George Thorogood and the Destroyers 50-50 Tour

And Awaaay We Go: George Thorogood and the Destroyers’ Legendary 50 States in 50 Dates Tour

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00 50 Dates 50 Nights A Destroyer Headline

Above:  National wire story from October 20, 1981 with news of the impending launch of the 50-50 tour.

Four decades on, George Thorogood and the Delaware Destroyers’ “Fifty States in Fifty Dates” concert tour (aka the “50 States in 50 Days Tour”; aka the “50-50 Tour”) stands tall in the collective memory for its novelty, its test of endurance, and – ultimately – its success in promoting the band and their blues-infused brand of high energy rock n’ roll. 

The premise of the 50-50 tour was ingenious in its simplicity:  fifty shows in a row, each in a different state, with no nights off.  Were that not enough, the band upped the degree of difficulty (and novelty) by driving from gig to gig in the Lower 48 states in a 1979 Checker Cab.

00 Press Photo Destroyers In Front of Checker Cab

The 50-50 tour started on October 23, 1981 in Honolulu, Hawaii and concluded on December 11, 1981 in Pasadena, California.  When all was said and done, the Destroyers had played 51 shows in total, including two on November 25, 1981 in Washington, DC and Catonsville, MD.

For all its legend and notoriety, some details of the 50-50 tour are poorly documented, some are buried in archives and personal collections, and some are likely lost forever as venues close, memories fade, and participants pass on.  The dates and venues for the 50-50 tour are well-known, but the list of opening acts – which included Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, Albert Collins, the Blasters, and Stevie Ray Vaughan – is incomplete.  There are photos and film footage from some shows, but none to speak of (so far!) from a good number of 50-50 tour stops.

00 50 50 Tour Preview Thorogood Will Play 50 States in 50 Days

This is where you come in.  I’ve set up this blog as a way to reach out to other music fans who can help fill in some of these key gaps:

  • Did you see George Thorogood and the Destroyers on the 50-50 tour in ’81?
  • Did you take any photos?
  • Did you keep your ticket stub?
  • Maybe you have a poster, a set list, a newspaper clipping or some memorabilia from the event?

If yes, please get in touch!

Send me a note using the ‘comment’ form below.  That information comes to me and is not published on this or any other site.  Any information, scans or materials you can contribute will be gratefully accepted and appreciated.  Thanks!

00 Thorogood 50 States in 50 Days Headline with Large Photo

Quick Links to the Contents of this Blog!

