Jump to content

ZZ Top

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

ZZ Top
ZZ Top performing in at Tons of Rock 2024. From left: Elwood Francis, Frank Beard, Billy Gibbons
ZZ Top performing in at Tons of Rock 2024. From left: Elwood Francis,Frank Beard,Billy Gibbons
Background information
OriginHouston, Texas,U.S.
Genres
DiscographyZZ Top discography
Years active1969–present
Labels
Spinoff of
Members
Past members
  • Lanier Greig
  • Dan Mitchell
  • Billy Ethridge
  • Dusty Hill
Websitezztop

ZZ Top[a]is an American rock band formed inHouston, Texas,in 1969. For 51 years, it consisted of vocalist-guitaristBilly Gibbons,drummerFrank Beardand bassist-vocalistDusty Hill,until Hill's death in 2021. ZZ Top developed a signature sound based on Gibbons'bluesstyle and Hill and Beard'srhythm section.They are known for their live performances, sly and humorous lyrics, and the matching appearances of Gibbons and Hill, who wore sunglasses, hats and long beards.

ZZ Top formed after Gibbons' previous band,Moving Sidewalks,disbanded in 1969. Within a year, they signed withLondon Recordsand releasedZZ Top's First Albumin 1971. Subsequent releases, such asTres Hombres(1973) andFandango!(1975), and the singles "La Grange"and"Tush",gained extensive radioairplay.By the mid-1970s, ZZ Top had become renowned in North America for their live act, including theWorldwide Texas Tour(1976–1977), which was a critical and commercial success.

After a brief hiatus, ZZ Top returned in 1979 with a new musical direction and image, with Gibbons and Hill wearing sunglasses and matching chest-length beards. With the albumEl Loco(1981), they began to experiment withsynthesizersanddrum machines.They established a more mainstream sound and rose to international stardom withEliminator(1983) andAfterburner(1985), which integrated influences fromnew wave,punk,anddance-rock.The popularity of these albums' music videos, including those for "Gimme All Your Lovin'","Sharp Dressed Man",and"Legs",gave them mass exposure on television channelMTVand made them prominent artists in 1980spop culture.TheAfterburnertour set records for the highest-attended and highest-grossing concert tour of 1986.

After gaining additional acclaim with the release of their tenth album,Recycler(1990), and itsaccompanying tour,the group's experimentation continued with mixed success on the albumsAntenna(1994),Rhythmeen(1996),XXX(1999), andMescalero(2003). They most recently releasedLa Futura(2012) andGoin' 50(2019), a compilation album commemorating the band's 50th anniversary. By the time of Hill's death in 2021, ZZ Top had become the longest-running band with an unchanged lineup in the history of popular music.[1]Per Hill's wishes, he was replaced by their longtimeguitar tech,Elwood Francis, on bass.

ZZ Top has released 15 studio albums and sold an estimated 50 million records worldwide.[2][3]They have won threeMTV Video Music Awards,and in 2004, the members were inducted into theRock and Roll Hall of Fame.In 2015,Rolling Stoneranked Gibbons the 32nd-greatest guitarist of all time.[4]The band members have supported campaigns and charities includingChildline,St. Jude Children's Research Hospital,and a fundraiser for theDelta Blues Museum.

History

[edit]

Early years (1969–1972)

[edit]

The original line-up was formed inHoustonand consisted of Gibbons, bassist/organist Lanier Greig,[5]and drummer Dan Mitchell.[5]The name of the band was Gibbons' idea. The band had a small apartment covered with concert posters and he noticed that many performers' names used initials. Gibbons particularly noticedB.B. KingandZ. Z. Hilland thought of combining the two into "ZZ King", but considered it too similar to the original name. He then figured that "king is at the top" which gave him the idea of naming the band "ZZ Top".[6]

