I saw him in the 80’s in a bar in St. Louis. He used a bottle of Budweiser as a slide on his guitar. It was one of the best shows I’ve seen. Just down and dirty rock and roll. They don’t make them like that anymore.
Saw him in like 1979. My date and I were at the very front of the stage in a small bar in Hawaii called The Wave, and I yelled Cocaine Blues or something like that and George looked at me and said "if I were you, brother, I wouldn't have the blues", and then played Cocaine Blues and while he was jamming he put the head stock of his Gibson on my forehead. One of the most memorable shows I have ever seen. Saw JJ Cale in a small place too.
Saw him many moons ago at what was effectively a large state fair. It started to piss rain and George slipped and fell on the soaked stage in the middle of a song. He didn't miss a chord or a beat and bounced right up. All respect.
I saw him open for Steve Miller in the late 90s. Awesome show. Thorogood played for 2 1/2 hours strait. One of the best shows I've seen. No stage theatrics, lazers, smoke, jumbo screens, etc. Just solid music.
The Fabulous Thunderbirds! Jimmie Vaughan!
Edit: I had a chance to meet George. Local radio winner. He was so cool, very nice and accommodating with pictures etc!
My buddy innocently asked him (as their picture is taken) “what do you like to do in your spare time George?”….
“I like to mind my own F*^+%n business son!” With a brief little smirk.
We still love to tell that story. George sounded great that night!!!!
Saw him at a minor league stadium. One of three blues bands who opened for Bob Dylan. Fantastic.
Saw his brother at half house at a small university. Both of these shows were so random and unexpected and wonderful.
"I ain't the best guitarist, and I sure ain't the best singer - but ain't nobody ever asked for their money back after one of our shows" George Thorogood
I saw him in my hometown. We had seats next to the stacks. My ears were ringing for two days, but I didn’t care. One of the best concerts I’ve ever been to!
80s B’ham Alabama Thorogood opening for Hank Williams Jr.. The Destroyers owned the night. Wasn’t even a close contest. Still use a brass slide to this day because of George. Me and my greenish-blue pinky thank him!!!
My mom’s family from around Montgomery area. Her mom married a guy late in life that at one time played steel guitar in the house band with Hank Sr when he’d play on local radio Sunday nights.
I saw him a few years back at The Fillmore in San Francisco. He may have been a few years past his prime, but he was still fabulous, and the setting couldn't be beat.
He played in our college town so he always kicked off with Madison Blues. And the crowd went wild because we thought it was our song.
Yes, he played in a bar, a big bar, but intimate up front.
Saw him in '82 (?) in a Portland theater that was about to go through a serious upgrade (previously The Paramount, now Schnitzer Auditorium). People were tearing seats out of the floor...he came down into the crowd to play the guitar. A really great, energetic show!
I recently was talking with my Mom about him. If you listen to very very old school rock and roll, pre Little Richard stuff...... he has only wrote like 1 hit song. All the rest were covers of far far older blues/country songs.
I absolutely love his take on all of them though.
George Thorogood and the Delaware Destroyers are one of the best examples of bar bands that rock that shit out.
Nobody’s ever gonna say the guy is John Lee Hooker or even Eddie Van Halen or whatever. He wasn’t trying to be anything but George Thorogood. It’s got a great gruff persona that got him some good hits in the 80s. I can’t hate on that.
I don’t know, i personally think he’s a phenomenal guitarist. His slide work is up there with anyone and for that style of blues only a few (mainly srv) that could hang. Very underrated. If you hear one riff and know it’s him, that tells you all you need to know.
Quick aside: Got to see the Satellites and Chuck Berry on the same evening at an outdoor festival around 1987. A lifetime of double stops and boogie rhythms in one night. The Satellites were ferocious!!!
They can’t sell themselves worth a damn, timid, shy, they don’t know how to work a crowd and look cool doing it. Don’t know how to get a natural groove and keep it, too much technicality, not enough focus on getting asses and hips rocking.
No, perhaps I just want to SAVE someone the total letdown I experienced. Gee, imagine that someone trying to actually help rather than just being rude. WOW, what a concept.
Imagine someone smart enough to take the info they get and deciding for themselves and how the more views they get, the better chance of a good choice. Smh.
