April 2018

A Maine rock favorite returns.

By Colin W. Sargent

It’s unlikely George Thorogood and The Destroyers will be drinking alone upon their return to Aura in Portland, April 22. The rock outlaws have performed here regularly since the 1980s–and the city is always raring to welcome them back. We caught up with George to discover if the musical maverick is still “Bad to the Bone” after all these years.

Bath Iron Works has built more destroyers than anybody. How’d you come up with the name The Destroyers, and have you ever performed on a destroyer?

We came up with the name The Destroyers out of desperation. A bar had a cancellation and needed a band the next night, and we got the gig. We didn’t have a name, so we blurted out, “The Destroyers!” …and it stuck. No, I’ve never played on a destroyer.

Your tour includes a big sweep through Canada. What draws you there?

What draws us to Canada? Canadians!

Your Facebook site asks fans to help pick the set list for the shows in their area. What’s the best spontaneous song request you’ve ever been asked to play?

Best spontaneous song request was when we were playing with the Rolling Stones in Buffalo. It was pouring rain, and someone yelled for “The Sky Is Crying.” We did it, and it stopped raining.

Is it accurate to call you guys a Boston band?

We’re not really a Boston band. We came from Delaware and moved to Boston because we thought we could get a record deal. It was a struggle. We stayed a lot of places and played a lot of places.

If you could play one of your songs for Tom Petty right now, with no one else hearing, what song would you pick and why?

That’s personal…between me and Tom!

What new song is working its way into your head this second?

It’s a song called “Jumpin’ Jack Flash.” I think it’s going to be a hit!