George Thorogood talks artistic freedom, turning down Martin Scorsese ahead of Indio show

After 50 years in the music business, guitarist and "Bad to the Bone" singer George Thorogood still has many things he'd like to do in his life.

"I want to be better than George Thorogood was last week," Thorogood said.

Throughout his recent interview with The Desert Sun, Thorogood sarcastically expressed everything from his excitement about actors Jennifer Lawrence and Amy Adams being single again (which they're not, they're both married) to how cool it would be if Bob Dylan asked him to play slide guitar for his next studio project. He also wondered aloud whether he could join Sir Paul McCartney's tour and rock the maracas, and star in a Martin Scorsese film.

Wait, was he serious about that last one?

“I would turn down Martin Scorsese. I’d say ‘No, Marty, I have better things to do today, I gotta wash my socks. Get somebody else,’" Thorogood said in a sarcastic tone. "If Scorsese wants me, I’m available. Robert Di Niro has to retire someday, so I want (Scorsese) to be aware of that."

George Thorogood and the Destroyers, who's been on the road for most of 2024, will end their summer tour on Sept. 6 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino.

George Thorogood had a health scare that slowed him down in 2023

In 2023, the band canceled its 50th anniversary tour due to a "very serious medical condition" for Thorogood, which required an emergency surgery from which he has since recovered. He spent the early summer on tour with former Creedence Clearwater Revival frontman John Fogerty, and described his repertoire as being on the same level as Hank Williams, The Beatles and Bob Dylan.

“(Fogerty) can play anything he wants first, last or in-between because all his songs are hits. Not too many people have that. Some of those songs people like more than others, but Fogerty is one of those people with a catalog that can stand up against anybody else’s," Thorogood said.

George Thorogood and the Destroyers is 'like a restaurant'

As part of the band's recent anniversary, George Thorogood and the Destroyers released a compilation of over 30 songs in 2023. Of course there are some tracks from the past he's listened to and thinks could have done better, but Thorogood didn't specify which ones.

He explained the early years came with challenges, such as having only three band members, and tight budgets that couldn't cover the cost of another guitarist, saxophonist or the specific producers he wanted. Still, the songs "Bad to the Bone," "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer," "Who Do You Love?" and "I Drink Alone" went on to become rock radio staples, and many others are fan favorites.

And, like a true man of the people, he knows what his crowd likes.

"We’re like a restaurant with a menu, and if something on it appeals to people and they keep coming back for it, we keep that thing on the menu, but we might add something new to it. But it’s never been about writing a song because I’m heartbroken, my wife left me, or because my father passed away. There’s nothing personal about it," Thorogood said.

For George Thorogood, artistic freedom is important

Many say the 1980s was the best decade in music due to the commercial success of artists such as Michael Jackson, Van Halen, Guns N' Roses, Duran Duran, U2 and many more. With new sounds and genres in pop, R&B, rock, metal and more, there was often pressure from labels and many artists lost creative control during the recording process.

Thorogood stated that he signed contracts for "a bit less money, and worked a bit less to accomplish a little bit more" in order to maintain his artistic freedom.

"I want to be paid what's fair, but I'm not greedy. I need the freedom to record what I want. A couple of times, the big-time people have told me 'this isn't a good song to do' and they were wrong. I vowed a long time ago to never let anyone convince me out of recording some song I know is going to work with our fans, go to radio or both," Thorogood said.

George Thorogood was honored by the University of Delaware

In June, the Delaware native was honored with the Medal of Distinction from the University of Delaware, which is the highest non-academic award given by the university's Board of Trustees. This recognition came 50 years after Thorogood and the Destroyers played their first concert together in a dormitory lounge on the University of Delaware's campus.

Thorogood was the 133rd person to receive the honor since the designation was created in 1979, joining everyone from UD graduates President Joe Biden and former Major League Baseball pitcher and manager Dallas Green to numerous faculty, donors and more.

"I thank the University of Delaware for the Medal of Distinction. I’m not sure how distinctive I am, but I accept it in the spirit it is given and am certainly flattered to receive the honor," Thorogood told Delaware Online/The News Journal ahead of receiving the honor.

'Where something's lost, something's gained'

For a rock veteran such as Thorogood, the industry has gone through many changes. It's not just new sounds and bands, but the business side of how music is recorded, promoted and distributed due to the digital age. Even though it's harder now compared to 50 years ago, Thorogood said "where something's lost, something's gained" with more outlets for artists now than ever.

“When we started, there was one radio station. ‘Underground Rock,’ is what it was called in those days, FM Radio. Now there’s a million stations you can listen to in your house with a computer, write your own song with a computer, put it on Facebook and ship it out to the whole world. You couldn’t do that 40 or 50 years ago. In those times, it was instilled by word of mouth. Yes, some things are easier and some things are harder. You have to own a computer and know how to work it, which I don’t. For my work, I need a guitar," Thorogood said.

George Thorogood turns 75 next year

After celebrating 50 years as a musician, Thorogood will turn 75 in February. When asked how he's feeling about it, he said "I hope I make it there, is that good enough?"

“If you’re still breathing and urinating without pain, it’s a good day. Today’s a great day, and if I’m still here tomorrow it will be an even greater day," Thorogood said.

If you go

What: George Thorogood and the Destroyers concert

When: 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6

Where: Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio

Cost: $52-$103

More info: fantasyspringsresort.com/george-thorogood

Desert Sun reporter Brian Blueskye covers arts and entertainment. He can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter at @bblueskye.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: George Thorogood talks Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, Martin Scorsese