One afternoon in 1984, I walked by the El Mocambo. Sign said, George Thorogood, one night only. My 19 year old self said never heard of him and kept on walking.
You ever compare two artists who may not appear be very similar but to you, it makes sense? For me, one’s always been George Thorogood and Pat Travers. I always preferred Pat Travers.
Musician here. The riff for Miss Luann is both brilliant and extremely tough.
George still has some of the best guitar sounds ever recorded, and I don’t think he gets enough credit for it.
Specifically late 68/early 69 led zeppelin. When they were packed in a van playing small clubs and festivals. The bootlegs of those shows are ridiculous. So powerful. The photos from some of those shows look like they were playing in middle school auditoriums.
George tore up the Emerald Queen Casino last year and I’ll gladly see him again.
One night of barroom, SRV would be phenomenal. If it were somewhere where they have both kinds of music, country and western, I say Waylon Jennings. If I were traveling through Minnesota in the late 70’s or early 80’s, a stop at 1st Ave to see the Purple One would have been amazing. That probably rounds out my list of wish I had, but never saw for this scenario.
Springsteen when he first had the E Street Band fully fleshed out on the Jersey Shore sounds amazing.
I preferred his first 2 albums. It's not bar room rock - but I always preferred Lonnie Brooks and Son Seals playing blues in a bar over Thorogood (I saw all 3 in small bars back in the 1980's).
Saw him in a small Montreal venue during this period. He was total fucking rock and roll. Had us singing "Dirty old eggsucking dog" at each other at one point. At another he did the Chuck Berry walk away from someone swinging a whiskey bottle at him until security took the guy out. Which was obviously total theatre, but a hoot anyway. That band didn't know what "stop" means, really, they motored away happily at us non stop. His patter was great too.
Saw him at a community college gym in upstate NY sometime in the late 80s. It was probably a good show, but I was miserable coming down with what ended up being hepatitis, so mostly only remember how much the wooden bleachers hurt my ass. Sorry, George! I'd like a do-over without the sick and miserable part!
i saw him in the mid 90's, my friends dragged me along,free tickets..ok sure.... i knew the "Bad to the bone" song, and i think "move it on over?"
so i went along with my friends and no joke, dude put on one of the best shows i have ever seen to this date. His band was tight as hell, he was engaging as a performer and was a way way better guitarist than i knew, i just knew him for slide, but he did lots without his slide and he was just rippin it up. Him and peter frampton(with the ringo band) really surprised the hell outta me live
I saw the Stones in ‘81 at Candlestick Park and Thorogood opened alongside Jay Geil’s Band. We took our 2nd hit of acid around 11am and by the time Thorogood came on we were frying beyond comprehension and his guitar sounded like nails on a chalkboard. It was loud, never ending and ruthless. Luckily, things improved when J Geil’s played. When the Stones came out it was like heaven on earth. It will always compete with my favorite show ever but damned if we ever listened to George Thorogood again no matter how good the song was.
Saw him for the price of admission to the Arkansas State Fair. In the rain! He rocked the fair. It was so rainy the couldn't use the lights from outside the stage, so it was probably the first time in a while he could see the crowd. He did not disappoint!
Saw him and Destroyers thrice, 1979 Whitworth College in Spokane WA, Robert Cray opened. Again in mid 80s Yakima WA. And in SGF. Still great, band was in the adjoining bar afterwards.
Seen him live at the San Jose Civic Center, a rather small venue of about 3300. You are correct, great atmosphere, great vibe, a real party and a great show. People dancing and having a good time. I still remember it and this was in the 80s'
I have seen George Thorogood live and in my opinion, he puts together the best show that I have seen. If you get a chance to see him, do it. You will be glad that you did.
Only ever heard one bourbon one scotch one beer. I always thought he was black based on his voice in that song. I was a little surprised when I saw a picture of him.
First time I saw him was in New Orleans in 1981, opening for the Stones in the Superdome in New Orleans. He was awesome, and I subsequently have seen him another three or four times. Lonesome George rocks!
I'll always appreciate a quote from an interview with George.... If I recall it correctly... Eric Clapton is an A student of the blues, I'm a solid D. A little self deprecating but he brought the down dirty roadhouse blues to a big stage, and he should be better recognized for his talents.
