Wanted All Over the World – George Thorogood and The Destroyers – Maryland 1977

This is one of a series of posts expanding on my 50 States in 50 Dates blog by documenting the global touring adventures of George Thorogood and the Delaware Destroyers and the earlier years of their career.

Quick Links:

• Sept. 21, 1977 – Psyche Delly. Bethesda, MD.
• Dec. 13, 1977 – Psyche Delly. Bethesda, MD.

Psyche Delly.

Date:  September 21, 1977.

Venue: Psyche Delly. 4846 Cordell Ave.  Bethesda, MD.  20814. USA.

Find it on Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/7raW73axDnwAuxyP7

Venue Exterior: 

1978:

2018:

Venue Interior:

1978:

Above: The Nighthawks perform at the Psyche Delly in 1978.

Opening Act:  The Nighthawks.

Source: Unicorn Times. Oct. 1977. Pg. 74.

Poster / Flyer / Handbill:  I have not (yet) come across a poster, flyer or handbill for the Destroyers’ September 1977 show at the Psyche Delly.  Please get in touch if you have a scan or a photo that you can share.

Press & Promotion: 

Source: Unicorn Times. Sept. 1977. Pg. 63.

Source: Unicorn Times. Sept. 1977. Pg. 64.

Source: Unicorn Times. Sept. 1977. Pg. 74.

Ticket Price:  Unknown.

Ticket Stub: I have yet to see a ticket stub for this concert. If you have a scan or a photo to share, please send me a note.

Attendance:  Unknown. The Psyche Delly held 250 people in 1977.

Source: Washington Post. Jan. 19, 1983.

Set List:

• One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer
• No Particular Place to Go
• Bye Bye Johnny

Source: Unicorn Times. Oct. 1977. Pg. 74.

Was the Concert Recorded?  Unknown. Please get in touch if you have any information.

Concert Photos: I am still looking for photos of this concert. Please get in touch if you know of any.

Concert Reaction:

Joe Sasfy of the Unicorn Times penned this review of the Destroyers’ performance at the Psyche Delly on September 21, 1977:

“[You] had to be at the Psyche Delly on a recent Wednesday night to see Thorogood bring his rockin’ fusion of John Lee Hooker and Elmore James to life. Like a fungus in a damp closet, Thorogood’s brand of electric R&B thrives in the kind of beer-drenched, small club atmosphere the Delly provides. By acting as hosts for Thorogood, the Nighthawks proved once again why they are so important to D.C.’s music scene. In a gesture that was both gracious and wise, the Hawks opened for Thorogood and got the audience warmed up with a well-paced set of blues… Thorogood brought to the stage his two Destroyers on bass and drums, his guitar, and a youthful and low-keyed charm backed by the loveliest Southern drawl you’ll ever hear… Thorogood danced like a demon, sent chords bouncing off the Delly’s walls, and paused only to drawl into the microphone, ‘lets rock this mutha.’ And he did.“

Source: Unicorn Times. Oct. 1977. Pg. 74.

Other Notes: None.

Fate of the Venue:

The Psyche Delly closed in January 1983.

Source: Washington Post. Jan. 19, 1983.

Psyche Delly.

Date:  December 13, 1977.

Venue: Psyche Delly. 4846 Cordell Ave.  Bethesda, MD.  20814. USA.

Find it on Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/7raW73axDnwAuxyP7

Venue Exterior: See the September 21, 1977 entry from this post (above). 

Venue Interior: See the September 21, 1977 entry from this post (above). 

Opening Act:  Unknown.

Poster / Flyer / Handbill:  I have not (yet) come across a poster, flyer or handbill for the Destroyers’ December 13, 1977 show at the Psyche Delly.  Please get in touch if you have a scan or a photo that you can share.

Press & Promotion: 

Source: Unicorn Times. Dec. 1977. Pg. 53.

Source: Unicorn Times. Dec. 1977. Pg. 74.

Ticket Price:  Unknown.

Ticket Stub: I have yet to see a ticket stub for this concert. If you have a scan or a photo to share, please send me a note.

Attendance:  Unknown. The Psyche Delly held 250 people in 1977.

Source: Washington Post. Jan. 19, 1983.

Set List: Unknown. Please get in touch if you have any details to share.

Was the Concert Recorded?  Unknown. Please get in touch if you have any information.

Concert Photos: I am still looking for photos of this concert. Please get in touch if you know of any.

