George Thorogood facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George Thorogood
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Thorogood performing in 2006
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | George Lawrence Thorogood |
| Also known as | Lonesome George |
| Born | February 24, 1950 Wilmington, Delaware, U.S. |
| Genres |
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| Occupation(s) | Musician |
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| Years active | 1973–present |
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George Lawrence Thorogood (born February 24, 1950) is an American musician, singer, and songwriter. He is famous for his energetic "boogie-blues" style. His music became very popular on US rock radio in the 1980s. Some of his well-known songs include "Bad to the Bone". He also helped make older songs by famous American artists popular again. Examples are "Move It on Over" and "Who Do You Love?".
With his band, "The Delaware Destroyers" (also called "The Destroyers"), George Thorogood has released over 20 albums. Two of these albums have sold over a million copies (Platinum). Six others have sold over 500,000 copies (Gold). He has sold 15 million records around the world. George Thorogood and his band still perform many concerts. In 2024, the band celebrated 50 years of making music.
Contents
Early Life and First Steps in Music
George Lawrence Thorogood was born on February 24, 1950. He grew up in Wilmington, Delaware. His family was a middle-class family. He went to Brandywine High School. There he met Jeff Simon, who would later become his band's drummer. George was very interested in baseball when he was young. He played semi-professional baseball as a second and first baseman. He first learned about slide guitar when a friend gave him a slide for his birthday.
Starting a Music Career
George Thorogood began his music journey in 1970. He started as a solo artist, playing acoustic guitar. He was inspired by a concert he saw. He traveled to San Francisco, California, and played music on the streets. A recording of his music reached the manager of another musician. This manager convinced George to return to the East Coast. There, he played with famous blues artists.
Later, another musician told George to get an electric guitar. In December 1973, he formed his band. It was called "the Delaware Destroyers." His high school friend, Jeff Simon, was the drummer. With more musicians joining, the band created its unique sound. It was a mix of Chicago blues and rock and roll. Their first shows were in Newark, Delaware. The band's name was later shortened to "the Destroyers."
First Albums and Growing Fame
In 1974, George Thorogood recorded a demo with 20 songs. Ten of these songs were later released as an album. In 1975, the band got a recording contract with Rounder Records. Their first major album, George Thorogood and the Destroyers, came out in 1977. The next year, they released Move It on Over. This album included a new version of Hank Williams's "Move It on Over." It also had a new take on the Bo Diddley song "Who Do You Love." These songs were released as singles.
In 1980, a guitarist named Ron "Roadblock" Smith left the band. He was replaced by saxophonist Hank "Hurricane" Carter. Hank first played with the band on their fourth album. The band's early success helped the record label, Rounder Records, become more well-known.
During the late 1970s, George Thorogood and his band lived in Boston. They were friends with another blues band, The Nighthawks. Sometimes, when both bands were playing in Georgetown, they would switch clubs. George Thorogood would play with The Nighthawks, and a Nighthawks member would play with the Destroyers. This showed their strong connection.
Big Tours and Hit Songs
George Thorogood first became widely known when he opened for the Rolling Stones. This was during their 1981 U.S. tour. Around this time, the Destroyers became famous for their intense touring. They did the "50/50" tour in 1981. On this tour, the band played in all 50 US states in just 50 days. They even played in Hawaii and Alaska on back-to-back nights. They played 51 shows in 50 days, including two shows in Washington, D.C. and Maryland on the same day.
After his contract with Rounder Records ended, George Thorogood signed with EMI America Records. In 1982, they released Bad to the Bone. This album sold over 500,000 copies. The song "Bad to the Bone" became the band's most famous song. It was played on MTV and used in movies, TV shows, and commercials. Later that year, he was a special musical guest on Saturday Night Live.
The next year, the Destroyers went on their "Around the World in 80 Days Tour." They toured Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Europe, and the US. However, the tour had to end early because of an unexpected event at a festival in Spain. Later that year, George Thorogood released his only Christmas song, "Rock and Roll Christmas." The band's next two studio albums also sold over 500,000 copies.
His sixth album, Maverick, came out in 1985. This album featured a song that reached the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It was a new version of Johnny Otis's "Willie and the Hand Jive." This song reached number 63 on the chart. The album also included a song that became a concert favorite. In 1986, EMI America released George Thorogood's first live album, Live. This album was very successful and sold over a million copies. In 1988, Steve Chrismar joined the band as a rhythm guitarist. He was featured on their next album, Born to Be Bad, also released in 1988.
Later Career and Achievements
In the 1990s, George Thorogood's popularity changed a bit. His eighth album, Boogie People, sold about 300,000 copies. It included a song that became a concert favorite. The next year, The Baddest of George Thorogood and the Destroyers was released. This was the band's second album to sell over a million copies. His next album, Haircut, had the song "Get a Haircut." This song reached number 2 on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart. It was also the most played song on Canadian FM radio.