00 Thorogood and Band Set Record with Unusual Tour Park City Daily News Bowling Green KY Oct 19 1981 pg 4B

50/50 Tour Concert Venues, Ads, Photos, Setlists & Reviews

  • Tour Stop 1 / Concert 1.  October 23, 1981.  Wave Waikiki.  Honolulu, HI.  Link
  • Tour Stop 2 / Concert 2.  October 24, 1981.  International Banquet House. Anchorage, AK.  Link
  • Tour Stop 3 / Concert 3.  October 25, 1981.  Paramount Theatre.  Portland, OR.  Link
  • Tour Stop 4 / Concert 4.  October 26, 1981.   WSU Performing Arts Coliseum.  Washington State University.  Pullman, WA.  Link
  • Tour Stop 5 / Concert 5.  October 27, 1981.  Student Union Ballroom.  Boise State University.  Boise, ID.  Link
  • Tour Stop 6 / Concert 6.  October 28, 1981.  New Faces Roadhouse.  Salt Lake City, UT.  Link
  • Tour Stop 7 / Concert 7.  October 29, 1981.  Hitching Post.  Cheyenne, WY.  Link
  • Tour Stop 8 / Concert 8.  October 30, 1981.  Macky Auditorium.  University of Colorado.  Boulder, CO.  Link
  • Tour Stop 9 / Concert 9.  October 31, 1981.  The Barbarian.  Rapid City, SD.  Link
  • Tour Stop 10 / Concert 10.  November 1, 1981.  Fox Theater.  Billings, MT.  Link
  • Tour Stop 11 / Concert 11.  November 2, 1981.  Gaiety II.  Mandan, ND.  Link
  • Tour Stop 12 / Concert 12.  November 3, 1981.  Zodiac Lounge.  Moorhead, MN.  Link
  • Tour Stop 13 / Concert 13.  November 4, 1981.  Omaha City Auditorium Music Hall.  Omaha, NE.  Link
  • Tour Stop 14 / Concert 14.  November 5, 1981.  C.Y. Stephens Auditorium.  Ames, IA.  Link
  • Tour Stop 15 / Concert 15.  November 6, 1981.  Hoch Auditorium.  Lawrence, KS.  Link
  • Tour Stop 16 / Concert 16.  November 7, 1981.  Night Moves.  St. Louis, MO.  Link
  • Tour Stop 17 / Concert 17.  November 8, 1981.  University of Kentucky Student Center Grand Ballroom.  Lexington, KY.  Link
  • Tour Stop 18 / Concert 18.  November 9, 1981.  Vogue Theater.  Indianapolis, IN.  Link
  • Tour Stop 19 / Concert 19.  November 10, 1981.  Headliners.  Madison, WI.  Link
  • Tour Stop 20 / Concert 20.  November 11, 1981.  Park West.  Chicago, IL.  Link
  • Tour Stop 21 / Concert 21.  November 12, 1981.  Second Chance.  Ann Arbor, MI.  Link
  • Tour Stop 22 / Concert 22.  November 13, 1981.  The Agora Ballroom.  Columbus, OH.  Link
  • Tour Stop 23 / Concert 23.  November 14, 1981.  West Virginia University.  Mountainlair Student Union Ballroom.  Morgantown, WV.  Link
  • Tour Stop 24 / Concert 24.  November 15, 1981.  Harrisburg Forum Auditorium.  Harrisburg, PA.  Link
  • Tour Stop 25 / Concert 25.  November 16, 1981.  Savoy.  New York, NY.  Link
  • Tour Stop 26 / Concert 26.  November 17, 1981.  Bradford Hotel Ballroom.  Boston, MA.  Link
  • Tour Stop 27 / Concert 27.  November 18, 1981.  Capitol Theater.  Concord, NH.  Link
  • Tour Stop 28 / Concert 28.  November 19, 1981.  Flat Street.  Brattleboro, VT.  Link
  • Tour Stop 29 / Concert 29.  November 20, 1981.  Longbranch Saloon.  Saco, ME.  Link
  • Tour Stop 30 / Concert 30.  November 21, 1981.  Edwards Auditorium.  University of Rhode Island.  Kingston, RI.  Link
  • Tour Stop 31 / Concert 31.  November 22, 1981.  Toad’s Place.  New Haven, CT.  Link
  • Tour Stop 32 / Concert 32.  November 23, 1981.  Capitol Theatre.  Passaic, NJ.  Link
  • Tour Stop 33 / Concert 33.  November 24, 1981.  Carpenter Sports Building.  University of Delaware.  Newark, DE.  Link
  • Tour Stop 34 / Concert 34.  November 25, 1981.  Coast To Coast.  Catonsville, MD.  Link
  • Tour Stop 34 / Concert 35.  November 25, 1981.  Warner Theater.  Washington, DC.  Link
  • Tour Stop 35 / Concert 36.  November 26, 1981.  Much More Club.  Richmond, VA.  Link
  • Tour Stop 36 / Concert 37.  November 27, 1981.  Music City.  Raleigh, NC.  Link
  • Tour Stop 37 / Concert 38.  November 28, 1981.  Township Auditorium. Columbia, SC.  Link
  • Tour Stop 38 / Concert 39.  November 29, 1981.   The Agora.  Atlanta, GA.  Link
  • Tour Stop 39 / Concert 40.  November 30, 1981.  Ruby Diamond Auditorium.  Tallahassee, FL.  Link
  • Tour Stop 40 / Concert 41.  December 1, 1981.  Saenger Theatre.  Mobile, AL.  Link
  • Tour Stop 41 / Concert 42.  December 2, 1981.  Abbey’s Irish Rose.  Oxford, MS.  Link
  • Tour Stop 42 / Concert 43.  December 3, 1981.  The Music Hall.  Memphis, TN.  Link
  • Tour Stop 43 / Concert 44.  December 4, 1981.  The Library Club.  Fayetteville, AR.  Link
  • Tour Stop 44 / Concert 45.  December 5, 1981.  Superdome.  New Orleans, LA.  Link
  • Tour Stop 45 / Concert 46.  December 6, 1981.  Cain’s Ballroom.  Tulsa, OK.  Link
  • Tour Stop 46 / Concert 47.  December 7, 1981.  Texas Moon Palace.  Amarillo, TX.  Link
  • Tour Stop 47 / Concert 48.  December 8, 1981.  Popejoy Hall.  University of New Mexico.  Albuquerque, NM.  Link
  • Tour Stop 48 / Concert 49.  December 9, 1981.  Shakey Drakes.  Flagstaff, AZ.  Link
  • Tour Stop 49 / Concert 50.  December 10, 1981.  Las Vegas Troubadour Lounge. Las Vegas, NV.  Link
  • Tour Stop 50 / Concert 51.  December 11, 1981.  Perkins Palace.  Pasadena, CA.  Link