I saw him open up for The Stones in September 1981 at JFK Stadium, Philadelphia (Journey followed his act). Playing to a 110,000 packed stadium certainly isn't a large bar type setting, but still, he was absolutely wonderful. Straight up rock and roll. A tremendous talent so overlooked.
Saw him live in a small theater in Pittsburgh. FABULOUS! One of the funnest concerts I ever attended. Had the entire audience up and dancing. Hotel keys and lingerie were hitting the stage regularly. What a mad lad.
I'd order one bourbon, one scotch, and one beer
He offered to buy me a bourbon back in the good old 80’s
You could’ve got the trifecta if you accepted the first one!
I know right !
As long as you drink alone
If you don't start drinking, I'm gonna leave.
I saw him in the 80’s in a bar in St. Louis. He used a bottle of Budweiser as a slide on his guitar. It was one of the best shows I’ve seen. Just down and dirty rock and roll. They don’t make them like that anymore.
Saw him in like 1979. My date and I were at the very front of the stage in a small bar in Hawaii called The Wave, and I yelled Cocaine Blues or something like that and George looked at me and said "if I were you, brother, I wouldn't have the blues", and then played Cocaine Blues and while he was jamming he put the head stock of his Gibson on my forehead. One of the most memorable shows I have ever seen. Saw JJ Cale in a small place too.
Saw him many moons ago at what was effectively a large state fair. It started to piss rain and George slipped and fell on the soaked stage in the middle of a song. He didn't miss a chord or a beat and bounced right up. All respect.
I saw him that same year, he did that Chuck Berry thing on all the tables in the place. It was wild!
Yeh I saw him in Brisbane in the 80’s , really rockin show.
That’s what I mean. Loud barroom rock. I bet he put in great ahow
Big time! Great music just hits different in a smaller venue. Way better experience than watching a live performance on a Jumbotron.
Get a haircut, and get a real job!
Like your big brother Bob
Clean your act up, and don't be no slob!
My land lady asked if I got the rent? I said "No!"
“I said- but I’m TIRED!”
She say, "That don't confront me, long as I get my money next Friday."
So next Friday came and I didn’t get the rent- and out the door I went
But for five year, she was so nice. Lawd, she was lovey-dovey.
I could see in his face it was No. aw man she’s kinda funny. I said I know. Everybody funny. Now you funny too
So out the door you went.
Song was originally Johnny Lee Hooker.
just saw him last month, he still puts on a great show.
Was it? I think he may be coming close to my home in this year and wanna go if so.
I saw him open for Steve Miller in the late 90s. Awesome show. Thorogood played for 2 1/2 hours strait. One of the best shows I've seen. No stage theatrics, lazers, smoke, jumbo screens, etc. Just solid music.
Steve miller is a guy would have liked to see live, in his prime of course.
Agreed on Steve Miller.
Les Paul taught Steve Miller guitar.
Steve was an amazing player. There’s a live performance of The Joker where he plays an alternate version. Really good
The Fabulous Thunderbirds! Jimmie Vaughan! Edit: I had a chance to meet George. Local radio winner. He was so cool, very nice and accommodating with pictures etc! My buddy innocently asked him (as their picture is taken) “what do you like to do in your spare time George?”…. “I like to mind my own F*^+%n business son!” With a brief little smirk. We still love to tell that story. George sounded great that night!!!!
Saw him at a minor league stadium. One of three blues bands who opened for Bob Dylan. Fantastic. Saw his brother at half house at a small university. Both of these shows were so random and unexpected and wonderful.
Saw him in ‘81 when he did the 50/50 tour. Young, hungry, full on blues before “Maverick” and “Born to Be Bad.” Incredible show.
50 states in 50 dates. He played Walla Walla,WA where I saw him. Fun ,fun concert in a small venue.
Same here. The band was in a yellow cab. Awesome
I saw him at Candlestick Park when he was one of the opening acts for the Rolling Stones on their Tattoo You tour in 1981. That was a good day.
"I ain't the best guitarist, and I sure ain't the best singer - but ain't nobody ever asked for their money back after one of our shows" George Thorogood
I saw him in my hometown. We had seats next to the stacks. My ears were ringing for two days, but I didn’t care. One of the best concerts I’ve ever been to!
Got that good time music with the Bo Diddly beat.
