with David Blakey
The master of blues rock is back! George Thorogood's first studio release in three years, "The Dirty Dozen," (Capitol/EMI) is a mix of six rockin' new tunes, low-down fan favorites, as well as some covers of Thorogood's favorite artists and songwriters, including Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Bo Diddley.
As one reviewer put it: "Thorogood's version of Diddley's, "Let Me Pass" is a high-octane, roots-rock raver with the click-clack rhythm of the highway, an anarchic spirit, and energetic swipes of rockabilly-tinged guitar" (KA Gordon, about.com).
Recently, www.BoDiddley.com's resident Diddley historian, David Blakey, posed his own, dirty dozen questions to Thorogood, while the CD -- released in both CD and vinyl formats -- sits in the number one position atop the Billboard Charts.
DB. George, you've released a great, rocking version of the Bo Diddley song "Let Me Pass" on your new Capitol/EMI album "The Dirty Dozen." Congratulations on all the great reviews! What's the concept behind the album and where did you first get to hear Bo's original version of "Let Me Pass?"
GT. In 1971 and '72, Ron Smith and I would go up to a warehouse in Philly and they had boxes of Chess and Excello promotional records in yellow wrappers. They were 99 cents apiece. We would buy them all! They had Lightnin Hopkins, Slim Harpo, Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters and, of course, Bo Diddley. That's where I found "Let Me Pass."
DB. You've recorded a number of versions of Bo Diddley songs over the years, most notably "Who Do You Love" and "Ride On Josephine." Are there any more of his songs that you particularly enjoy and would like the opportunity to record or perform?
GT. "Let Me Pass" was the one I always wanted to do. We'll see. I don't want to tip anybody off on any Bo songs that I would record in the future. You gotta keep a lid on those nuggets!
DB. What's your earliest recollection of hearing a Bo Diddley record?
GT. It was in 1966. At first I didn't like him. I was used to hearing The Beatles and real clean, commercial music. Then a year later I got a copy of Bo Diddley's "16 Greatest Hits." I loved that record. I wore it out!
DB. What's your all-time favorite record?
GT. Bo Diddley's "16 Greatest Hits" was one of them. I only listened to about a dozen albums, back then. Bo, Chuck Berry's "Golden Decade," Elmore James, John Lee Hooker, you know. I remember a record with Little Walter, Howlin' Wolf and Bo. Bo was dressed like Superman on the cover we loved it. Bo was Superman!
DB. Do you have any recollections of seeing Bo perform live on-stage or on TV before you met him in the late 1970's?
GT. The first time I saw Bo was on Thanksgiving Day 1972, in Philadelphia. He opened for Ten Years After. He was backed up by the TJ Tindle Band. He came out dressed in black. He acted like he was the king of the world. He was way ahead of his time and he blew the crowd away. They loved him. It was that Bo Diddley beat that got to them.
DB. You performed "Who Do You Love" on-stage with Bo at Live Aid in 1985. What do you remember most about that performance?
GT. It was a crazy day. It was very hot and chaotic. There were all kinds of people stumbling over themselves. Bo was a bit agitated, but Albert Collins chilled him out and saved the day.
DB. Do you have any anecdotes about the shooting of the music video for your song "Bad To The Bone," in which you and Bo played a game of pool?
GT. That was a great day! Lots of hard work. We had to shoot the pool shots over and over again. Bo stole the video. He was a trooper. I was looking to get into the movies back then, but Bo wound up getting all the offers! That video really helped my career.
DB. You're a big fan of vinyl. What's the rarest/most valuable item you have in your record collection?
GT. Bo's "16 Greatest Hits," Chuck Berry's "Golden Decade"... the albums I mentioned earlier.
DB. Bo was known for his trademark guitar sound. Did he ever share any of his secrets with you of how he created some of those unique sounds?
GT. Are you kidding? It was a well-kept secret. He guarded it with both pistols and a loaded shotgun.
DB. What did you most admire about Bo Diddley and his music?
GT. Bo was totally unique. There's nobody like him and there will never be another Bo. He defined the word "Bad."
DB. What was the best time for music?
GT. Probably '55 - '75. You know, before music became a billion dollar business.
DB. Who would you like to record with?
GT. One day I would like to play with Bob Dylan. It would be great to lay down some slide on a Dylan track.
DB: George, thanks so much for your time. Continued good luck with "The Dirty Dozen" and your tour dates. Thanks, too, to your manager, Mike Donahue, for helping to make this interview happen.
David Blakey is a freelance writer and record dealer. He has been a fan of rock & roll since January 1965 when, aged 12, he saw Chuck Berry, the Moody Blues and the Graham Bond Organization at the ABC Theatre in Hull, England. He currently oversees a number of authorized Bo Diddley websites, dividing his time between Yorkshire, England and Portland, Oregon. In his spare time, he enjoys country walks and listening to Classic Rock and Avant/Prog radio.
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For More Information Visit:
George Thorogood's Official Website
Purchase Bo's version of "Let Me Pass" on iTunes
Available for the first time ANYWHERE on August 25th!
