Gear Jammer Explained

"Gear Jammer" is a rock song by American blues rock band George Thorogood and the Destroyers, released on their 1985 album Maverick by EMI America Records.^{[1] [2]} It was written by George Thorogood.^[3] The song is often considered one of their best, and is often played live.^[4]

Writing and recording

Gear Jammer started out as an instrumental jam session, the Destroyers liked the song and Thorogood came up with the lyrics for it.^[5] Thorogood later said that "Gear jammer is a slang term for a trucker, and it had a kind of cool vibe about it. I started putting some words together in my head, and I came up with the riff at the start."

Thorogood said the title "Gear Jammer" came from a Johnny Cash song.

Release

Gear Jammer was released as the lead single from their sixth studio album Maverick,^[6] as a 12-inch single.^[7] The song debuted at No. 46,^[8] and peaked at No. 26 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.^{[9] [10]} The song was included on several live and compilation albums.^[11]

Critical reception

Gear Jammer was received positively by critics. Tim Peacock of uDiscover Music described the song as a "tour de force truck drivin’ anthem".^[12] Fidel Bessera of Blues Rock Review calls the song a "hard-hitting bluesy rocker".

Personnel

• George Thorogood – vocals, guitar
• Billy Blough – bass guitar
• Jeff Simon – drums
• Hank Carter – saxophone

Notes and References

1. Web site: McStea . Mark . December 16, 2022 . George Thorogood’s Top Five Career-Defining Destroyers Tracks . Guitar Player.
2. Web site: Viglione . Joe . Maverick Review by Joe Viglione . AllMusic.
3. Web site: uDiscover Team . March 8, 2020 . George Thorogood - Prodigiously-Talented Boogie Blues Guitarist . uDiscover Music.
4. Web site: Beserra . Fidel . June 24, 2021 . Top 10 George Thorogood Songs . Blues Rock Review.
5. Web site: Wardlaw . Matt . April 13, 2022 . The Story Behind George Thorogood’s Slow-Developing ‘Bad to the Bone’ . Ultimate Classic Rock.
6. February 23, 1985 . Maverick Thorogood LP released by EMI America . . 7 . World Radio History . 41.
7. January 11, 1985 . The Gavin Report - January 11, 1985 . . 27 . World Radio History.
8. January 19, 1985 . Billboard Volume 97 No. 3 . . 18 . World Radio History.
9. February 2, 1985 . Billboard Volume 97 No. 5 . . 24 . World Radio History.
10. Web site: George Thorogood Awards . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121203033725/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/george-thorogood-mn0000647834/awards . December 3, 2012 . January 16, 2021 . AllMusic.
11. Web site: Gear Jammer - George Thorogood AllMusic . AllMusic.
12. Web site: Peacock . Tim . February 25, 2022 . New George Thorogood Collection, ‘The Original George Thorogood’ Due In April . uDiscover Music.