George Thorogood - "Midnight Special" - Sweet Relief: A Night To Honor Taj Mahal

Video Description

George Thorogood plays a cover of the song "The Midnight Special" live in concert before a sold-out crowd at the Masonic Auditorium in San Francisco, California on February 21, 2026. The Midnight Special was a traditional folk song made famous by Lead Belly and covered by many over the years, including Pete Seeger, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Paul Evans, Johnny Rivers, Big Joe Turner, Van Morrison, Willie Watson, Little Richard, and Eric Clapton. George Thorogood is a singer, songwriter, and guitar player from Wilmington, Delaware, who along with his band The Destroyers, has released over 20 albums and the popular song "Bad To The Bone." Joining Thorogood onstage were Joe Henry (guitar), Jason Crosby (keyboards), Greg Leisz (pedal steel guitar), David Piltch (bass), Gabe Harris (percussion), and Jay Bellerose (drums). This was a special one-night benefit concert called Sweet Relief Presents: A Night To Honor Taj Mahal. The Sweet Relief Musicians Fund provides medical and vital living expenses to career musicians and music industry professionals. To donate, visit https://www.sweetrelief.org/general-fund.html. ======================= Official Show Announcement: Sweet Relief Musicians Fund has announced their annual benefit concert, celebrating the legacy of legendary blues musician Taj Mahal, on February 21, at Masonic Auditorium in San Francisco. Confirmed performers include Van Morrison, Stevie Van Zandt, George Thorogood, Mike Campbell, Patty Griffin, Jim Lauderdale, Will Hoge, Joe Henry, Ruby Amanfu, Bobby Rush, and Taj Mahal with surprise guests and additional performers to be announced shortly. Taj Mahal is an influential American blues musician whose career has spanned more than five decades, marked by a deep exploration of roots music from around the world. Emerging in the late 1960s, he helped redefine the blues by blending it with Caribbean, African, Hawaiian, and Latin influences, long before such fusion became common. His early albums, including Taj Mahal and The Natch’l Blues, set the tone for a career built on innovation, soulful vocals, and masterful multi-instrumentalism. Over the years, he has collaborated widely, earned multiple Grammy Awards, and become a revered figure for preserving tradition while expanding its boundaries. Taj Mahal’s work continues to inspire new generations of artists and listeners drawn to his global, joyful approach to the blues. “Thrilled to be honored by Sweet Relief and to celebrate with good feeling music," Taj Mahal shares, and continues, "Thank you Sweet Relief for all that you do and for bringing us together.” Aric Steinberg, Executive Director at Sweet Relief Musicians Fund adds, “What an incredible way to celebrate 32 years of Sweet Relief, by honoring the legendary Taj Mahal! This celebration is long overdue for such an acclaimed artist, and we are so grateful that he’s allowing us to bring these amazing artists together to bring the house down on February 21st." The February event is part of an ongoing series of shows presented by Sweet Relief Musicians Fund. It serves as a follow-up to 2025’s event celebrating Joan Baez which featured performances by Bonnie Raitt, Emmylou Harris, Joe Henry, Lucinda Williams, Margo Price, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Rosanne Cash, Taj Mahal, Tom Morello + special guests. Sweet Relief Musicians Fund provides services and financial assistance for career musicians and music industry professionals. Grants are earmarked for medical and vital living expenses, including insurance premiums, prescriptions, medical treatment and operative procedures, housing costs, food costs, utilities, and other basic necessities. =========================== Midnight Special lyrics: Well, you wake up in the mornin' You hear the work bell ring And they march you to the table You see the same old thing Ain't no food upon the table And no pork up in the pan But you better not complain, boy You get in trouble with the man Let the Midnight Special shine a light on me (x3) Let the Midnight Special shine a ever lovin' light on me Yonder come Miss Rosie How in the world did you know? By the way she wears her apron And the clothes she wore Umbrella on her shoulder Piece of paper in her hand She come to see the gov'nor She want to free her man, oh Let the Midnight Special shine a light on me (x3) Let the Midnight Special shine a ever lovin' light on me If you're ever in Houston Well, you better do right You better not gamble There, you better not fight, at all Or the sheriff will grab ya And the boys will bring you down The next thing you know, boy Whoa, you're prison bound =================== #georgethorogood #sweetrelief #live #music #livemusic #concert #concertvideo #liveinconcert #charityshow #charityconcert #blues #bluessong #bluesmusic #bluesmusician #bluesvocals #bluessinger #bluesguitar #bluesguitarsolo #sanfrancisco #sanfranciscomusic