In 1995, EMI released the Destroyers' second live album. After this, the band went on a summer tour. Their next album was Rockin' My Life Away in 1997. This was their first studio album since 1977 that did not appear on the Billboard 200 chart. However, it was their first album to chart on Billboard's Top Blues Album chart.
In 1998, EMI America stopped working with the Destroyers. So, the band signed with CMC International. In 1999, they released Half a Boy/Half a Man. This album did not appear on any charts. Its single was their last single to appear on a chart. CMC International also released their third live album. Their next albums all charted high on Billboard's Top Blues Album chart.
George Thorogood signed a deal with Eagle Records in 2002. He released Ride 'Til I Die the next year. This was the last Destroyers album to feature Hank "Hurricane" Carter. He was replaced by Buddy Leach. In 2004, Greatest Hits: 30 Years of Rock was released. This was the band's last album to sell over 500,000 copies. Eagle also released their fourth live album in 2004, and The Hard Stuff in 2006.
The Destroyers returned to EMI/Capitol in 2009. They released their next album, The Dirty Dozen. This was their first album since Haircut to reach the Billboard 200 chart. It peaked at number 169. In 2011, they released their most recent studio album, 2120 South Michigan Ave.. This album was a tribute to artists from Chess Records. In 2012, George Thorogood was named one of the "50 Most Influential Delawareans of the Past 50 Years." The next year, the Destroyers celebrated their 40th anniversary with a national tour. He released his first solo album in 2017, called Party of One. This was his best-selling album in a long time.
On March 14, 2020, George Thorogood was honored. He was inducted into the Mississippi Music Project Hall of Fame. He received the MMP Music Award for his long dedication to the music industry.
Hank Carter, the band's saxophonist from 1980 to 2003, passed away on September 14, 2021. He was 71 years old.
In April 2023, George Thorogood's social media pages announced he was seriously ill. Because of this, tour dates from April 27 to May 21 were cancelled.
In February 2025, just before George Thorogood's 75th birthday, the band started their "Baddest Show on Earth Tour." This tour took them across several states and then to Australia.
Personal Life and Interests
George Thorogood married Marla Raderman on July 16, 1985. She passed away in 2019. They have one daughter named Rio Thorogood.
George has loved baseball for most of his life. He played semi-pro baseball as a second baseman in the 1970s. His bandmate, Jeff Simon, played center field on the same team. George took his daughter to her first major league baseball game. It was a game between the Cubs and the Rockies. During the game, he sang "Take Me Out to the Ball Game." In an interview in 2011, he said he is a fan of the Mets baseball team.
In April 2023, George Thorogood had to cancel the first part of his 50th anniversary tour. This was due to a serious medical condition.
Band Members
The Delaware Destroyers
- George Thorogood – lead vocals, guitars (1973–present)
- Jeff Simon – drums, percussion (1973–present)
- Billy Blough – bass guitar (1976–present)
- Jim Suhler – guitars (1999–present)
- Buddy Leach – saxophone, piano (2003–present)
Former Members
- Michael Levine – bass (1973–1976)
- Ron "Roadblock" Smith – guitar (1973–1980)
- Hank "Hurricane" Carter – saxophone (1980–2003; died 2021)
- Ian Stewart – keyboards (1982; died 1985)
- Steve Chrismar – guitar (1985–1993)
- Waddy Wachtel – guitar (1997)
Discography
Studio Albums with the Destroyers
- George Thorogood and the Destroyers (1977)
- Move It on Over (1978)
- Better Than the Rest (1979)
- More George Thorogood and the Destroyers (1980)
- Bad to the Bone (1982)
- Maverick (1985)
- Born to Be Bad (1988)
- Boogie People (1991)
- Haircut (1993)
- Rockin' My Life Away (1997)
- Half a Boy/Half a Man (1999)
- Ride 'Til I Die (2003)
- The Hard Stuff (2006)
- The Dirty Dozen (2009)
- 2120 South Michigan Ave. (2011)
Solo Studio Album
- Party of One (2017)
Concert Tours
- The 50/50 Tour (1981)
- Bad to the Bone Tour (1982-83)
- Around the World in 80 Days Tour (1983)
- Maverick Tour (1985)
- Boogie People Tour (1991)
- Haircut Tour (1993)
- 40th Anniversary Tour (2014)
- Rock Party Tour (2018)
- Good to Be Bad Tour (2021)
- Bad All Over The World Tour (2023)
- Baddest Show On Earth Tour (2025)
See also
In Spanish: George Thorogood para niños
