Story & Photographs by Diane Fleischman
Sometimes it takes a forty year old catch phrase to remind us that times haven’t changed that much. At The Sands Event Center, it was all about “The Sunday Night Rock Party” as George Thorogood and The Destroyers performed to a sold out crowd.
Back in the 70’s the ticket to the Philadelphia music scene was The Rock Parties, as the appropriate night of the week was inserted, and back in the day George Thorogood and the Delaware Destroyers covered the tri-state area heavily.
Present day, one member of the original Delaware Destroyers remains, drummer, Jeff Simon. Newer band members have filled the spots that give Thorogood one tight sounding ensemble.
A little after 8pm, the house lights went off, a taped intro of “Eve of Destruction” played as the audience anxiously awaited for Thorogood to take the stage. He got the audience primed with “Rock Party”, followed by “Who Do You Love”.
His gruff vocals, remained intact with the roughness of an old bluesman when he belted the lyrics to “I Drink Alone”, and “One Bourbon, One Scotch, and One Beer”, while the crowd danced and sang along.
Thorogood brought all his talents, which included his sense of humor. He joked with the audience that The Destroyers were out on bail, and if there’s one person who would be arrested for Rock and Roll, it was going to be Lonesome George. With a few changes of Gibson guitars, Thorogood proved his fingers were just as nimble now with his slides and relentless licks, well poised and aimed as a lethal weapon.
The audience rose to their feet for “Bad to The Bone” as Thorogood teased, “You want it?” Thorogood left the stage and returned in a black Destroyers tee shirt and continued with “Tail Dragger” and “Move It On Over”. Thorogood and The Destroyers left the stage and returned without his Gibson for an encore of “Born to Be Bad.”
Thorogood was indeed the perfect host for this Sunday night Rock Party. His Rock Party tour continues proving that you’re never to old to rock and roll.
