George Thorogood 2120 South Michigan Ave 180g 2LP

Featured in Michael Fremer's Heavy Rotation in the December 2011 Issue of Stereophile!

George Thorogood and the Destroyers pay tribute to their Chess Records heroes, including many of Thorogood's legendary mentors who helped to launch his career in rock & roll. The album features Thorogood's raw, rocking turn on classics by a who's who of the blues, including Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Howlin' Wolf, Buddy Guy, Sonny Boy Williamson, Little Walter and other Chess greats. This is the album George Thorogood was born to make!

2120 South Michigan Avenue producer Tom Hambridge says of Thorogood, "What makes this album so perfect for George is that he has been doing it authentically all along. He can deliver Howlin' Wolf better than anybody, because he's lived it. He's not going to sing something he doesn't believe in."

Named for the address of Chess Records' Chicago headquarters, 2120 South Michigan Avenue is produced by musician, songwriter and producer Tom Hambridge, a four-time GRAMMY Award nominee and 2010 GRAMMY winner for Best Contemporary Blues Album (Hambridge produced Buddy Guy's Living Proof) and ASCAP Songwriter of the Year Award winner.

George Thorogood forged his signature sound of blues-infused rock & roll with the musical guidance he received from his Chess heroes. The Destroyers fought their way to the top, barging out of Delaware in the '70s as a jarringly high-energy bunch (also featuring drummer Jeff Simon and bassist Billy Blough), playing raucous, slide guitar-stoked, blues-rock takes on tunes by Chuck Berry, Elmore James, John Lee Hooker, Bo Diddley and others. Soon, they were touring and gigging with many of these statesmen of the blues, and learning invaluable lessons with every encounter.

The Destroyers have expanded through the years; the band now includes original members Simon and Blough, as well as guitarist Jim Suhler (a Texan who was brought aboard in 1999) and saxophonist Buddy Leach, who joined in 2003.

The album contains 11 classic Chess Records covers, an exclusive vinyl-only bonus track: "Sweet Little Rock and Roller", plus two brand-new songs! 2010 Grammy winners Buddy Guy and Charlie Musselwhite both appear as guest artists.