ZZ Top was managed byBill Ham,aWaxahachie, Texas,native who had befriended Gibbons a year earlier. They released their first single, "Salt Lick", in 1969, and the B-side contained the song "Miller's Farm". Both songs credited Gibbons as the composer. Immediately after the recording of "Salt Lick", Greig was replaced by bassist Billy Ethridge, a bandmate ofStevie Ray Vaughan,and Mitchell was replaced byFrank BeardofAmerican Blues.Due to lack of interest from the major American record companies, ZZ Top accepted a record deal fromLondon Records,the American affiliate of the BritishDecca Recordslabel. Unwilling to sign a recording contract, Ethridge quit the band andDusty Hill,Frank Beard's American Blues bandmate, became his replacement in late 1969. At this moment, all three members of the band were 20 years old. After Hill moved from Dallas to Houston, ZZ Top signed with London in 1970. They performed their first concert together at a Knights of Columbus Hall inBeaumont, Texas,on February 10, 1970. The show was booked byKLVIradio personality Al Caldwell, who was also instrumental in broadcasting the band's first recordings.[7]

In addition to assuming the role as the band's leader, Gibbons became the main lyricist and musical arranger. With the assistance of Ham and engineer Robin Hood Brians,ZZ Top's First Album(1971) was released. It featured "barrelhouse" rhythms, distorted guitars, double entendres, and innuendo. The music and songs reflected ZZ Top's blues influences. Following their debut album, the band releasedRio Grande Mud(1972), which produced their first charting single, "Francine".[8]

First decade of success and signature sound (1973–1982)

[edit]
ZZ Top performing live in 1976

ZZ Top releasedTres Hombresin 1973, which reached the No. 8 position on theBillboard 200albums chart by early 1974. The album's sound was the result of the propulsive support provided by Hill and Beard, and Gibbons' "growling" guitar tone. Stephen Thomas Erlewine wrote that the album "brought ZZ Top their first Top Ten record, making them stars in the process".[9]The album included the boogie-driven "La Grange"(written about theChicken Ranch,a notoriousbrothelinLa Grange, Texas,that also inspired the musicalThe Best Little Whorehouse in Texas). On the subsequent tour, the band performed sold-out concerts in the US. During this tour, ZZ Top recorded the live tracks that would fill one side of their 1975 album,Fandango!.Fandango!,which also contained one side of new studio songs, was a top-ten album; its single "Tush"peaked at number 20 on theBillboardHot 100.

ZZ Top began theWorldwide Texas Tourin May 1976 to supportFandango!,and the tour continued through 1977 with 98 shows over 18 months.[10]Tejas,recorded during a break in the tour and released in November 1976, was the final ZZ Top album under their contract with London Records. It was not as successful or as positively received as their previous two efforts, but reached number 17 on theBillboard200.[11]The singles fromTejas,"It's Only Love"and"Arrested for Driving While Blind",both failed to crack the Top 40 on theBillboardHot 100.

In 1978, after almost seven years of touring and a string of successful albums, ZZ Top went on hiatus while Beard dealt with addiction problems. Gibbons traveled to Europe, Beard went to Jamaica, and Hill went to Mexico.[12]Hill also spent 3 months working atDFW Airport,saying he wanted to "feel normal" and "ground himself" after years spent performing.[13]In 1979, ZZ Top returned to record a new album. Gibbons and Hill were now sporting chest-length beards. ZZ Top signed withWarner Bros. Recordsand released the albumDegüelloin late 1979.

WhileDegüellowent platinum, it only reached number 24 on theBillboardchart.[14]The album produced two popular singles: "I Thank You",a cover of theDavid Porter/Isaac Hayescomposition originally recorded bySam & Dave,and the band original "Cheap Sunglasses".The band remained a popular concert attraction and toured in support ofDegüello.In April 1980, ZZ Top made their first appearances in Europe, performing for the German music television showRockpalast(later included on the 2009 DVDDouble Down Live: 1980 & 2008)[15]and theBBCshowThe Old Grey Whistle Test.[16]The band shared the BBC's studio with EnglishelectronicgroupOrchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark(OMD), whom Gibbons felt "were great".[17]Inspired by OMD, ZZ Top introduced a jerky dancing style to their live show and began to experiment withsynthesizers,[18][19]which featured prominently on the October 1981 albumEl Loco.[20]The album peaked at number 17 on theBillboardchart, and featured the singles "Tube Snake Boogie","Pearl Necklace",and" Leila ".[21]Their albums from this period showed a more modern sound.[22]

Eliminator(1983)

[edit]
Hill and Gibbons in 1983

Gibbons pushed ZZ Top in a more modern direction forEliminator,released in March 1983. It featured two Top-40 singles ( "Gimme All Your Lovin'"and"Legs"), and two additionalTop Rockhits ( "Got Me Under Pressure"and"Sharp Dressed Man"), with the extended dance mix of" Legs "peaking at number 13 on theClub Play Singleschart.[23]The album became a critical and commercial success, selling more than 10 million copies and reaching No. 9 in the U.S.Billboardpop charts. It is the only ZZ Top album to becertified diamond.[24]

