Maverick (George Thorogood and the Destroyers album)

In 1982, the Destroyers signed a recording contract with EMI America, the same year they released their fifth studio album, Bad to the Bone. The band supported the album with a worldwide concert tour, after which they returned to the United States, picked up their producer, and began recording of Maverick. == Recording ==

Recording of the album took place in July 1984, at the Dimension Sound Studios in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts. who would continue to produce the Destroyers' next several studio albums. == Songs ==

The album consists of eleven songs, split between seven covers, and four originals. Side one "Gear Jammer" is the album's opener, and lead single. "What a Price" was written by Fats Domino, while "Long Gone" is another Thorogood original. Side two Side two opens with Carl Perkins’ "Dixie Fried". John Lee Hooker wrote "Crawlin' King Snake", while "Memphis/Marie", is one of two songs written by Chuck Berry. The song combines the two Chuck Berry songs "Memphis, Tennessee" and "Little Marie." Thorogood also wrote the ballad "Woman with the Blues", and Chuck Berry wrote "Go, Go, Go" (referred to as "(Let's) Go Go Go" on some versions of the album). == Release ==

EMI America released Maverick on January 25, 1985. The album debuted at No. 77, and peaked at No. 32 on the Billboard 200 chart. Maverick eventually sold more than 500,000 copies. The album was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on August 5, 1985. Three tracks from the album were released as singles, "Gear Jammer" was released as the lead single from the album.'''' The song peaked at No. 26 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. "I Drink Alone" was the second single from the album. It is one of the Destroyer's best known songs, it is often played live and included on many live and compilation albums. It peaked at number 13 on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks. It is a cover of the Johnny Otis song of the same name. "Willie and the Hand Jive" is the only Destroyers single to reach the Billboard Hot 100 chart, Peaking at number 63. An edit of "Memphis/Marie" was released as the fourth single from the album. It was released as a 12-inch single on August 21, 1985. == Touring and promotion ==

Following the release of the album, the Destroyers embarked on the "Maverick" Tour. During the tour, the band also played Live Aid with Bo Diddley and Albert Collins, which they followed up with the second leg of their "Maverick" Tour. The Destroyers played tour dates in Canada, also in support of Maverick. Two music videos were filmed for songs from Maverick. PMI's George Bloome filmed the black-and-white music video for "I Drink Alone", in a desert near Los Angeles. The music video for "Willie and the Hand Jive" was produced at the Fifth Floor Productions in Cincinnati, Ohio, by Ellen Goldman and Maureen Arata. == Critical reception ==

Maverick received mixed reviews from critics. Cash Box wrote that Maverick "should please Thorogood’s many fans while set for a long stay on many AOR playlists." Another AllMusic critic, James Christopher Monger, called "Willie and the Hand Jive" and "I Drink Alone" one of Thorogood's "high points." ==Track listing==

(*) "Go, Go, Go" is referred to as "(Let's) Go Go Go" on some versions of the album. ==Personnel==

The following personnel are credited on the album: Musicians • George Thorogood – vocals, guitar • Billy Blough – bass guitar • Jeff Simon – drums and percussion • Hank Carter – saxophone, harmony vocals Technical • Terry Manning – producer, engineer • Ken Irwin – assistant producer • Randy Ezratty – assistant engineer • Bob Ludwig – mastering • Henry Marquez – art direction • Art Sims – design • Caroline Greyshock – photography • David Gahr – photography ==Charts==

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. ==References==