The 50 / 50 Tour Stops That Never Were

  • What Might Have Been – The Alternative “50 States in 50 Dates” Tour Stops That Never Were.  Link

50 / 50 Tour Merchandise, Posters & Ephemera

  • The 50-50 Tour Carpet.  Link
  • The 50-50 Tour Poster.  Link
  • The 50-50 Tour Button.  Link
  • The 50-50 Tour T-Shirts.  Link

As the Years Go Passing By / In Memoriam

  • Hank “Hurricane” Carter – May 30, 1950 to September 14, 2021.  Link

Wanted All Over the World

Before the Destroyers

  • Concert dates by the Delaware Destroyers before they became a band, 1965-1973.  Link

Music Videos

  • Delaware Destroyers’ Music Video Filming Locations, 1982-1988.  Link

Recording Studios

  • Delaware Destroyers’ Recording Studios, 1974-1984.  Link

Recreational Pursuits

  • In Their Spare Time – George Thorogood and the Destroyers – Bowling. Link

Australia

  • Australia, 1981 – Part 1. Link
  • Australia, 1981 – Part 2. Link
  • Australia, 1981 – Part 3. Link

Canada

  • Canada, 1978.  Link
  • Canada, 1979.  Link
  • Canada, 1980.  Link
  • Canada, 1981 – Part 1. Link
  • Canada, 1981 – Part 2. Link

England

  • England, 1978.  Link

Finland

  • Finland, 1982. Link

France

  • France, 1979.  Link
  • France, 1981.  Link

Germany

  • Germany, 1980.  Link

Japan

Netherlands

  • Netherlands, 1981. Link

New Zealand

  • New Zealand, 1981.  Link

Norway

  • Norway, 1979.  Link
  • Norway, 1981.  Link

Sweden

  • Sweden, 1982. Link

USA – Alabama

  • Alabama, 1980. Link

USA – Arizona

  • Arizona, 1978.  Link
  • Arizona, 1980. Link
  • Arizona, 1981. Link

USA – California

  • California, 1983.  Link

USA – Colorado

  • Colorado, 1978. Link
  • Colorado, 1979. Link
  • Colorado, 1980. Link

USA – Connecticut

  • Connecticut, 1979. Link
  • Connecticut, 1980. Link
  • Connecticut, 1982. Link
  • Connecticut, 1986. Link

