# Maverick (George Thorogood and the Destroyers album)

Maverick is the sixth studio album by the American blues rock band George Thorogood and the Destroyers. It was released on January 25, 1985 by the label EMI America Records. Some of its songs are among Thorogood's best-known, including "I Drink Alone" and "Willie and the Hand Jive". The album peaked at No. 32 on the Billboard 200 chart.

## Background

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 of 1984, at the Dimension Sound Studios in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts. The album was produced by Terry Manning, who would continue to produce the Destroyers' next several studio albums.

## 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 in January 1985. The song peaked at No. 26 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
"I Drink Alone" was released in February 1985. 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.
"Willie and the Hand Jive" released in June 1985, 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.

## 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

Professional ratings :
| Review scores ||
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | |
| The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings | |
| The Virgin Encyclopedia of the Blues | |
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." AllMusic's Joe Viglione says "George Thorogood is forever consistent and Maverick is more of the blues/rock driving sound the journeyman guitarist is known for." 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

| Chart (1985) | Peak position |
| Australia (Kent Music Report) | 32 |
| Canada (RPM) | 35 |
| New Zealand (RMNZ) | 14 |
| US Billboard 200 | 32 |

## Certifications

Certifications for Maverick :
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
| Canada (Music Canada) | Gold | 40,000$^^$ |
| United States (RIAA) | Gold | 500,000$^^$ |
$^^$ Shipments figures based on certification alone.