Several music videos from the album were in regular rotation on MTV, attracting many new fans. The band won their firstMTV Video Music Awardsin the categories ofBest Group Videofor "Legs", andBest Directionfor "Sharp Dressed Man". The music videos were included in theirGreatest Hitsvideo, which was later released on DVD and quickly went multi-platinum.[24]

Eliminatorretained Gibbons's signature guitar style while adding elements ofnew wave music;the electronic bandDepeche Modewere cited as an influence.[25]To compose the songs, Gibbons worked closely with live-in engineer Linden Hudson at the band's rehearsal studio in Texas, setting a fastertempowithdrum machinesandsynthesizers.The main recording sessions were again supervised in Memphis byTerry Manningwho collaborated with Gibbons to replace much of the contributions from Hill and Beard.[26]Jimi Jamisonjoined Manning to provide backing vocals.[27]

Stage manager David Blayney described how Hudson co-wrote much of the material on the album without receiving credit. The band recorded Hudson's song "Thug" without permission, finally paying him $600,000 in 1986 after he proved in court he held the copyright.[26][28][29][30]The band had previously used other people's work without credit; for instance, in 1972 ZZ Top claimed sole writing credit for the hit song "Francine"from the albumRio Grande Mud,cutting out two co-writers, Steve Perron andKenny Cordray.Hudson's extensive contributions to the song "Groovy Little Hippie Pad" went uncredited in 1981 for the albumEl Loco.[31]

AfterburnerandRecycler(1985–1991)

[edit]

Despite selling fewer copies thanEliminator,Afterburner(1985) became ZZ Top's highest-charting album (No. 4 on the U.S.Billboardchart),[32]with sales of five million copies.[24]All of the singles fromAfterburnerwere Top-40 hits, with "Sleeping Bag" and "Stages" topping the Mainstream Rock chart.[32]The music video for "Velcro Fly",their final Top 40 hit on theBillboardHot 100, was choreographed by future pop singerPaula Abdul.[33]In 1987, ZZ Top releasedThe Six Pack,a collection of their first five albums plusEl Loco.The albums were remixed with new drum and guitar effects for a more "contemporary" sound similar toEliminator.[34]

Recycler,released in 1990, was ZZ Top's final studio album with Warner Records and the last of a distinct sonic trilogy in their catalogue, marking a return towards a simpler guitar-driven blues sound with less synthesizer and pop bounce than their previous two albums. This move did not entirely suit the fan base thatEliminatorandAfterburnerhad built up, and whileRecyclerdid achieve platinum status, it never matched the sales of those albums. However, the single "My Head's in Mississippi"reached No. 1 on theBillboardAlbum Rock Trackschart that year.[35]

Return to guitar-driven sound (1992–2003)

[edit]

In 1992, Warner releasedZZ Top's Greatest Hits,along with a newRolling Stones-style cut, "Gun Love", and anElvis-inflected video, "Viva Las Vegas".In 1993, ZZ Top inducted a major influence,Cream,into theRock and Roll Hall of Fame.

In 1994, the band signed a $35 million deal withRCA Records,[36]releasing the million-sellingAntenna.Subsequent RCA albums,Rhythmeen(1996) and 1999'sXXX(the second album to feature live tracks) sold well, but did not reach the levels enjoyed previously. In 2003, ZZ Top released a final RCA album,Mescalero,an album thick with harsh Gibbons guitar and featuring ahidden track—a cover version of "As Time Goes By."RCA impresario Clive Davis wanted to do a collaboration record (in the mode ofCarlos Santana's successfulSupernatural) for this album. In an interview inGoldminemagazine, Davis stated that artistsPink,Dave Matthews,andWilcowere among the artists slated for the project. ZZ Top performed "Tush" and "Legs" as part of theSuper Bowl XXXI halftime showin 1997.

A comprehensive four-CD collection of recordings from the London and Warner Bros. years,Chrome, Smoke & BBQ,was released in 2003. It featured the band's first single (A- and B-side) and several rare B-side tracks, as well as a radio promotion from 1979, a live track, and several extended dance-mix versions of their biggest MTV hits. Three tracks from Billy Gibbons' pre-ZZ band, theMoving Sidewalks,were also included.