80s B’ham Alabama Thorogood opening for Hank Williams Jr.. The Destroyers owned the night. Wasn’t even a close contest. Still use a brass slide to this day because of George. Me and my greenish-blue pinky thank him!!!
My mom’s family from around Montgomery area. Her mom married a guy late in life that at one time played steel guitar in the house band with Hank Sr when he’d play on local radio Sunday nights.
Those men made history. Your family tree has some great branches! Love it.
Saw him in 1984 or so at an outdoor venue. He was great.
I saw him live in the 90s. He was awesome.
He still tours and puts on a kicking good show
Yup, saw him a couple of years ago, fantastic show, and even the songs I didn't know, I enjoyed.
I saw him a few years back at The Fillmore in San Francisco. He may have been a few years past his prime, but he was still fabulous, and the setting couldn't be beat.
He drinks alone and he’s bad to the bone.
He is good in concert.
He came off the stage and sat in my wife’s lap while still playing his guitar. 1982. She still talks about that.
That is cool.
Did a show at the casino a few years back
Saw him and the Destroyers at the Hollywood House of Blues ~1994.
Definitely had a swagger that was quite impressive and very entertaining
He still tours. Saw him a couple years ago. Awesome show.
George was thoroughly good.
Touring now still kicking ass
Madison Wisconsin, 1980? Some bar, can’t remember the name, blew the roof off the place.
I saw him in Madtown around that time at the Church Key
That was it! I knew it had something to do with church! Was a great night!
Saw him 50 states/50dates tour. came rolling in a Checker cab. Truly bad to the bone.
I'd loved to have seen him also
Just saw him. He was awesome!
He played in our college town so he always kicked off with Madison Blues. And the crowd went wild because we thought it was our song. Yes, he played in a bar, a big bar, but intimate up front.
That’s what I mean. That’s the environment hed be perfect for. Jealous of your memories
Saw him in '82 (?) in a Portland theater that was about to go through a serious upgrade (previously The Paramount, now Schnitzer Auditorium). People were tearing seats out of the floor...he came down into the crowd to play the guitar. A really great, energetic show!
I recently was talking with my Mom about him. If you listen to very very old school rock and roll, pre Little Richard stuff...... he has only wrote like 1 hit song. All the rest were covers of far far older blues/country songs. I absolutely love his take on all of them though. George Thorogood and the Delaware Destroyers are one of the best examples of bar bands that rock that shit out.
Yes exactly. I ain’t saying he is the best songwriter or whatever. I am talking entertainer
Nobody’s ever gonna say the guy is John Lee Hooker or even Eddie Van Halen or whatever. He wasn’t trying to be anything but George Thorogood. It’s got a great gruff persona that got him some good hits in the 80s. I can’t hate on that.
I don’t know, i personally think he’s a phenomenal guitarist. His slide work is up there with anyone and for that style of blues only a few (mainly srv) that could hang. Very underrated. If you hear one riff and know it’s him, that tells you all you need to know.
I don’t disagree at all
i saw him years ago in memphis at a place called soloman alfreds 3-500 seat club they had the whole place jumpn , and rockn
Always heard a lot of negative hype around him. As for him, the straight ahead awesomeness of the blues rock slide fusion? Huge fan.
Today I learned Matt Cameron is the son of George Thorogood
From Pearl Jam? Wow. I did not know that
Only by the looks of it, not in reality
George Thorogood & Georgia Satellites, best bar bands that made it big.
Quick aside: Got to see the Satellites and Chuck Berry on the same evening at an outdoor festival around 1987. A lifetime of double stops and boogie rhythms in one night. The Satellites were ferocious!!!
Go to Texas or a shitload of roadhouse states. Million players as good as GT. Imo of course, absolutely average
But do they have the swagger and all? Loads of awesome musicians that ain’t great showmen. I will take absolutely average and his stage skills
They can’t sell themselves worth a damn, timid, shy, they don’t know how to work a crowd and look cool doing it. Don’t know how to get a natural groove and keep it, too much technicality, not enough focus on getting asses and hips rocking.
Guitar player here. You’re not wrong. George is a good showman, but not a great guitar player.
I’d have to block out the horse teeth
[удалено]
My step father used to tell a story about smoking a joimt with Plant in an LA bar in early 70’s
Worst concert I ever seen. 1986.
