Troy Silvers Spotlight!

From the desk of our Troy Silvers

Welcome to "Troy Silvers' Spotlight". All valid feedback and suggestions will be welcome through the forum and the forum only. This section of the Weekly Musician has been in the works for many a month now and I just want, first off, to say that I'm more than happy to take your suggestions seriously if you take this page seriously. This section, like every section of the Weekly Musician, has been planned and planned again... and again to ensure it's entertainment value and promotional goal. Going in, there were certain things I knew I must control and own... while there were things that I knew Norm and Hollywood would certainly have say over. In the end, this; The views, opinions, and even the facts are purely the belief of Troy Silvers and are meant in no way to reflect the opinions of Norm, Hollywood, the Weekly Musician, any other member of their staff or it's forum, the interviewed, nor your mother! All views shared on this page are for entertainment purposes only. In no way do we claim to be an encyclopedia. These interviews may at times include substituted questions and/or answers from other interviews of the same artist. Due to time constraints, not every artist will have the time for one long interview. In no way do any of the above claim ownership of any borrowed images, logos, or names. All belong to their legal owner. Okay...

Troy Silvers Spotlight on...

First some bare (bad) bones facts. Born George Thorogood, 24 Dec. 1950, Wilmington, Delaware. His interest in music, Chicago blues, began in 1970. Formed George Thorogood and the Destroyers in 1973. First hit song was 1978's Hank Williams' Move it on Over. Biggest hit was 1982's Bad to the Bone. George has since married and has a daughter named Rio that he talks of fondly. In fact, it seems that in every interview or bio I find some little remark about his family, but that angle has been well played and as George can tell you from his time in semi-pro baseball, angles are everything. To this date, He has released 18 albums/singles album/greatest hits albums/re-releases. Give or take a few. Still touring with very few line up changes and still rockin'.

Now for the cool interview stuff. George and I only had about five minutes in a small dressing room for our interview. My first impression of George was one of observation. Not a big man by anyone's standards. Only about five ten and slim with those long teeth and big smile. All in direct contrast to his mean rock n' roll face, dark sunglasses, and black clothing. Next impression... Nice guy. Smart, energetic, quick witted, savvy, sharp, caring, and of course finally, talented! I started out with an easy question just to get through the ice.
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 "What music are you listening to?"

GT "A lot of Hilary Duff!" As he laughs and begins to tell me a story of Rio, his nine year old daughter. George has made it no secret he is influenced by Hound Dog Taylor and the Houserockers, John Lee Hooker, and so many others. i.e. Hank and Cash.

 "How do you see "George Thorogood and the Destroyers?""

GT "We're like a burger joint. Then again, there's nothing wrong with selling cheeseburgers as long as they're quality cheeseburgers!"

 "I once heard that you used to play on street corners just for fun, is that true?"

GT "Yeah, when I grew up listening to people like Chuck Berry and Little Richard, they were singing songs about having fun. It felt natural. I think people get much too serious about rock. I don't. If that makes me different, so be it."

 "After 25 years do you still find performing exciting?"

GT "No, it's not exciting, I'd much rather be in the dentist business," laughing. "Yes, it's exciting. I would be hard-pressed to find another line of work that is this exciting. It's rewarding to just be here, period. With the music it's just a bonus."

 "When you look back on everything you've done, what are you attempting?

GT "Our act is nothing more than a combination of what Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Elvis Presley, the Stones, the J. Geils Band, Mitch Ryder, and the Detroit Wheels did. That's all I was doing from day one. I watched all those acts, Johnny Cash and Howlin' Wolf, and I put together a little thing in my head and said, 'This is how it's done.' That's all I've been doing for the last 20 years. The writers in the early days said, 'This guy did his homework. He studied this.' Like I always say, 'I didn't write the book, but I sure as hell read it.' The records are made to get us on that bandstand. I'm never going to write like Neil Young or Bob Dylan or Paul Simon or Joni Mitchell or any of those people, and I'm never going to be able to play the guitar like Jeff Beck or Eric Clapton. I know I'm not going to sing like Aretha Franklin or Elvis Presley or any of those people. All I have is my performance, I try to feed in the best of everything that I could possibly do into those 90 minutes and to make a live entertainment show out of it."

At one point he looked at the cast on my hand and asked me what happened. I explained how a razor blade had cut through my tendon and that I had just gotten out of the hospital to come talk with him.

GT "Let me tell you something, the only thing that belongs in a guitar player's hands is his guitar and his women." Big Smile. He held up his hand and showed me the scarred end of his left ring finger and said, "After I got my finger caught in the garage door my wife won't even let me get my own socks!" Laughs. I can't say I don't agree with her George. Then just when things couldn't get any cooler, he grabbed my cast and said, "I'm using my power to heal you!" Now if I didn't tell you it was the coolest, and funniest, thing that ever happened to me I'd be lying to you. Just then a women with a Polaroid camera snapped a picture and handed it to me! It's a memory and now a picture I'll never forget! And by the way, every guitar player should be made to watch this guy live. His stage presence was unreal! Just cool!

Blues Traveler

I also would like to say that Blues Traveler was great and I ran into the band while I was backstage interviewing a few stage hands. John Popper was good enough to take a moment just to chat about the website and my reviews. Nice guy. Looking real good, Tall. JP said his favorite thing to listen to is Jimi Hendrix. He also said to let Norm know that when he views the site in 800 by 600 resolution the concert review page is only in two columns as is the strange and ridiculous page. Lol! Hey Hollywood, Norm will have nightmares about that one for the rest of his life! Lol!

(note from Norm: Tell John I fixed it, and to quit whining! Geez...John, with your money...I'd think you could afford a new monitor capable of displaying a 1024 x 768 resolution...which by the way...Is the best resolution to view the Weekly Musician! Listen...dude...you play harp, leave the designing to the experts. Yeah baby! Me & Hollywood!)

 A very special thank you to Troy Silvers for these reviews. After suffering a devastating injury which resulted in a major surgery...he was at the concert that evening, a mere few hours later! Rather than sit on the bench cradling his newly reconstructed hand...he interviewed 2 major superstars & partied like there was no tomorrow! God love you bro! You know we do my friend. (Hollywood & Norm)

Important Note

From The Editors

Thank you for visiting, and hopefully reading all our verbal ramblings. You know folks? We'd rather sing you the words, than have you read them, any day! Good luck, God Bless, stay warm & well fed.

Hollywood & Norm LLC.