USA – Delaware

  • Delaware, 1981. Link
  • Delaware, 1982. Link

USA – District of Columbia

USA – Georgia

  • Georgia, 1981.  Link

USA – Hawaii

  • Hawaii, 1981.  Link
  • Hawaii, 1983.  Link

USA – Indiana

  • Indiana, 1980. Link
  • Indiana, 1982. Link

USA – Illinois

  • Illinois, 1980. Link
  • Illinois, 1982. Link

USA – Iowa

USA – Kansas

  • Kansas, 1980. Link

USA – Kentucky

  • Kentucky, 1980. Link

USA – Louisiana

  • Louisiana, 1980. Link
  • Louisiana, 1982. Link

USA – Maine

USA – Maryland

  • Maryland, 1977.  Link
  • Maryland, 1978.  Link
  • Maryland, 1979.  Link
  • Maryland, 1980.  Link
  • Maryland, 1983. Link

USA – Massachusetts

  • Massachusetts, 1974 – Part 1. Link
  • Massachusetts, 1974 – Part 2. Link
  • Massachusetts, 1974 – Part 3. Link
  • Massachusetts, 1974 – Part 4. Link
  • Massachusetts, 1974 – Part 5. Link
  • Massachusetts, 1979. Link
  • Massachusetts, 1980. Link

USA – Michigan

  • Michigan, 1982. Link

USA – Minnesota

  • Minnesota, 1979. Link
  • Minnesota, 1980. Link
  • Minnesota, 1984.  Link
  • Minnesota, 1985. Link
  • Minnesota, 1986.  Link

USA – Missouri

  • Missouri, 1979. Link

USA – Montana

  • Montana, 1981.  Link

USA – Nebraska

  • Nebraska, 1980.  Link
  • Nebraska, 1985. Link

USA – Nevada

  • Nevada, 1980.  Link

USA – New Hampshire

  • New Hampshire, 1980.  Link
  • New Hampshire, 1984.  Link

USA – New Jersey

  • New Jersey, 1978. Link
  • New Jersey, 1979. Link
  • New Jersey, 1980. Link
  • New Jersey, 1982. Link
  • New Jersey, 1984. Link

USA – New Mexico

  • New Mexico, 1980.  Link
  • New Mexico, 1982.  Link
  • New Mexico, 1985.  Link

USA – North Carolina

  • North Carolina, 1978.  Link
  • North Carolina, 1980. Link

USA – Ohio

USA – Oregon

USA – Rhode Island

  • Rhode Island, 1980. Link
  • Rhode Island, 1986.  Link

USA – Texas

USA – Utah

USA – Oklahoma

  • Oklahoma, 1980. Link

USA  – Oregon

  • Oregon, 1978.  Link
  • Oregon, 1982. Link
  • Oregon, 1983.  Link
  • Oregon, 1985.  Link
  • Oregon, 1986. Link

USA – Pennsylvania

  • Pennsylvania, 1983. Link

USA – South Carolina

  • South Carolina, 1980.  Link
  • South Carolina, 1982.  Link

USA – Tennessee

  • Tennessee, 1978.  Link
  • Tennessee, 1980. Link
  • Tennessee, 1982.  Link

USA – Virginia

  • Virginia, 1980. Link
  • Virginia, 1981. Link

USA – Washington State

  • Washington, 1978.  Link
  • Washington, 1979.  Link
  • Washington, 1981. Link
  • Washington, 1982.  Link

USA – West Virginia

  • West Virginia, 1985. Link
  • West Virginia, 1986. Link

USA – Wisconsin

  • Wisconsin, 1979.  Link
  • Wisconsin, 1980. Link
  • Wisconsin, 1981.  Link
  • Wisconsin, 1982.  Link
  • Wisconsin, 1984.  Link

124 thoughts on “And Awaaay We Go: George Thorogood and the Destroyers’ Legendary 50 States in 50 Dates Tour”

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