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Paul Kelly In Conversation With George Thorogood: MGK’s Big Gig 2024

Paul Kelly got the chance to chat with the one and only George Thorogood ahead of MGK’s Big Gig 2024. The two had a lively conversation about touring, John Fogerty,…

george thorogood Performs At Ak-Chin Pavilion

PHOENIX, ARIZONA – SEPTEMBER 07: George Thorogood performs at Ak-Chin Pavilion on September 07, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Paul Kelly got the chance to chat with the one and only George Thorogood ahead of MGK's Big Gig 2024.

The two had a lively conversation about touring, John Fogerty, and Thorogood's incredible, 50-year-spanning career.

George Thorogood

George Thorogood has an ongoing legacy unlike any in Rock History.

Thorogood and The Destroyers have made good work of reinventing obscure blues, country, and R&B tracks by icons Bo Diddley, John Lee Hooker, and Hank Williams. Now-classic hits like "Who Do You Love?", "Boogie Chillun" and "Move It On Over" have kept the music of American Masters alive for the MTV Generation and beyond.

Not to be forgotten, his originals such as "I Drink Alone," 'Gear Jammer," and the anthemic "Bad To The Bone" have helped solidify his one-of-a-kind career built on humor, passion, and swagger.

George and The Destroyers have shared stages with many music heroes. They perform for audiences all over the world and have always stayed true to who they are. And it's clear that George still loves what he does.

MGK's Big Gig 2024

John Fogerty will headline MGK’s Big Gig on June 7, 2024, with special guests George Thorogood & The Destroyers. The Big Gig 2024 is a stop on John Fogerty's Celebration Tour with Hearty Har also on the bill.

One of WMGK‘s biggest events is back, starring two classic rock icons. Our Big Gig 2024 is sure to be as fun as ever with great musical acts set to take the stage!

The show is at the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion just over the bridge in Camden, New Jersey. It's yet another year of great acts at a great venue made even better by listeners like YOU coming out.

Tickets are still available. Don't miss your chance to see these incredible classic rock stars blaze on the main stage on Friday, June 7, 2024.

Big gig 2024 buy tickets button

Paul Kelly Chats With George Thorogood

As you can see from our photos, MGK Big Gig 2023 was a huge success for listeners, staff, performers, and everyone involved.

ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd rocked Freedom Mortgage Pavilion on the Camden Waterfront for a memorable celebration of classic rock on the only local stop on the ‘Sharp Dressed Simple Man’ Tour. 102.9 MGK kicked off the day with live broadcasts from the regular weekday lineup.

Tony Harris went live from 4 pm-5 pm, followed by Andre Gardner from 5 pm-6 pm and The Matt Cord Show with Steve Vassalotti from 6 pm-7 pm. The MGK staff got to interact with the station's listeners at Freedom Mortgage Pavilion for one of the most fun days on the calendar. Despite a little rain early in the day, the venue filled up quickly. The lawn was packed for the performance of two giants in the history of Rock & Roll. 

Lynyrd Skynyrd

After Uncle Kracker’s opening performance at 6:30, Lynyrd Skynyrd took the stage. Classics never die, as “That Smell,” “Sweet Home Alabama,” and the “Free Bird” encore got the crowd involved as much as any songs.

Concert Setlist:

Workin' for MCA
Skynyrd Nation
What's Your Name
That Smell
I Know a Little
Whiskey Rock-a-Roller
Saturday Night Special
Gimme Back My Bullets
Tuesday's Gone
Simple Man
Gimme Three Steps
Call Me the Breeze
Sweet Home Alabama
Encore: Free Bird

ZZ Top

Billy Gibbons and company hit the stage at Freedom Mortgage Pavilion around 9:30 pm after Lynyrd Skynyrd.

ZZ Top played some of their biggest hits like “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” “Sharp Dressed Man,” and “La Grange” at MGK Big Gig.

Concert Setlist:

Got Me Under Pressure
I Thank You
Waitin' for the Bus
Jesus Just Left Chicago
Gimme All Your Lovin'
Pearl Necklace
I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide
I Gotsta Get Paid
My Head's in Mississippi
Sixteen Tons
Just Got Paid
Sharp Dressed Man
Legs

MGK Big Gig Photos

Matt Cord and Steve Vassalotti

BigGig5.jpgGina Cosenza | BBGI Philadelphia

102.9 broadcasted live from Freedom Mortgage Pavilion on Sunday from 4pm-7pm. Matt Cord and Steve Vassalotti handled the final hour leading up to the show.


ZZ Top

20230917_WMMR_ZZ-Top_0023.jpgChris K Photography for WMGK

Billy Gibbons has become the most famous member of ZZ Top. The band has been together since the 1970s.


Lynyrd Skynyrd

20230917_WMMR_LynardSKynard_0035.jpgChris K Photography for WMGK

Lynyrd Skynyrd has stood the test of time despite the tragedy that struck the band in 1977.


Lynyrd Skynyrd

BigGig2.jpgGina Cosenza | BBGI Philadelphia

Lynyrd Skynyrd has continued to play despite the tragic plane crash in 1977. Their classic hits have stood the test of time.


