+ shows behind him, he might have point.
George Thorogood and the Destroyers bring their impressive resume to the Park Theatre in Cranston on Sunday March 8th. Tickets are still available here. Please don’t take his shoes.
Ken Abrams reviews Roots, Rock and Blues for GoLocalProv. E-Mail him here.
Top 5 Winter Concerts
Fleetwood Mac at the Dunk
Fleetwood Mac, one of the original super groups of the 70s, returns to the area with a show at the Dunkin Donuts Center on January 28. The band totally killed it at two sellout shows this fall in Boston and we expect the same from the legendary group when they play the Dunk. Of course, the highlight for many fans will be the return of Christine McVie, who had been on hiatus since 1997. Check our review of the Boston show here for a little of what you can expect. Meanwhile, don’t stop thinking about this show.
Indigo Girls at PPAC
The Indigo Girls were in the forefront of the folk-rock revival in the 1980s. They’ve continued to develop artistically with fresh harmonies and ever relevant lyrics. With over 14 million albums sold, they’re the only duo to have Billboard Top 40 titles in the 80’s, 90’s, 00’s and 10’s. We’re looking forward to seeing how their usually stripped down sound plays when they are joined by the RI Philharmonic Orchestra at the Providence Performing Arts Center. The show is Friday the 13th of February, but we guarantee good fortune!
Nick Lowe at The Narrows
The absolute coolest holiday show around comes to the Narrows Center on Wednesday December 17 as Nick Lowe brings his “Quality Holiday Review” to Fall River. Along for the ride and backing Lowe will be Los Straitjackets, known for their Mexican wrestling masks and jammin’ guitar chops. Lowe is a well known producer and songwriter having penned hits like “Cruel to be Kind” and “What’s So Funny ‘bout Peace, Love, and Understanding.” Don’t miss this show next week at the Narrows Center.
George Clinton at Lupo's
The spectacle that is George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic is our funkiest pick for the Winter concert season. Clinton has been touring with a diverse group of musicians since the late 60s. He’s a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (the largest band ever inducted) and is coming to Lupo's on Friday February 20. They're even bringing along a new release – First You Gotta Shake the Gate. Good times are guaranteed for this one.
Mardi Gras Ball at Rhodes
Laissez les bon temps rouler! Boogie down to Rhodes on the Pawtuxet on February 28 for the 23rd Annual Cajun and Mardi Gras Ball. The biggest party of the season is always a sell out and this year should be no different with headliners Beau Soleil with Michael Doucet and Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys. Can’t wait another six months till Rhythm and Roots? Then don’t miss the Mardi Gras Ball.
Honorable Mention I
Did we mention that it’s a really busy winter concert season? The Dunkin Donuts Center has a rock show with Linkin Park, Rise Against, and Of Mice and Men on January 24. Another legend, Mr. Neil Diamond, will shake up the Dunk on March 10. Mother Falcon returns to the Columbus Theatre on January 11 and Uncle Tupelo co-founder Jay Farrar is there on February 8. And catch rocker George Thorogood at Cranston's Park Theatre on March 8.
(Pictured: Neil Diamond)
Honorable Mention II
Acclaimed Indie artist St. Vincent, who’s 2014 album made numerous “Best Of the Year” lists is coming to Lupos on Sunday March 7th. Dianna Krall is at PPAC on March 4, on her “Wallflower” tour where she will re-interpret classic rock tunes. Other highlights include legendary party rockers NRBQ, who arrive at the Narrows Center for a pre-New Years Eve show on Tuesday December 30. The Narrows Center also has a Winter Blues Festival over MLK weekend with artists including Selwyn Birchwood, Yound Neil and the Vipers and Sister Sparrow & the Dirty Birds.
(Pictured: St. Vincent)
Coffeehouse Highlights
Common Fence Music in Portsmouth has its popular "Gathering of Fiddlers and Fishermen" on January 24 hosted by John Fuzek. You can also find folk-rocker Patty Larkin there on February 7. Stone Soup in Pawtucket has Marc Douglas Berardo with Tracie Potochnik and Steve Allain on February 7 and Roots performers Atwater-Donnelly visit on March 7. And Sandywoods has a Celtic holiday concert with Matt and Shannon Heaton on December 20.
(Pictured: Patty Larkin)
