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:
- Oct. 5, 1977 – The Childe Harold. Washington, DC.
- Dec. 14-15, 1977 – The Childe Harold. Washington, DC.
The Childe Harold.
Date: October 5, 1977.
Venue: The Childe Harold. 1610 20th St NW. Washington, DC. 20009. USA.
Find it on Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/qdho4XBg1tyVJSPZ6
Venue Exterior:
1980s:
Source: Facebook.
2018:
Venue Interior:
1978:
Above: Roomful of Blues, Tom Principato and Mark Wenner (Nighthawks) perform at the Childe Harold in 1978. Source: Facebook.
Opening Act: Unknown.
Poster / Flyer / Handbill: I have not (yet) come across a poster, flyer or handbill for the Destroyers’ 1977 shows at the Childe Harold. 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. Oct. 1977. Pg. 15.
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 Childe Harold had capacity for approximately 85 people. The Destroyers played to a “packed house”.
Source: Washington Post. Oct. 7, 1977.
Set List: Unknown.
Was the Concert Recorded? Unknown. Please get in touch if you have any information.
Concert Photos: I am still seeking any photos from this concert. Please contact me if you know of any.
Concert Reaction:
Richard Harrington of the Washington Post had this to say about the Destroyers’ concert at the Childe Harold on October 5, 1977:
“Thorogood, who is building a strong local following through frequent performances (Wednesday night he was at the Childe Harold), is in many ways rough and almost ready. His voice is unrefined, his playing frequently sparse, elemental.
But he has the feel. He’s descended from primitive blues stylists like Detroit’s John Lee Hooker and Chicago’s Elmore James, both seminal figures among rock ‘n’ roll roots. Thorogood follows that line, and one also hears a bit of early Carl Perkins and Chuck Berry in the non-blues-dominated numbers. Ultimately, though, the test of the idiom is in its effect on an audience. The packed house, including many area musicians, was treated to fundamental raucous roll.”
Source: Washington Post. Oct. 7, 1977.
Other Notes: None.
Fate of the Venue: The Childe Harold closed in November 2007.
Source: Washington Post. Nov. 7, 2007. Pg. B1.
The Childe Harold.
Date: December 14 & 15, 1977.
Venue: The Childe Harold. 1610 20th St NW. Washington, DC. 20009. USA.
Find it on Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/qdho4XBg1tyVJSPZ6
Venue Exterior:
1980s:
Source: Facebook.
2018:
Venue Interior:
1978:
Above: Roomful of Blues, Tom Principato and Mark Wenner (Nighthawks) perform at the Childe Harold in 1978. Source: Facebook.
Opening Act: Unknown.
Poster / Flyer / Handbill: I have not (yet) come across a poster, flyer or handbill for the Destroyers’ 1977 shows at the Childe Harold. 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. 75.
Ticket Price: Unknown.
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: Unknown. The Childe Harold had capacity for approximately 85 people. The Destroyers played to a “packed house”.
Source: Washington Post. Oct. 7, 1977.
Set List: Unknown.
Were these Concerts Recorded? Unknown. Please get in touch if you have any information.
Concert Photos: I am still seeking any photos from this concert. Please contact me if you know of any.
Concert Reaction: I have not yet found any printed reviews of these shows.
Other Notes: None.
Fate of the Venue: The Childe Harold closed in November 2007.
Source: Washington Post. Nov. 7, 2007. Pg. B1.
50 States in 50 Dates 