Concert Reaction: I have not yet come across a printed review of this concert. Please send me a note if you have any leads.

Other Notes: None.

Fate of the Venue: The Psyche Delly closed in January 1983.

Source: Washington Post. Jan. 19, 1983.

Wanted All Over the World – George Thorogood and The Destroyers – Tennessee 1982

This is one of a series of posts expanding on my 50 States in 50 Dates blog by documenting the global touring adventures of George Thorogood and the Delaware Destroyers and the earlier years of their career.

Quick Links:

• Jan. 30, 1982 – Municipal Auditorium. Nashville, TN.
• Dec. 5, 1982 – National Guard Armory. Nashville, TN.

Municipal Auditorium.

Date:  January 30, 1982.

The Destroyers performed as part of Charlie Daniels’ Volunteer Jam VIII.

Venue: Municipal Auditorium. 417 4th Ave. N. Nashville, TN. 37201. USA.

Find it on Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/peD3Asg7iZYi85Vo6

Venue Exterior: 

1967:

Source: Tennessee State Library Archives.

2021:

Venue Interior:

1972:

Source: Tennessee State Library Archives.

Opening Act:  N/A. The Destroyers were part of a large lineup of performers for Volunteer Jam VIII that included the Charlie Daniels Band, Roy Acuff, the Oak Ridge Boys, Crystal Gayle, Johnny Lee, Leon Russell, Dickie Betts, Jimmy C. Newman, Moses Dillard & Creation, Dobie Grey, Chuck Leaven, Jimmy Hall, Duane Eddy, the Winters Brothers Band, Mississippi, Grinder’s Switch, Papa John Creech, Buddy Spicher, Dave Perkins, Richie Cannata, Jamie Nichol, Steve Walsh and Quarter Flash. 

Poster / Flyer / Handbill:  I have not (yet) come across a poster, flyer or handbill for Volunteer Jam VIII.  Please get in touch if you have a scan or a photo that you can share.

Press & Promotion: 

Source: Cashbox. Dec. 12, 1981. Pg. 15.

Source: Nashville Magazine. Jan. 1982. Pg. 20.

Ticket Price:  $12.50.

Ticket Stub:

Attendance:  9,150.

Source: Billboard Magazine. Feb. 20, 1982. Pg. 56.

Set List:

• House of Blue Lights
• Who Do You Love?
• Move It On Over

Source: The Leaf Chronicle. Feb. 1, 1982. Pg. 5B.

Was the Concert Recorded?  Yes. Volunteer Jam VIII was broadcast on the King Biscuit radio network and filmed.

Concert Photos:

Source: YouTube.

Source: The Tennessean. Feb. 1, 1982. Pg. 27.

Concert Reaction:

Correspondent Bob Millard of the Leaf Chronicle filed this positive report about the Destroyers’ performance at Volunteer Jam VIII in 1982:

“Rock fans were treated to an extraordinary display of basic rock music and hyperkinetic stage movements by Rounder Records act George Thorogood and the Destroyers.  Thorogood, who recently traveled as the opening act for the Rolling Stones on their 1981 tour, dipped, dived and duck-walked across the stage during a three-song set, which included “House of Blue Lights,” “Who Do You Love” and “Move It On Over.”  Twice during his performance, the athletic Thorogood jumped off the stage and walked deep into the front 20 or so rows of spectators without missing a guitar lick.  Crowd reaction was phenomenal, as the Boston-based (sic) rocker worked so strenuously that sweat poured down his face.“

Source: The Leaf Chronicle. Feb. 1, 1982. Pg. 5B.

Other Notes: None.

Fate of the Venue: The Municipal Auditorium in Nashville continues to host sports, concerts and other public events.

National Guard Armory.

Date:  December 5, 1982.

Venue: National Guard Armory. 3041 Sidco Dr. Nashville, TN. 37204. USA.

Note: The actual Armory building is closer to 3282 Sidco Dr.

Find it on Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/dzJx3sCbLtA3nvUn8

Venue Exterior: 

1962:

Source: The Tennessean. May 20, 1962. Pg. 6b.

2021:

Venue Interior:

1963:

Source: Nashville Banner. Dec. 13, 1963. Pg. 31.

Opening Act:  The Nighthawks.

Source: The Tennessean. Dec. 3, 1982. Pg. 54.

