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:
- March 2, 1981 – Husky Union Building. Seattle, Washington.
- March 12, 1981 – Cordiner Hall. Walla Walla, Washington.
- March 16, 1981 – Cowles Auditorium. Spokane, Washington.
- October 26, 1981 – Washington State University Performing Arts Coliseum. Pullman, Washington.
Husky Union Building.
Date: March 2, 1981.
The Destroyers played two shows at the Husky Union Building on this date.
Venue: Husky Union Building (aka The HUB). University of Washington. 4001 E. Stevens Way NE. Seattle, WA. 98195. USA.
Find it on Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/BFke7ziZSmdtJxpr9
Venue Exterior:
1952:
2019:
Venue Interior:
1970:
Source: University of Washington Libraries Special Collections.
Opening Act: Nu Vitations (aka Nu-Vitations; aka New Vitations).
Poster / Flyer / Handbill:
Press & Promotion:
Source: Seattle Times. Feb. 19, 1981. Pg. D11.
Source: Seattle Times. Feb. 27, 1981. Pg. 6.
Ticket Price: $7.50 students; $8.50 general public.
Ticket Stub: I am still looking for a ticket stub for this concert. Please send me a note if you have a photo or scan you can share.
Attendance: Unknown. The HUB Ballroom currently has capacity for 1,428 people. In the 1970s, some HUB Ballroom events drew crowds of 4,000 people.
Source: University of Washington Libraries Special Collections.
Set List: Unknown.
Was the Concert Recorded? Yes. This concert was filmed. A copy of the footage is held in the Wilson Special Collections Library at the University of North Carolina.
Concert Photos: I have am still looking for any photos of the Destroyers’ 1981 concert at the Husky Union Building. Please send me a note if you have any to share.
Concert Reaction: I have not (yet) found a contemporary print review of this concert, circa March 1981.
Other Notes: None.
Fate of the Venue: As of this writing, the Husky Union Building continues to function as a center for student life at the University of Washington.
Cordiner Hall.
Date: March 12, 1981.
Venue: Cordiner Hall. Whitman College. 46 S. Park St. Walla Walla, WA. 99362. USA.
Find it on Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/zzmQ3y3WMYWjyuky9
Venue Exterior:
1968:
2019:
Venue Interior:
1968:
Opening Act: Unknown.
Poster / Flyer / Handbill: I have not yet come across a poster, flyer or handbill to advertise this concert. Please send me a note if you have a photo or scan to share.
Press & Promotion:
Source: Whitman College Pioneer. Feb. 19, 1981. Pg. 6.
Source: Whitman College Pioneer. Feb. 26, 1981. Pg. 3.
Source: Whitman College Pioneer. Feb. 26, 1981. Pg. 3.
Source: Whitman College Pioneer. Feb. 26, 1981. Pg. 3.
Source: Whitman College Pioneer. March 5, 1981. Pg. 8.
Source: Whitman College Pioneer. March 6, 1981. Pg. 10.
Ticket Price: $6.00 students; $7.00 in advance; $8.00 at the door.
Ticket Stub: I am still looking for a ticket stub for this concert. Please send me a note if you have a photo or scan you can share.
Attendance: Unknown. Cordiner Hall currently has capacity for 1,384 people.
Source: Whitman College.
Set List: Unknown.
Was the Concert Recorded? Unknown.
Concert Photos:
Source: Whitman College Waiilatpu Yearbook. 1980-1981. Pg. 54.
Concert Reaction: I have not (yet) found a contemporary print review of this concert, circa March 1981.
Other Notes: None.
Fate of the Venue: As of this writing, the Cordiner Hall continues to host concerts and other live events.
Cowles Auditorium.
Date: March 16, 1981.
Venue: Cowles Auditorium. Whitworth College. W. Hawthorne Rd. Spokane, WA. 99218. USA.
Find it on Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/n6CfJXeJctPojZZJA
Venue Exterior:
1960s:
2015:
Venue Interior:
1956:
Source: Whitworth College Natsihi Yearbook. 1956. Pg. 133.
Opening Act: Robert Cray Band.
Poster / Flyer / Handbill: I have not yet come across a poster, flyer or handbill to advertise this concert. Please send me a note if you have a photo or scan to share.
Press & Promotion:
Source: Whitworthian. March 16, 1981. Pg. 8.
Ticket Price: $5.00 advance (students); $7.50 at the door (students); $6.00 advance (general public); $8.00 at the door (general public).
Ticket Stub: I am still looking for a ticket stub for this concert. Please send me a note if you have a photo or scan you can share.
Attendance: Unknown. Cowles Auditorium currently has capacity for 1,100 people.
Source: Whitworth University.
Set List:
- One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer.
- Reelin’ and Rockin’.
Source: Spokesman Review. March 17, 1981. Pg. 15.
Was the Concert Recorded? Unknown.
Concert Photos: I have am still looking for any photos of the Destroyers’ 1981 concert at Cowles Auditorium in Spokane. Please send me a note if you have any to share.
Concert Reaction:
Don Adair of the Spokesman Review filed a positive report about the Destroyers’ concert at Cowles Auditorium in Spokane on March 16, 1981:
“A whole lot of people forgot how to be cool last night. “HERE TONIGHT,” the banner read, “THE AMAZING FIVE-MAN TRIO.” Never mind that Thorogood and the Destroyers are now four – with the welcome addition of a sax to the line-up – the legend said it all as Whitworth’s Cowles Memorial Auditorium rocked with an absolute vengeance.
Spokane’s characteristic reserve was imperiled from the beginning. The Robert Cray Band, opening the show, took charge early with their tight, controlled Chicago-styled blues set. The Cray Band was greeted with the fervor of home-town favorites. The classy Eugene-based band has become a fixture at Washboard Willie’s in the past couple of years and the Spokane audience claimed them as its own. The band ran through a fine selection of exceptional material…
But as good as Cray was last night, the crowd was ready for Thorogood and after a single, well-deserved encore the stage was set for some rock steady, honest-as-the-day-is-long rock and roll.
“Rock and roll is what we play, sir,” Thorogood told one front row zealot early on. And he delivered. Thorogood specializes in raw, energetic rock, a half-breed rock that served as the transition from city and Delta blues to rock and roll thirty years ago… Thorogood attacks the stage. He assaults the audience. He bruises and batters. He walks with a swagger and spews verbal venom. He’s a rock and roller killer. Though he plays no original material – “I’m not good enough” – he transcends the archivists because he plays his music like a lover, not like a student.
Thorogood duck walked into our hearts and played his way into our finest rock and roll memories. He’s welcome back any old time.”
Source: Spokesman Review. March 17, 1981. Pg. 15.
Other Notes: None.
Fate of the Venue: Whitworth College was renamed Whitworth University in 2007. As of this writing, the Cowles Auditorium continues to host concerts and other public events.
50 States in 50 Dates 