With powerful, rockin' blues licks and tasty guitar slides, the legendary George Thorogood with be bring his greatest hits to the Pompano Beach Amphitheater on Friday, May 19th.
In advance of his performance, Thorogood took time out of his busy touring schedule to
talk with Rockbandreviews.com....
GEORGE THOROGOOD INTERVIEW 2017
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Rock band reviews: Hello George, this is Bill Hernandez at Rockbandreviews.com
George: (singing) Don’t mess with Bill.
Rock band reviews: That’s right: I like that! How are we doing today?
George: I’m sneak’n by.
Rock band reviews: Well, that's good because if you don't want to get caught, you are gonna have to sneak by.
George: Yeah, exactly!
Rock band reviews: I want to thank you for taking time out of your busy touring schedule to talk with me today. I have been trying to get with you for years now, and somehow, this interview with you fell right into my lap. W are really exited to have at the Pompano Beach Amphitheater on May 19th. In 23 years of covering music concerts, I have never seen you live in concert before.
George: Well, I have never seen you either.
Rock band reviews: So, it's going to be a first for both of us.
George: Exactly.
Rock band reviews: At what point in your life did you know that you wanted to make music for a living?
George: Probably back when I was in the tenth grade I knew I wanted to do that. It wasn't until a good five years after that when I seriously thought about becoming a guitar player. Prior to that, I was the singer in most of the bands I played with, blew harmonica, and did a very bad impersonation of Mick Jagger, Eric Burdon , and I know I could only go so far with that. When I was getting into my twenties I said to myself, “You gotta do something more”, so at that point I really started working on guitar. So I actually started really late.
Rock band reviews: Apparently timing is everything. Look at where you are today.
George: I am headlining at Pompano Beach Amphitheater. You can't ask for more than that!
Rock band reviews: Did you get into all of this for the music…. Or for the girls?
George: (Laughing) I never even thought about that because I said “I'm not gonna get girls anyway), so I have loved music from day one. The rush came from the music.
Rock band reviews: Growing up, who were you listening to on the radio that may have helped to shape you writing and playing style?
George: There was one guy, one cat, but I can't seem to say his name right, maybe you can help me. It was either Mick Richards or Keith Jagger (Laughing).
Rock band reviews: Oh yeah, that guy. I think I have heard of him before.
George: That guy, exactly!
Rock band reviews: So, The Stones got to you, too?
George: They got to us all, didn't they?
Rock band reviews: That's refreshing because most musicians I talk with usually always pull the Beatles card.
George: Well, the Beatles were like looking at Charlie Chaplin, Marlon Brando, like looking at Shakespeare. The Stones gave me hope. They were doing blues covers, ruthenium's and blues, and doing a good job of it. They had a terrific look and a terrific sound and I said “Maybe I could do that”. Nobody's gonna do what the Beatles did, nobody's gonna do what Dylan did. That's just ridiculous to try to shoot for that, so I looked at The Stones and they were my inspiration.
Rock band reviews: As a guitar player, are you self-taught?
George: Well, unfortunately, yes. I tried to get Elvin Bishop to come over to my house to try and teach me, but he was a little busy at the time.
Rock band reviews: Your voice is also your instrument. What do you do, if anything, to maintain your vocals during a tour?
George: I try do as few interviews as possible.
Rock band reviews: I always figured you would have one bourbon, one scotch, and one beer before a show.
George: (Laughs) That's not exactly the best thing for your vocal chords. The best thing is rest.
Rock band reviews: What is coming up for you and The Destroyers in the future. Any new material?
George: No, but we have a new album coming out in August with Rounder (Records) called Party Of One. It's a solo record.
Rock band reviews: You have played all over the world. Do you have a memory that sticks out about a particular show?
George: Yes, every time I walk out on stage every night.
Rock band reviews: Thanks again, George for talking with us today
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George: Remember…. Rock n’ roll never sleeps, it only passes out! For more information about George Thorogood, visit his website at
http://www.georgethorogood.com
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