The Night George Thorogood Rocked The Hitching Post in Cheyenne

October 29, 1981, a year before "Bad To The Bone" made him a household name, George Thorogood and the Destroyers rolled into Cheyenne in a checkered taxi and rocked the Coach Room at the old Hitching Post Inn.

Lonesome George and his band had already released two gold albums when they hit the road for the record-setting 50/50 tour, becoming the first group to play all 50 states in 50 days. Wyoming was the seventh stop on the tour, which began a week earlier in Boulder, Colo. The band originally planned to perform at the Wyoming Frontier Prison in Rawlins. After that show was canceled at the last minute, the tour was re-routed to Cheyenne.

When the tour ended in December, Thorogood and the Destroyers performed a total of 51 shows in 50 days, playing in every state and the District of Columbia. This year, the band will celebrate their 45th anniversary. Over the years, they have released 16 studio albums, including two platinum and six gold records, which have collectively sold over 15 million copies worldwide.

According to a blog post, the Coach Room at the Hitching Post had an official capacity of 150, but often hosted much larger crowds for a long list of legendary artists including Johnny Cash, Tom Jones, and Dolly Parton. The venue was also famous for hosting political fundraisers, including appearances by Presidents Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, and Ronald Reagan.

Enter your number to get our free mobile app