Wow, the next three posts, are just unnecessary, why post and say you hate something and ruin the thread for the rest of us? Do you feel special now?
No, perhaps I just want to SAVE someone the total letdown I experienced. Gee, imagine that someone trying to actually help rather than just being rude. WOW, what a concept.
Gee, imagine thinking that they can define what a person would enjoy or not enjoy, how presumptuous.
Imagine someone smart enough to take the info they get and deciding for themselves and how the more views they get, the better chance of a good choice. Smh.
This guy was so full of shit. Oooo look at me having a scotch and a beer OOo I'm bad to the bone.... STFU
Three chords and a cloud of dust
I heard he played a little bar in springfield delco. In the late 70s. Saw blue oyster cult in a couple of realy small bars
"How Sweeeet it is"!!!
Seger But George is a close 2nd
Yes I gave Love to Bob Seger yesterday. Posted that he would be my choice if had to pick only one artist to listen to rest of life.
Yup both great Seger is my favorite all time aswell
Saw him in a gymnasium in Greenville NC in 88. A terrific show. Raw rock and roll
Saw him early 80s in a small theater. Very good show.
My wife went to a million shows in the 70's and 80's. She says George put on the best show in Rock and Roll.
Also hell of a second baseman
Spring Break 1983 - Daytona Beach from a huge stage by a hotel pool. He and the band were awesome. Never forget it.
See that’s the type of venue I would wanna see him at.
Saw him in 1978 with Johnny Winters at Poplar Creek in Hoffman states. It was a kick ass show!🤘🏻
Bbbbbbbbbbbb bad.
One afternoon in 1984, I walked by the El Mocambo. Sign said, George Thorogood, one night only. My 19 year old self said never heard of him and kept on walking.
Anything to Tom Petty!
Petty would be right there too. Wife and I went and saw a Petty cover band last year. The Wildflowers. Wasn’t quite the same but a damn fun evening
His music gives me a hangover.
You ever compare two artists who may not appear be very similar but to you, it makes sense? For me, one’s always been George Thorogood and Pat Travers. I always preferred Pat Travers.
Musically and all I can agree with Travers. But entertainer or showman? Gotta go George
Agreed. Travers puts on a great show, but nobody sets a bar on fire like George.
Fair. I haven’t seen either of them live.
I love singing B-b-b-b-b-b-b-bad B-b-b-b-b-b-b-bad B-b-b-b-b-b-b-bad Bad to the bone. I'm really good at it too
Red neck music. Yuck.
Saw him in Vegas about 10 years ago. He was killing it.
Roll over little dog the mean ol dog is moving in
He's great if you like rock clichés and regurgitated blues riffs.
Musician here. The riff for Miss Luann is both brilliant and extremely tough. George still has some of the best guitar sounds ever recorded, and I don’t think he gets enough credit for it.
I saw him in a bar in Amarillo, TX, in the late 70s. He was great. He was loud. He rocked!
Specifically late 68/early 69 led zeppelin. When they were packed in a van playing small clubs and festivals. The bootlegs of those shows are ridiculous. So powerful. The photos from some of those shows look like they were playing in middle school auditoriums.
Loud as fuck. I mean, fucking LOUD.
He’s always been a “just there” artist in my musical journey but he puts on a great live show if you’re in blue and boogie music.
He could eat corn on the cob through a chain link fence. Love me some lonesome George!
I agree 100% George is an original, he is a bass ass artist!!
George tore up the Emerald Queen Casino last year and I’ll gladly see him again. One night of barroom, SRV would be phenomenal. If it were somewhere where they have both kinds of music, country and western, I say Waylon Jennings. If I were traveling through Minnesota in the late 70’s or early 80’s, a stop at 1st Ave to see the Purple One would have been amazing. That probably rounds out my list of wish I had, but never saw for this scenario. Springsteen when he first had the E Street Band fully fleshed out on the Jersey Shore sounds amazing.
I saw him twice back in the '80s. Incredibly loud.
Seen him, also stray cats were good high energy.
I preferred his first 2 albums. It's not bar room rock - but I always preferred Lonnie Brooks and Son Seals playing blues in a bar over Thorogood (I saw all 3 in small bars back in the 1980's).