Poster / Flyer / Handbill:  I have not (yet) come across a poster, flyer or handbill for the Destroyers’ 1982 show at the National Guard Armory in Nashville.  Please get in touch if you have a scan or a photo that you can share.

Press & Promotion: 

Source: The Tennessean. Nov. 21, 1982. Pg. 2.

Source: The Tennessean. Nov. 28, 1982. Pg. 38.

Source: The Tennessean. Dec. 5, 1982. Pg. 12.

Ticket Price:  $9.50.

Ticket Stub: I have yet to see a ticket stub for this concert. If you have a scan or a photo to share, please send me a note.

Attendance:  Unknown. The National Guard Armory in Nashville held 570 people.

Source: Billboard Magazine. October 23, 1978. Pg. 60.

Set List: Unknown. Please get in touch if you have any information.

Was the Concert Recorded?  Unknown. Please get in touch if you have any information.

Concert Photos: I have not yet come across any photos from the Destroyers’ 1982 concert at the Nation Guard Armory in Nashville. Please drop me a note if you know of any.

Concert Reaction: I am still looking for a printed review of this concert. Please drop me a note to point me in the right direction.

Other Notes: None.

Fate of the Venue: The National Guard Armory in Nashville (aka the Clement Nannally Armory) remains in operation for the US Department of Defense. Public access and events at the site were curtailed after a security incident in 2001.

Wanted All Over the World – George Thorogood and The Destroyers – California 1983

This is one of a series of posts expanding on my 50 States in 50 Dates blog by documenting the global touring adventures of George Thorogood and the Delaware Destroyers and the earlier years of their career.

Quick Links:

• Dec. 19, 1983 – Metromedia Square TV Studio. Los Angeles, CA.

Metromedia Square TV Studio.

Date:  December 19, 1983.

The Destroyers performed and George Thorogood was interviewed for the Thicke of the Night syndicated late night television program.

Venue: Metromedia Square. 5746 Sunset Boulevard.  Los Angeles, CA.  90028. USA.

Find it on Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/MwzpiNNqZf1uurQV8

Venue Exterior: 

1983:

Source: Los Angeles Times. Sept. 13, 1983. Pt. VI, Pg. 1.

2003:

Source: Los Angeles Times. March 14, 2003. Pg. B4.

2019:

Venue Interior: See the ‘Concert Photos’ section below.

Opening Act:  N/A. Other guests on the show were the boxer Muhammed Ali, singer Eartha Kitt, and actress Alvernette Kamelle,

Poster / Flyer / Handbill:  N/A.

Press & Promotion: N/A. 

Ticket Price:  Unknown, but likely free.

Ticket Stub: I have yet to see a ticket stub for the taping of this episode. If you have a scan or a photo to share, please send me a note.

Attendance:  Unknown.

Set List:

• Who Do You Love?
• Wanted Man (George Thorogood solo acoustic; performance dedicated to Muhammed Ali)
• Move It On Over (performed by the Delaware Destroyers, Alan Thicke, and the Thicke of the Night house band).

Was the Concert Recorded?  Yes.

Concert Photos:

Concert Reaction: I have yet to find a printed review of this episode from around the time of its airing. Please get in touch if you know of one.

Other Notes: This episode of Thicke of the Night was filmed in December 1983, but aired on February 10, 1984. When introducing Move It On Over, Thorogood says that the song has been “updated in (sic) the 1983 version by Alan Thicke and George Thorogood and the Delaware Destroyers”.

Source: The Morning News. Feb. 7, 1984. Pg. D2.

Fate of the Venue: Metromedia Square closed in 2000. The building was demolished in 2003. The site is now the location of a high school.

Source: Los Angeles Times. March 14, 2003. Pg. B4.

Wanted All Over the World – George Thorogood and The Destroyers – Maryland 1980

This is one of a series of posts expanding on my 50 States in 50 Dates blog by documenting the global touring adventures of George Thorogood and the Delaware Destroyers and the earlier years of their career.

Quick Links:

• Feb. 1, 1980 – The Famous Ballroom. Baltimore, MD.

The Famous Ballroom.

Date:  February 1, 1980. The Destroyers played an early and a late show at the Famous Ballroom on this date.

Venue: The Famous Ballroom. 1717 N. Charles St. Baltimore, MD. 21201. USA.

The Famous Ballroom was on the second floor.