Critical acclaim and retrospective releases (2004–2011)

[edit]
ZZ Top at theCrossroads Guitar Festival,on June 26, 2010

In 2004, ZZ Top was inducted into theRock and Roll Hall of Fame.Keith Richardsofthe Rolling Stonesgave the induction speech. ZZ Top gave a brief performance, playing "La Grange" and "Tush".

Hill and Gibbons performing at Puistoblues inJärvenpää,Finland,on July 4, 2010

In 2006Tres HombresandFandango!received releases of expanded and remastered versions, which used the original mixes free from echo and drum machines and included additional bonus live tracks.

TheEliminator Collector's EditionCD/DVD, celebrating the 25th anniversary of the band's iconic RIAA Diamond Certified album, was released September 10, 2008. The release includes seven bonus tracks and a bonus DVD, including four television performances fromThe Tubein November 1983.[37]

The band performed at the 2009Houston Livestock Show and Rodeoon the final night on March 22, 2009. In July, the band appeared onVH1'sStorytellers,in celebration of their four decades as recording artists.[38]

La Futura(2012–2020)

[edit]
ZZ Top at theAlamodomein San Antonio, Texas, November 7, 2013
ZZ Top performing at theMajestic Theatrein San Antonio in 2015

Billy Gibbons stated in an interview in August 2011 that a new album had been recorded, with initial recording taking place inMalibu, California,before moving to Houston, but was still unnamed and had yet to be mixed and mastered.[39]Gibbons said that the expected release date was sometime in March or April 2012 but, later, a late summer or early fall release date was announced.[39]The album was subsequently released on September 11, 2012.[40]

EntitledLa Futura,the album was produced byRick Rubin.[41][42]The first single from the album, "I Gotsta Get Paid", debuted in an advertising campaign forJeremiah Weed Whiskeyand appears on the soundtrack of the filmBattleship.[43]The song itself is an interpretation of "25 Lighters" by Texan hip hop DJ DMD and rappersLil' KekeandFat Pat.[44]The first four songs fromLa Futuradebuted on June 5, 2012, on an EP calledTexicali.[45]DJ Screwwas a major influence on the album as well, particularly because Gibbons and Screw both worked with engineer G. L. Moon during the late 1990s.[46]

On March 3, 2015, ZZ Top began a North American tour inRed Bank, New Jersey,at the Count Basie Theatre. After rescheduled dates and additions, the tour ended inHighland Park, Illinois,at theRavinia Festivalon August 27, with the opening actBlackberry Smoke.Jeff Beckjoined ZZ Top for seven concerts.[47][48]

On September 9, 2016, ZZ Top releasedTonite at Midnight: Live Greatest Hits from Around the World.In 2017, they began the2017 Tonnage Tour,[49]but canceled the last few dates due to Hill's declining health.[50]In 2018, the band announced their six-day Las Vegas run of shows to be held atthe Venetian,starting from April 20, 2019.[51]Gibbons toldLas Vegas Review-Journalin April 2020 that ZZ Top had been preparing another album.[52]On June 21, 2020, Gibbons stated interest in having Beck appear.[53]

Hill's death and upcoming album (2021–present)

[edit]

In July 2021, Hill was forced to leave a tour after a hip injury. ZZ Top performed without him at the Village Commons inNew Lenox, Illinois,with Hill'sguitar techElwood Francis on bass.[54]Five days later, on July 28, ZZ Top announced that Hill had died at his home in Houston at the age of 72.[55]His wife later reported that he had suffered from chronicbursitis.[56]At Hill's request, ZZ Top continued with Francis on bass.[54]In August 2021, Gibbons confirmed that Hill had recorded bass and vocals for the band's upcoming sixteenth studio album.[57]

On July 22, 2022, ZZ Top releasedRaw,the soundtrack for the band's 2019 documentaryThat Little Ol' Band from Texas,viaShelter Records/BMG.It was one of their final live albums with Hill.[58]On July 21, 2023, ZZ Top began a tour withLynyrd Skynyrd,the Sharp Dressed Simple Man Tour, inWest Palm Beach,which concluded on September 17 inCamden.[citation needed]A second leg of the tour began in March 2024 inSavannah, Georgia,and is due to end on September 22 inRidgefield, Washington.[59]On March 2, 2024 inKey West,ZZ Top embarked on the Elevation tour due to continue through November 24, 2024 inLubbock.[60]

