It seemed a little out of place to have blues guitarist Duke Robillard opening for rocker George Thorogood. His first song was also a little out of place for "him" -- a rock and roll song with a distinct Chuck Berry riff. Duke's set was very short so he tried to cover a variety of styles from rock and roll, to straight ahead blues, to jump, to Freddie King to T. Bone Walker. The result was a little disjointed and didn't really do Duke's guitar playing and music justice. The crowd was also a little indifferent--most of them being there for the Thorogood show and likely not even aware of who Robillard was. Too bad, because in his own element, Duke Robillard is one of the finer blues guitarists playing today.

By the time Thorogood took the stage the huge Medina dance floor was packed like sardines, shoulder to shoulder, right up to the stage, with some excitable fans. With little fanfare, Thorogood launched right into "Bee Bop Grandma" with some simple, direct, good 'ol rock and roll. When he finished he simply said, "How sweet it is," in Ralph Kramden style and away we went with the song "Who Do You Love."

The show maintained that high energy level for the rest of the night as Thorogood & the Destroyers bushwhacked their way through a collection of old and new songs from his popular repertoire. Songs like, "Night Time," "I Drink Alone," One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer" (with that John Lee Hooker rhythm going), "Half A Boy/Half A Man," "Hair Cut," "Bad To The Bone" (with some bone crushing slide), "Gearjammer," "Move It On Over" (with the entire crowd taking over the lyrics of this Hank Williams song), and a number of crescendo reaching encores.

Inspired by the playing of Hound Dog Taylor, Elmore James, and Chuck Berry, George Thorogood, originally a minor-league baseball player, decided to become a musician in 1970 after seeing John Hammond perform. From Delaware, Thorogood soon moved his new band, The Destroyers, to Boston and had a string of chart topping "retro" rock and roll hits in the early '80s. Thorogood is one of those entertainers who plays up to the crowd, jumping around the stage, mugging to the fans and being a general wild man, especially when playing his trademark slide guitar. He was even pushing his lips out in good old Mick Jagger fashion and generally having a great time up there. He finished up the night in a flurry with one of his personal anthems, "Rocking My Life Away." This was one good-time, ass-kicking, rock and roll show!

This review is copyright © 2000 by Ray Stiles, and Blues On Stage, all rights reserved. Copy, duplication or download prohibited without written permission.