Find it on Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/sGvMX661mxtPDqHs5

Venue Exterior: 

1977:

Source: Reddit

2019:

Venue Interior:

Circa late 1960s/early 1970s:

Opening Act:  The Charlottesville Blues Allstars (aka The Allstars; aka The All-Stars).

Poster / Flyer / Handbill:  I have not (yet) come across a poster, flyer or handbill for the Destroyers’ 1980 shows at the Famous Ballroom.  Please get in touch if you have a scan or a photo that you can share.

Press & Promotion: 

Source: Baltimore Sun. Jan. 20, 1980. Pg. D6.

Source: Baltimore Sun. Feb. 1, 1980. Pg. B2.

Ticket Price:  $8.

Ticket Stub: I have yet to see a ticket stub for these concerts. If you have a scan or a photo to share, please send me a note.

Attendance:  1,000 per show. Of note, the Famous Ballroom officially held 600 people. Both concerts were sold out.

Source: Billboard Magazine. Feb. 16, 1980. Pg. 31 & Baltimore Sun. Feb. 4, 1980. Pg. B6.

Set List:

• Who Do You Love?
• Madison Blues
• One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer
• No Particular Place to Go
• Johnny B. Goode

Source: Baltimore Sun. Feb. 4, 1980. Pg. B6.

Was the Concert Recorded?  Unknown. Please get in touch if you have any information.

Concert Photos:

Source: Baltimore Sun. Feb. 4, 1980. Pg. B6.

Concert Reaction:

Reviewer Rafael Alvarez of the Baltimore Sun had this to say about the Destroyers’ shows at the Famous Ballroom in 1980:

“Backed up by what he called the ‘Bethesda’ Destroyers (a combo of sax, bass and drums), Thorogood turned the Famous Ballroom upside down and into a freaky, giant sock-hop for two sold-out shows last Friday night. People were twisting on tables, jumping on chairs and singing right along with the man who has a voice like sand and glue and rolls more of his R’s than Charo.”

Source: Baltimore Sun. Feb. 4, 1980. Pg. B6.

Other Notes: None.

Fate of the Venue: The Famous Ballroom briefly became Godfrey’s Famous Ballroom in 1986. In 1994, the space was incorporated into the neighboring movie theatre, “The Charles”.

Source: Baltimore Sun. Feb. 9, 1991 & Davis, Amy. “Flickering Treasures: Rediscovering Baltimore’s Forgotten Movie Theaters”. 2017. Pg. 247.

Wanted All Over the World – George Thorogood and The Destroyers – Maryland 1979

This is one of a series of posts expanding on my 50 States in 50 Dates blog by documenting the global touring adventures of George Thorogood and the Delaware Destroyers and the earlier years of their career.

Quick Links:

• Jan. 13, 1979 – Maryland Theatre. Hagerstown, MD.
• Feb. 16, 1979 – University of Maryland Student Union Grand Ballroom. College Park, MD.

Maryland Theatre.

Date:  January 13, 1979.

Venue: Maryland Theatre (aka Maryland Theatre on the Square). 21 South Potomac St. Hagerstown, MD. 21740. USA.

Find it on Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/sGvMX661mxtPDqHs5

Venue Exterior: 

1977:

Source: Morning Herald. Apr. 5, 1977. Pg. 3.

2017:

2019:

Venue Interior:

Pre-1974:

I am still looking for a photo of the Maryland Theatre’s interior circa 1979 (i.e., after the fire in 1974 and renovation in 1978). Please get in touch if you can point me in the right direction.

Opening Act:  Rockett 88 Blues Band.

Source: YouTube.

Poster / Flyer / Handbill:  I have not (yet) come across a poster, flyer or handbill for the Destroyers’ 1979 show at the Maryland Theatre.  Please get in touch if you have a scan or a photo that you can share.

Press & Promotion: 

Source: Frederick News. Jan. 6, 1979. Pg. 31.

Source: Frederick News Post. Jan. 10, 1979. Pg. F1.

Source: Frederick News Post. Jan. 10, 1979. Pg. F1.

Ticket Price:  $6 advance; $7 at the door.

Ticket Stub:

Attendance:  The Maryland Theatre held 1,500 people in 1979. This concert was sold out.

Source: Frederick News Post. Jan. 10, 1979. Pg. F1.

