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 |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar, harmonica |
| Years active | 1973–present |
| Labels | |
George Lawrence Thorogood (born February 24, 1950) is an American musician, singer, and songwriter. He is famous for his exciting blues-rock music. His songs became very popular on rock radio in the 1980s. Some of his well-known hits include "Bad to the Bone". He also helped make older songs by famous American artists popular again, like "Move It on Over" and "Who Do You Love?".
With his band, The Delaware Destroyers (often called "The Destroyers"), George Thorogood has released over 20 albums. Two of these albums have sold over a million copies, earning a "Platinum" award. Six others have sold over 500,000 copies, earning a "Gold" award. He has sold 15 million records around the world. George Thorogood and his band still travel and perform many concerts. In 2024, the band celebrated 50 years of playing music together.
Contents
Music Career Highlights
George Thorogood started his music journey as a solo artist in 1970. He played acoustic guitar, inspired by blues legends like Robert Johnson. In 1973, he formed his band, "the Delaware Destroyers," with his friend and drummer Jeff Simon. The band quickly grew, adding more musicians. They developed a unique sound that mixed Chicago blues with rock and roll. Their first shows were in bars near the University of Delaware. Later, the band's name was shortened to "the Destroyers." During these early years, George also worked as a roadie (someone who helps set up equipment) for other musicians.
In 1974, Thorogood recorded 20 demo songs. Ten of these songs were later released as an album called Better Than the Rest. In 1975, the band signed a record deal 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 featured their popular versions of "Move It on Over" by Hank Williams and "Who Do You Love" by Bo Diddley. In 1980, saxophonist Hank "Hurricane" Carter joined the band.
In the late 1970s, George Thorogood and his band lived in Boston. They were good friends with another blues band called The Nighthawks. Sometimes, when both bands were playing in different clubs on the same street, George and the Nighthawks' guitarist would swap places. They would meet in the middle of the street, exchange guitar cords, and then play with the other band! This showed how much they loved playing music.
George Thorogood became even more famous when his band opened for the Rolling Stones on their 1981 U.S. tour. The Destroyers were known for playing many concerts. They even did a "50/50" tour in 1981. On this tour, they played in all 50 U.S. states in just 50 days! This included flying to Hawaii and Alaska for shows.
After his contract with Rounder Records ended, George Thorogood signed with EMI America Records. In 1982, they released the album Bad to the Bone. This album quickly sold over 500,000 copies, earning a gold award. The song "Bad to the Bone" became the band's most famous song. It was played on MTV and used in many movies, TV shows, and commercials. The band's next two albums also earned gold awards. His album Maverick (1985) included a song called "Willie and the Hand Jive" which was his only song to reach the top 100 on the Billboard music charts. In 1986, EMI America released George Thorogood's first live album, Live. This album was very successful and eventually sold over a million copies, earning a platinum award.
In the 1990s, the band's popularity changed a bit. Their album Boogie People (1991) sold about 300,000 copies. In 1992, The Baddest of George Thorogood was released. This was the band's second and last album to earn a platinum award. Their album Haircut (1993) featured the song "Get a Haircut". This song was very popular and was the number one most played song on Canadian radio.
In 1998, the Destroyers signed with CMC International. They released Half a Boy/Half a Man in 1999. Their live album, Live in '99, was also released by CMC International. Their later albums often ranked high on Billboard's Top Blues Album chart.
George Thorogood signed a new deal with Eagle Records in 2002. They released Ride 'Til I Die in 2003. This was the last Destroyers album to feature Hank "Hurricane" Carter, who was replaced by Buddy Leach. In 2004, Greatest Hits: 30 Years of Rock was released, which was the band's last album to earn a gold award.
The Destroyers returned to EMI/Capitol in 2009 to release The Dirty Dozen. This album reached the Billboard 200 chart. In 2011, they released 2120 South Michigan Ave., which honored artists from Chess Records. In 2012, George Thorogood was named one of the "50 Most Influential Delawareans of the Past 50 Years." He released his first solo album, Party of One, in 2017. This album was very popular.
On March 14, 2020, George Thorogood was honored and inducted into the Mississippi Music Project Hall of Fame. He received the MMP Music Award for his long and important work in the music industry.
Hank Carter, the band's saxophonist from 1980 to 2003, passed away on September 14, 2021, at age 71. In April 2023, George Thorogood had to cancel some tour dates because he was seriously ill.
Personal Life
George Thorogood married Marla Rademan on July 16, 1985. She passed away in 2019. They have one daughter named Rio Thorogood.
George Thorogood has loved baseball for most of his life. In the 1970s, he even played semi-professional baseball as a second baseman. His band's drummer, Jeff Simon, played center field on the same team! George once took his daughter to her first major league baseball game in Chicago. During the game, he sang "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" for everyone. He has said that he is a fan of the New York Mets baseball team.
In April 2023, George Thorogood had to cancel the first part of his 50th-anniversary tour because of a serious health issue.
Band Members
The 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)
- Maverick Tour (1985)
- Boogie People Tour (1991)
- Haircut Tour (1993)
- Rock Party Tour (2018)
- Good to Be Bad Tour (2021)
- Bad All Over The World Tour (2023)
Images for kids
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Thorogood and Jim Suhler performing in 2010
See also
In Spanish: George Thorogood para niños
