ZZ Top (# 023)

ZZ Top (S2-E8)

Inside Rock and the JabberGuys look back at the iconic ZZ Top. The recent passing of one of the trio’s original members makes this a special tribute to “that little ol’ band from Texas”

• Listen to the playlist on SPOTIFY

Recent passing of Dusty Hill
ZZ Top has been performing for over 50 years with the original trio of members
Billy Gibbons, Frank Beard, and Dusty Hill

The band’s long-time technician, Elwood Frances, will replace Dusty Hill.

ZZ Top’s name was influenced by BB King’s name and blues posters

First Album: ZZ Top’s First Album (1971)

(1972) Rio Grande Mud - “Francine", first charting single

(1973) Tres Hombres - reaches #8 on the Billboard Top 200
La Grange, Jesus Just Left Chicago, Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers, Waitin’ for the Bus

(1974) Worldwide Texas Tour - “Texas Circus”

(1975) Fandango
Mexican Blackbird, Hear It on the X, Tush

(1976) Tejas
Arrested for Driving While Blind, It’s Only Love

Hiatus - 1976 to 1979

Dusty and Gibbons grow beards. The only band member without a beard now is Frank Beard.

Dusty takes a job at Dallas/Fortworth airport during the break

Producer - Bill Ham

The band and a new technician send Bill Ham for some bbq so they could do some overdubbing

(1983) The Eliminator Album and the 1933 Ford
Their biggest commercial success
Gimme All Your Lovin’, Legs, Sharp Dressed Man
Legs: Spinning fur guitars

Getting prepped for opening for the Rolling Stones in Hawaii
Getting around the 2 drink maximum

(2004) Keith Richards inducts ZZ Top into the Rock Hall of Fame

MTV helped launch ZZ Top into the 80s

Deguello (1979)
I Thank You, Cheap Sunglasses

El Loco (1981)
Tube Snake Boogie, Pearl Necklace, Party on the Patio

Afterburner (1985)
Sleeping bag, Velcro Fly

(1984) Gillette offers ZZ Top $1 million to shave off their beards for a commercial ... “Nope”

(1990) Back to the Future III appearances (Doubleback)

Tragedy hits Bill Ham (1991), murder of his wife Cecile Ham

(1997) ZZ Top appear at the Superbowl halftime show
ZZ Top Documentary
Listen to the playlist on SPOTIFY

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