Set List:

• House of Blue Lights.
• One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer.
• Ride on Josephine.
• Cocaine Blues.
• It Wasn’t Me.
• The Sky is Crying.
• Madison Blues.
• Who Do You Love?
• Johnny B. Goode.

Before the start of Cocaine Blues, George reads a list of license plate numbers from illegally parked cars outside the theatre that are about to be towed.

Was the Concert Recorded?  Yes. This concert was broadcast on the radio.

Concert Photos:

Source: Flickr.com. Click the link for a gallery of photos from this concert.

Source: Facebook.

Concert Reaction: I am still looking for a print review of this show. Please get in touch if you know of one.

Other Notes: None.

Fate of the Venue: The Maryland Theatre continues to operate as a concert venue. The site underwent a major renovation in 2018 to knock down an adjoining building and expand the facility into that space.

Source: https://www.themarylandtheatre.com/history

University of Maryland Student Union Grand Ballroom.

Date:  February 16, 1979. The Destroyers played an early and a late show at the U of M on this date.

Venue: University of Maryland Student Union Grand Ballroom. 3972 Campus Dr. College Park, MD. 20742. USA.

Find it on Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/ftYdjCi1UMUot8Am6

Venue Exterior: 

1960s:

1979:

Source: Terrapin Yearbook. 1980. Pg. 16.

2019:

Venue Interior:

December 1970:

Source: The Diamondback. Dec. 11, 1970. Pg. 1.

May 1984:

Above: The Slickee Boys perform in the University of Maryland Student Union Grand Ballroom. Source: YouTube.

Opening Act:  The Charlottesville Blues Allstars (aka The Allstars; aka The All-Stars).

Poster / Flyer / Handbill:  I have not (yet) come across a poster, flyer or handbill for the Destroyers’ 1979 shows at the Grand Ballroom.  Please get in touch if you have a scan or a photo that you can share.

Press & Promotion: 

Source: The Diamondback. Feb. 1, 1979. Pg. 3.

Ticket Price:  $6.50 for students; $7.50 for non-students.

Ticket Stubs:

Attendance:  The Destroyers played to “two packed houses of 1,000 apiece” on this night.

Source: The Diamondback. Feb. 21, 1979. Pg. 8.

Set List:

• Who Do You Love?
• It Wasn’t Me
• Delaware Slide
• Madison Blues
• One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer

Source: The Diamondback. Feb. 21, 1979. Pg. 8.

Was the Concert Recorded?  Unknown. Please get in touch if you have any information.

Concert Photos:

Source: The Diamondback. Feb. 21, 1979. Pg. 8.

Source: The Diamondback. Feb. 21, 1979. Pg. 8.

Concert Reaction:

Larry Williams of the University of Maryland’s Diamondback newspaper recapped the Destroyers’ 1979 performance at the Student Union Grand Ballroom:

“George Thorogood and the Destroyers pump the best rockin’ blues since Chuck Berry duck-walked out of the limelight playing guitar just like a-ringin’ a bell.  And Friday night in the Student Union grand ballroom this thumping trio from Delaware had two packed houses of 1,000 apiece bobbing in the kind of ecstasy that can only be generated by what one fan termed ‘music that cooks’. 

Head chef and guitarist Thorogood, homespun and unpretentious as a pair of old socks, was the star of the evening. Sporting his ubiquitous black t-shirt and color-coordinated brown guitar, perspiring copiously, [Thorogood] drove the music – and the audience – to furious heights with a combination of blistering solo licks culled from Elmore James and Chuck Berry, and an awesome stage presence.  The boy was hot.  The music […] was raw, spirited, thundering.

Thorogood strutted like a lord before the waving carpet of heads that filled the Grand Ballroom like a wind-blown wheat field.  For his famous Chuck Berry riffs, he paraded across the stage on one bent knee. his other foot tapping out a path before him. During more intense moments, he dipped to almost a crouch, or leaned over the audience on the tips of his toes. His guitar was slung sideways, almost to the floor or behind his head.

Unfortunately, program scheduling compelled the Destroyers to partially abort their first show. Thorogood reportedly told his promoter when informed that it was time to quit, “Sh*t, we’re just getting started.” 

Source: The Diamondback. Feb. 21, 1979. Pg. 8.

Other Notes: None.

Fate of the Venue: The University of Maryland Student Union was renamed the Adele H. Stamp Student Union in 1983. The Grand Ballroom continues to host public and school events.