Concert Review
George Thorogood & The Destroyers
38 Special
Tuesday July 1, 2025
Artpark Outdoor Amphitheater
Lewiston, NY
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto
It seemed like déjå vu last night at Artpark. On August 1, 2017, 38 Special and George Thorogood played the outdoor Amphitheater at Artpark. Last night the same two bands were on the bill together once again. Neither band seemed to have lost a step considering how hot it got at the majestic outdoor venue. “Artpark in Lewiston, NY is the best kept secret” as George Thorogood let us know during his set. He should know as he and the Detroyers have been doing this now for over 50 years. He’s played all kinds of venues and regardless of its size always delivers.
I have seen Thorogood and his band now quite a few times over the years. There is nothing like seeing Thorogood playing in the beautiful outdoors with the kind of atmosphere that Artpark has. He thrives in the outdoor setting and seems to really let loose on stage. Joining him were Guitarist Jim Suhler, bassist Billy Blough, and saxophonist Buddy Leach. Drummer Jeff Simon has been with Thorogood since the beginning and is still going strong pounding his way with authority. Simon and Blough been together for over 49 years and that cohesiveness still shows in the band’s performance.
Thorogood the showman, always has tricks up his sleeve and always seems to keep his on stage banter fresh. Thorogood grew up loving the blues as well as other music like “Cocaine Blues” which he dedicated to Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash. He let his band take the spotlight during an instumental jam before breaking into his biggest song “Haircut” which peaked at #2 on Billboard’s Main Stream Rock Chart in 1993.
It is quite amazing to see Thorogood with all this energy up on stage at this point of his career. He does seem to play a little less guitar and focuses more on his vocals for some songs but that is because guitarist Suhler can handle the load and the band clearly does not miss a beat. If you have never experienced George Thorogood and the Destroyers make it a point very soon. You will not be disappointed.
38 Special opened the show and were able to play a full headlining set of their own and were the perfect compliment to play alongside George Thorogood once again. No other song in the band’s catalog can open the throttle and rev up the crowd like “Rockin’ Into The Night” does. 38 Special did not disappoint whether digging into songs that were on soundtracks like “Teacher Teacher” and “Back To Paradise” or songs like “Second Chance” which was their highest charting song on the Billboard singles charts.
The band lineup has remained stable since 2019 when guitarist Jerry Riggs came aboard. Vocalist/guitarist Don Barnes is the sole remaining original member. These guys are so solid live after being together since 2019. One listen to the prime cuts of the bands arsenal such as, “Caught Up In You”, “Back Where You Belong” and “Hold On Loosely” demonstrate on how good this band still sounds in a live setting.
Overall just your typical classic rock show out at Artpark on a Tuesday which was the tradition for the longest time. Over the past six years the shows were on different days. But there was always something about some classic rock at Artpark on a Tuesday. Yesterday was a tip of the hat to days past.
Photo Galleries
George Thorogood & The Destroyers
38 Special
George Thorogood Set List
Rock Party
Who Do You Love?
Mama Talk to Your Daughter
I Drink Alone
One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer
Cocaine Blues
Instrumental Jam
Gear Jammer
Get A Haircut
Bad to the Bone
Gloria
Move It On Over
Born To Be Bad
38 Special Set List
Rockin’ Into the Night
Wild-Eyed Southern Boys
Back Where You Belong
The Sound of Your Voice
Back To Paradise
Honky Tonk Dancer
Rough-Housin’
Teacher Teacher
You Keep Runnin’ Away
Somebody Like You
Second Chance
Like No Other Night
If I’d Been the One
Fantasy Girl
Good Times (The Easybeats Cover)
Caught Up In You
Encore
Chanin Lightnin’
2nd Encore
Hold On Loosely
