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PAGE 18 March 1, 1985

 

 

Move it on over for George

Despite the wide variety of musical
styles that have sprung up over the
years, a few bands have kept up the
traditions of the original rockers.

by DAVE WATSON

George Thorogood and the Destroyers
are the latest in a long, distinguished
line of bands (including the Beatles) to
receive inspiration from Chuck Berry.
The result is a four piece (guitar, bass,
saxophone and drums) lineup produc-
ing hard, simple, and clean rock.

Chuck Berry, was the first concert |
ever went to, so | have a_ special
fondness for this type of music. During
his creative period of the mid and late
50’s, Chuck was one of the few black
artists to achieve success playing the
basic Blues-based rock of the time.
Most other blacks (like Little Richard)
had their songs covered by white
singers like Pat Boone and Elvis
Presley, and only the whites had
nationwide hits.

Berry electrified guitar blues and

 

wrote songs mostly about girls and
cars, thus creating distinctly American
rock. Thorogood has taken this basis
and added other influences from the
same period (like Johnny Cash), and
written his own material in the same
spirit.

The spirit, or soul, of this type of
rock is rare in today’s world. Bob
Seger sold his soul with the Night
Moves album. Bruce Springsteen mis-
placed his sometime after 1978. Pseu-
do-nostalgia is sold as rockabilly, but
the authenticity is lacking. Only the
new John Fogerty album and George’s
February 17 concert at UBC’s War
Memorial Gym have kept me from
sinking into a deep depression.

We carefully lined up to enter the
show—carefully because the ground
was covered in numerous glass con-
tainers for a variety of alcoholic
beverages. As | expected, this was to
be a drinking concert. The band began
practically on time and received a
massive welcome from the capacity '
crowd.

Saxman

 

photo by Dave Watson

The last few times George was in
town, he played legendary marathon
shows of over three hours. Sunday he
played only two hours, but it was
quality time. There wasn’t a single
dud song or long, unneccessary solo;
just rhythm and blues rock, full of
energy and spirit.

The Destroyers are a great live
band, honed by years of touring. Tight
drumming, aggressive saxophone, a
simple, functional bassline and guitar
chords carved to fit right in. In
addition, George likes to insert ‘’Van-
couver’’ into lyrics and toss in refer-
ences to local landmarks like the
Commodore Ballroom, to the delight of
the crowd.

The show featured material from all
their albums. Two Chuck Berry covers
(Memphis, Tennesee and Reelin and
Rocking) and the oft-recorded Who Do
You Love? blended in perfectly with
the band’s own numbers like Cocaine
Blues, Move It On Over and Bad to the
Bone. A great show from a terrific
band with clean, loud sound.

 

 

Due to financial limitations, the Other Press has been forced to run this ad.

 

 

 

~ Rob Reiner's new romantic comedy. _

    
  

The sure thing comes
once in a lifetime...
but the real thing
lasts forever.

 

 

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A Pan-Canadian Release

Opens at a_ Theatre

near you on March

1st.