George Thorogood's rasping growl and squealing, overdriven slide was Rounder Records' best kept secret until "Bad to the Bone" came out in 1982. His saxophone-heavy Blues Rock became an FM radio/MTV staple and song titles like "I Drink Alone" became bumper stickers and catchphrases for late-stage alcoholics all over the country. Due in part to this success, Thorogood has never been a favorite among blues purists, but his early recordings showcase a genuine Hound Dog Taylor influence, matching the master's jagged guitar in caterwauling screech, if not incendiary speed.
