George Thorogood & The Destroyers are back in the UK bringing their ‘Baddest Show On Earth’ to a few select venues as part of a short visit from across the pond. Billed by the promoters as his final European shows, whether George himself is aware or even agrees seems yet to be decided.
Opening tonights show in Wolverhampton is Wisconsin’s Jared James Nichols who leads his trio through a hard hitting barrage of blues rock. ‘Ghost’ smacks in the face as an opener and has anyone still left in the bar quickly scurrying to their seats. ‘Way Back’ follows in the same vein, mixing Southern Rock riffage with Country vibes. While their set wasn’t without the odd technical issue, they didn’t distract from what was a very well received 40 minute opener.
As Barry Maguire’s ‘Eve Of Destruction’ intro tape fades Thorogood leads his Destroyers onto the stage to a rapturous reception the kind of which is usually reserved for encores. “Tonight we’re going to play two kinds of music, Rock and Roll” he playfully announces. He’s not wrong, and ‘Rock Party’ is as good a way as any to get things going. Simple and direct blues boogie that immediately hits the spot with Billy Leach’s sax giving that extra swing. Bo Diddley’s ‘Who Do You Love’ follows with a groove in which the Destroyers make it their own, delivered with no pretensions, just rock and roll straight from the heart.
At one point during tonight’s show George Thorogood responds to a fan in the audience and says “We won’t be hurried. It’s taken us 50 years to get here, and we want to enjoy every second we’re on stage”. Incredible to think that not only have The Destroyers have been visiting the UK for 50 years now, but more so that it’s also their first visit to Wolverhampton. That statement also goes some way to explain their longevity; they still get as much of a thrill playing live as the audience do who turn up to see them.
There’s plenty of interaction with the audience beyond the generic. He blesses front row fans with his guitar and even dons one fans’ shirt to wear while playing one of his biggest songs; “One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer”.
Given the proliferation of drinking songs in his repertoire, when George does pause for a refreshment he seems suprised that its tea “Oh this is tea!, we call it the English penecillin as it cures everything” he quips. The country blues shuffle of ‘Cocaine Blues’ is dedicated to Johnny Cash “I met Johnny Cash and he thoiught I was I cool” – he really doesn’t need to give any further introduction.
‘Becks Bolero’ teases as a way introduction to ‘Gear Jammer’ which sounds immense with long serving drummer Jeff Simon and Bill Brough keeping the rhythm tight and again Leach’s sax being essential. ‘Get A Haircut’ keeps the pace and is delivered with the same conviction with Thorogood asking “how does it feel to be 17 again?” which hits the nail on the head. These songs have been around for as long as I’ve been walking the earth and while there is the element of nostalgia, there’s also the indisputable fact that the Destroyers are the embodiment of Rock and Roll and that serves as wonderful tonic for 90 minutes for whatever ailments have been picked up as we all get that bit older.
The show though is still far from over. More treats are rolled out with ‘Bad To The Bone’, ‘Move It On Over’ and ‘Gloria’ before an encore sees Jared James Nichols back on stage to join in on an electrifying ‘Born To Be Bad’. If this does indeed end up as George’s final UK shows then he’s gone out on a high with a truly memorable show.