Lynyrd Skynyrd

BigGig3.jpgGina Cosenza | BBGI Philadelphia

Freedom Mortgage Pavilion has a packed schedule of concerts throughout the summer. It's one of the most popular concert venues in the Philadelphia area.


Lynyrd Skynyrd

BigGig1.jpgGina Cosenza | BBGI Philadelphia

Lynyrd Skynyrd is one of the quintessential bands that define Southern Rock.


Lynyrd Skynyrd

BigGig4.jpgGina Cosenza | BBGI Philadelphia

Lynyrd Skynyrd played hit songs like "Sweet Home Alabama" and "That Smell" during their set. They used the iconic "Free Bird" as the encore.


Andre Gardner

BigGig7.jpgGina Cosenza | BBGI Philadelphia

Resident Beatles expert Andre Gardner is a crowd favorite. He even received this gift from a listener.


Lynyrd Skynyrd

BigGig8.jpgGina Cosenza | BBGI Philadelphia

Lynyrd Skynyrd performed for about two hours on the main stage. ZZ Top followed them up with another excellent performance.


MGK Big Gig 2023

BigGig9.jpgGina Cosenza | BBGI Philadelphia

Freedom Mortgage Pavilion has a packed schedule of concerts throughout the summer. It's one of the most popular concert venues in the Philadelphia area.


MGK Big Gig 2023

BigGig10.jpgColin Newby | BBGI Philadelphia

The lights at Freedom Mortgage Pavilion captivated the crowd during the Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top sets.


MGK Big Gig 2023

BigGig12.jpgColin Newby | BBGI Philadelphia

Barb from Barb's Harley Davidson stopped by the MGK broadcast tent. She is pictured here with Steve Vassalotti.


MGK Big Gig 2023

BigGig15.jpgColin Newby | BBGI Philadelphia

Lynyrd Skynyrd took the main stage around 7:30 pm. The local crowd cheered the entrance of one of the best Southern Rock bands.


Barb's Harley Davidson

BigGig17.jpgColin Newby | BBGI Philadelphia

Barb's Harley Davidson riders pulled up to the concert around 5 pm. They didn't let the rain get them down!


Barb's Harley Davidson

BigGig18.jpgColin Newby | BBGI Philadelphia

The Harley riders parked their bikes outside Freedom Mortgage Pavilion. They know how to ride in style.


Barb's Harley Davidson

BigGig20.jpgColin Newby | BBGI Philadelphia

Barb's Harley Davidson riders pulled up to the concert around 5pm. The styl of the bikes cruising through Camden made for a proud entrance.


Lynyrd Skynyrd

20230917_WMMR_LynardSKynard_0001.jpgChris K Photography for WMGK

Lynyrd Skynyrd became famous from classics like "Sweet Home Alabama" and 'Free Bird."


MGK Big Gig 2023

BigGig16.jpgColin Newby | BBGI Philadelphia

Andre Gardner is a crowd favorite. He is pictured here with Jim Sutcliffe of Live Nation.


MGK Big 2023

BigGig22.jpgColin Newby | BBGI Philadelphia

The Pic-A-Lilli Inn in Shamong, NJ provided boxed meals. The buffalo chicken sandwiches really hit the spot.


ZZ Top

20230917_WMMR_ZZ-Top_0014.jpgChris K Photography for WMGK

Billy Gibbons has become the most famous member of ZZ Top. The band has been together since 1969.


Barb's Harley Davidson

BigGig19.jpgColin Newby | BBGI Philadelphia

The riders strolled through on some impressive looking bikes.


Matt Cord and Steve Vassalotti

BigGig6.jpgGina Cosenza | BBGI Philadelphia

102.9 broadcasted live from Freedom Mortgage Pavilion on Sunday from 4pm-7pm. Matt Cord and Steve Vassalotti handled the final hour leading up to the show.


ZZ Top

20230917_WMMR_ZZ-Top_0024.jpgChris K Photography for WMGK

ZZ Top became famous for hit songs like "Tush" and "Sharp Dressed Man."


MGK Big Gig 2023

BigGig21.jpgColin Newby | BBGI Philadelphia

The Harley riders parked their bikes outside Freedom Mortgage Pavilion. They know how to ride in style.


Lynyrd Skynyrd

20230917_WMMR_LynardSKynard_0029.jpgChris K Photography for WMGK

The lighting at Freedom Mortgage Pavilion enhanced Lynyrd Skynyrd's set. It became a crowd-pleaser.


Lynyrd Skynyrd

20230917_WMMR_LynardSKynard_0021.jpgChris K Photography for WMGK

Lynyrd Skynyrd became famous from classics like "Sweet Home Alabama" and 'Free Bird."


Lynyrd Skynyrd

20230917_WMMR_LynardSKynard_0015.jpgChris K Photography for WMGK

The video board at Freedom Mortgage Pavilion allows people on the lawn to see the main stage. It is one of the most prominent concert venues in the Philadelphia area.

Gina Cosenza is a digital content coordinator for Beasley Media Group Philadelphia. She has been with the company for a year, writing and assisting with all things social. As a content creator in Philadelphia, Gina covers all things Philly sports, food, music, and lifestyle