George Thorogood proves age is nothing but a number. The 60-year-old front man of George Thorogood & The Destroyers has been enjoying the rock scene for the past 30 years, and he doesn't plan to give it up- just one more reason this guy really is bad to the bone.

He calls on a Wednesday afternoon and his deep, husky voice is serious yet comical. There's something in his tone that reads "seasoned rocker" even if you didn't know that he's enjoyed the success of certified gold albums and the rare opportunity to share a stage with The Rolling Stones. This is a man who just doesn't quit.

"You gotta pay your bills ... You know? The price of oil keeps going up. And I'm still five years away from retirement," Thorogood said.

Then he gets serious.

"The passion is at an all-time high, there would be no point in stopping now," he said. "You don't close the restaurant when it's packed."

George Thorogood & The Destroyers Frederik Meijer Gardens, Grand Rapids Aug. 15, 7 p.m. $47 meijergardens.org (616) 957-1580

George Thorogood & The Destroyers released The Dirty Dozen in 2009, which marks the band's 12th album. Well, sort of.

"It's 12 and a half, I think," Thorogood said. "Leave it to us to do something half-ass."

Although the band's discography spans from 1977 to 2009 and includes hits such as "Madison Blues," "Bad to the Bone," and "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer," during live shows, audiences hear more than just the hits.

"I don't think we've got to the point yet where we can lean on our catalogue live," he said. "That day may come, but in the meantime, to keep the machine going you have to have three or four new songs to keep the show going."

Thorogood and The Destroyers next take the stage Aug. 15 for the Frederik Meijer Gardens Summer Concert Series, a string of shows that has already sold out the 1750-seat amphitheater seven times.

Amy Sawade of Meijer Gardens attributes the sellout crowds to the intimate atmosphere and prominent names who grace the stage. She also mentions Thorogood's dynamic stage persona.

"George's show at Meijer Gardens stemmed from really great past performances he's had here," she said. "The crowd loves him, he puts on an entertaining show, and we're happy to have him back."

And by the way, if Thorogood wants you to remember something, it's this: "Rock and roll never sleeps, it just passes out."