Celebrating Delaware’s Very Own George Thorogood’s Birthday Today
On February 24th, 1950, George Thorogood was born in Wilmington, Delaware. Thorogood is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist most famously known for his hit, “Bad to the Bone”. What some…
PERTH, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 6: George Thorogood and The Destroyers perform at the The Lookout, Scarborough on March 6, 2005 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
On February 24th, 1950, George Thorogood was born in Wilmington, Delaware. Thorogood is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist most famously known for his hit, "Bad to the Bone". What some people may not realize is that Thorogood actually started his music career here in Delaware, also being born in Wilmington.
Thorogood even lived in Newark on Chestnut Hill Road. He first purchased the house the same year he went on tour with the Rolling Stones. He ended up selling the house to a fan who didn't want to see the rock legend's house go to developers.
According to his website, "December 1st, 1973, George and his future bandmates went to the University of Delaware's Lane Hall to set up their gear on the bandstand. They had only rehearsed once or twice together, playing mostly covers. The gig paid $150, so they were all in, whether it sounded good or not. A week prior to the gig, Thorogood didn't even own an electric guitar. He was only playing acoustic at the time. He started with a Gibson ES-125 that he bought from a pawn shop.
Not to mention...the band didn't even have a name. How they got the gig, who knows? They called themselves the Delaware Destroyers, after a pianist credited as 'Destruction'. During the gig, people randomly went from standing awkwardly to dancing wildly on the hall floor.
After that one gig, they knew they had something and thus the band was officially born. George Thorogood and the Destroyers went on to sell over 15 million albums and become infamous performers.
George Thorogood Performs on SiriusXM's B.B. King's Bluesville Channel at The SiriusXM Studios in Washington D.C.
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 12: George Thorogood performs on SiriusXM's B.B. King's Bluesville Channel on Artist Confidential hosted by Early Times at SiriusXM Studio on June 12, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images for SiriusXM)
2015 Stagecoach California's Country Music Festival - Day 3
INDIO, CA - APRIL 26: George Thorogood and The Destroyers perform onstage during day three of 2015 Stagecoach, California's Country Music Festival, at The Empire Polo Club on April 26, 2015 in Indio, California. (Photo by Matt Cowan/Getty Images for Stagecoach)
Sammy Hagar Performs At Ak-Chin Pavilion
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 07: (L-R) George Thorogood and Jim Suhler of George Thorogood and the Destroyers perform at Ak-Chin Pavilion on September 07, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Sammy Hagar Performs At Ak-Chin Pavilion
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 07: (L-R) Buddy Leach, George Thorogood, Jeff Simon, Jim Suhler and Billy Blough of George Thorogood and the Destroyers perform at Ak-Chin Pavilion on September 07, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Sammy Hagar Performs At Ak-Chin Pavilion
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 07: (L-R) Buddy Leach, George Thorogood, Jeff Simon, Billy Blough and Jim Suhler of George Thorogood and the Destroyers perform at Ak-Chin Pavilion on September 07, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
An Evening With John Fogerty
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 12: (EDITORS NOTE: This image has been altered digitally) John Fogerty and George Thorogood perform at The Troubadour on October 12, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for ABA)
2015 Stagecoach California's Country Music Festival - Day 3
INDIO, CA - APRIL 26: George Thorogood and The Destroyers perform onstage during day three of 2015 Stagecoach, California's Country Music Festival, at The Empire Polo Club on April 26, 2015 in Indio, California. (Photo by Matt Cowan/Getty Images for Stagecoach)
2015 Stagecoach California's Country Music Festival - Day 3
INDIO, CA - APRIL 26: George Thorogood and the Destroyers perform during day three of 2015 Stagecoach, California's Country Music Festival, at The Empire Polo Club on April 26, 2015 in Indio, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Stagecoach)
Jim Ladd On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame
HOLLYWOOD - MAY 6: Radio personality Jim Ladd receives his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on May 6, 2005 in Hollywood, California. He is pictred with (L-R) Ed Begley, Jr, John Densmore, Jim Ladd, Woody Harrelson, Robby Krieger, George Thorogood, Benmont Tench and Jackson Browne. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
George Thorogood And The Destroyers Live At The Lookout
PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 6: George Thorogood and The Destroyers perform at the The Lookout, Scarborough on March 6, 2005 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
George Thorogood And The Destroyers Live At The Lookout
PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 6: George Thorogood and The Destroyers perform at the The Lookout, Scarborough on March 6, 2005 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
50th Annual BMI Pop Awards
405302 26: Musicians George Thorogood (L) and Waddy Wachtel perform at the 50th Annual BMI Pop Awards May 14, 2002 in Beverly Hills, CA. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Getty Images)
Sammy Hagar Performs At Ak-Chin Pavilion
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 07: George Thorogood of George Thorogood and the Destroyers performs at Ak-Chin Pavilion on September 07, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
2015 Stagecoach California's Country Music Festival - Day 3
INDIO, CA - APRIL 26: George Thorogood and the Destroyers perform during day three of 2015 Stagecoach, California's Country Music Festival, at The Empire Polo Club on April 26, 2015 in Indio, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Stagecoach)
2015 Stagecoach California's Country Music Festival - Day 3
INDIO, CA - APRIL 26: George Thorogood and the Destroyers perform during day three of 2015 Stagecoach, California's Country Music Festival, at The Empire Polo Club on April 26, 2015 in Indio, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Stagecoach)