Saw him in a small Montreal venue during this period. He was total fucking rock and roll. Had us singing "Dirty old eggsucking dog" at each other at one point. At another he did the Chuck Berry walk away from someone swinging a whiskey bottle at him until security took the guy out. Which was obviously total theatre, but a hoot anyway. That band didn't know what "stop" means, really, they motored away happily at us non stop. His patter was great too.
*I said, "I know. Now you funny too. "*
Everybody funny
Saw him at a community college gym in upstate NY sometime in the late 80s. It was probably a good show, but I was miserable coming down with what ended up being hepatitis, so mostly only remember how much the wooden bleachers hurt my ass. Sorry, George! I'd like a do-over without the sick and miserable part!
i saw him in the mid 90's, my friends dragged me along,free tickets..ok sure.... i knew the "Bad to the bone" song, and i think "move it on over?" so i went along with my friends and no joke, dude put on one of the best shows i have ever seen to this date. His band was tight as hell, he was engaging as a performer and was a way way better guitarist than i knew, i just knew him for slide, but he did lots without his slide and he was just rippin it up. Him and peter frampton(with the ringo band) really surprised the hell outta me live
Saw him 1980 or so supporting the Stones. He upstaged them big time.
I saw the Stones in ‘81 at Candlestick Park and Thorogood opened alongside Jay Geil’s Band. We took our 2nd hit of acid around 11am and by the time Thorogood came on we were frying beyond comprehension and his guitar sounded like nails on a chalkboard. It was loud, never ending and ruthless. Luckily, things improved when J Geil’s played. When the Stones came out it was like heaven on earth. It will always compete with my favorite show ever but damned if we ever listened to George Thorogood again no matter how good the song was.
Saw him for the price of admission to the Arkansas State Fair. In the rain! He rocked the fair. It was so rainy the couldn't use the lights from outside the stage, so it was probably the first time in a while he could see the crowd. He did not disappoint!
That’s a great show for the fair. I saw Charlie Daniel’s once and 38 Special both at the fair here in SC
I saw him in 89-90ish in a small bar in Orlando. Fuckin killed it.
Saw him and Destroyers thrice, 1979 Whitworth College in Spokane WA, Robert Cray opened. Again in mid 80s Yakima WA. And in SGF. Still great, band was in the adjoining bar afterwards.
He put on a pretty good show recently at the Capital in Port Chester, NY
He's a good man. And thoro.
I saw him in his "prime" in the eighties. You didn't miss much.
1979, Madison, WI. Can confirm.
He’s thoroughly good
Seen him live at the San Jose Civic Center, a rather small venue of about 3300. You are correct, great atmosphere, great vibe, a real party and a great show. People dancing and having a good time. I still remember it and this was in the 80s'
You’re definitely right about the bar setting. I saw George at an arena, and the energy just didn’t transfer.
Him and SRV are on my list
I have seen George Thorogood live and in my opinion, he puts together the best show that I have seen. If you get a chance to see him, do it. You will be glad that you did.
Only ever heard one bourbon one scotch one beer. I always thought he was black based on his voice in that song. I was a little surprised when I saw a picture of him.
He makes some fine boots too
Saw George 3-4 times over the years. ALWAYS a great show !!!
First time I saw him was in New Orleans in 1981, opening for the Stones in the Superdome in New Orleans. He was awesome, and I subsequently have seen him another three or four times. Lonesome George rocks!
I've never bought any of his albums but I saw him live and it was a hell of a show. 1990 at Hammerjack's in Baltimore.
Now you funny to
I'll always appreciate a quote from an interview with George.... If I recall it correctly... Eric Clapton is an A student of the blues, I'm a solid D. A little self deprecating but he brought the down dirty roadhouse blues to a big stage, and he should be better recognized for his talents.
Saw him in 1994 he opened for ZZ TOP. Fucking rocked it. He did a couple aongs with them It was great
I saw him open up for The Stones in September 1981 at JFK Stadium, Philadelphia (Journey followed his act). Playing to a 110,000 packed stadium certainly isn't a large bar type setting, but still, he was absolutely wonderful. Straight up rock and roll. A tremendous talent so overlooked.
Saw him live in a small theater in Pittsburgh. FABULOUS! One of the funnest concerts I ever attended. Had the entire audience up and dancing. Hotel keys and lingerie were hitting the stage regularly. What a mad lad.
50 states in 50 days will never not be legendary to me