Other appearances

[edit]
ZZ Top Eliminator at theRock and Roll Hall of Fame,2010

ZZ Top appeared in a cameo inBack to the Future Part IIIas anOld Westband, playing an acoustic version of their song "Doubleback"with a large fiddle band.[61]

ZZ Top playedSuper Bowl XXXIin 1997, along withthe Blues BrothersandJames Brown.[62]They also performed at the 2008Orange Bowlgame inMiami,as well as theAuto Club 500NASCARevent at theAuto Club SpeedwayinFontana, California.On June 23, 2008, the band celebrated the release of their first live concert DVD titledLive from Texaswith the world premiere, a special appearance, and charity auction at theHard Rock Cafein Houston.[63]The DVD was officially released on June 24, 2008. The featured performance was culled from a concert filmed at the Nokia Theater inGrand Prairie, Texas,on November 1, 2007.

On January 22, 2010, Billy Gibbons,Will Ferrell,andBeckjoined a band playingLynyrd Skynyrd's "Free Bird"onConan O'Brien's lastTonight Showappearance. O'Brien joined in on guitar.[64]

In June 2011, various media sources reported that the new song "Flyin' High" would debut in space. Astronaut and friend of ZZ TopMichael Fossumwas given the released single to listen to on his trip to theInternational Space Station.[65][66]

On June 4, 2014, ZZ Top opened theCMT Awardsceremony, performing "La Grange" withLuke BryanandFlorida Georgia Line.

Musical style

[edit]

The Guardiandescribed ZZ Top as "part traditional, part contrary, and part of the deep seam of Texas weirdness that stretched from the13th Floor Elevatorsthrough to theButthole Surfers".[67]Texas Monthlydescribed their music as "loud, macho, greasy, and distorted", with "unrepentant misogynistic references".[68]In the early 1980s, ZZ Top embracedsynthesizersanddrum machines,drawing inspiration from Britishelectronicacts such asOrchestral Manoeuvres in the DarkandDepeche Mode(while deriving their dance moves from the former).[18][69]Hill and Gibbons worked as a kind ofdouble act,looking similar and employing simple stage choreography that Hill described as "low-energy, high-impact".[67]

ZZ Top's music has been classified asblues rock,[70][71][72][73]hard rock,[74][75][76]boogie rock,[77][78]Southern rock,[79][80]blues,[76][81]andTexas blues.[82]

Drug use

[edit]

Beard struggled with addiction in the 1970s, claiming to have spent "every bit" of his money earned from ZZ Top's tours on drugs. Beard explains that he had different reasons for taking different drugs, saying "the pills thing came about just from the workload. And the heroin thing came about because I just liked it. I mean, you ever done heroin? It's great. It's a fucking vacation for the mind, and I liked it. I liked it a lot." Beard would eventually enter rehab in the 1980s and is sober to this day.[83]

Hill would "[occasionally] partake" in marijuana until one occasion in a hotel inAmsterdamwhen Hill was smoking marijuana with guitar tech Elwood Francis and Francis noticed that there was a metal bar embedded into the window frame of the hotel room. Francis, seeing an opportunity for a prank, jumped out the window and (unbeknownst to Hill) grabbed onto the metal bar, making it appear that he had committed suicide. Hill apparently never smoked marijuana again after the incident.[84]

Band members

[edit]

Timeline

Discography

[edit]
Main article:ZZ Top discography

Studio albums

Filmography

[edit]

In addition to recording and performing concerts, ZZ Top has also been involved with films and television. In the eighth episode "Sweet Dreams" in thethird seasonof the American televisionmedical dramaSt. Elsewhere,[86]Luther Hawkins's (Eric Laneuville) dream sequence was a parody of the music video "Legs"with the group while taking a brief nap in a janitor's closet;[87][88]In 1990, the group appeared as the "Band At the Party" in the filmBack to the Future Part III[89]and played the "Three Men in a Tub" in the movieMother Goose Rock 'n' Rhyme.[90]ZZ Top made further appearances, including the "Gumby with a Pokey" episode ofTwo and a Half Menin 2010[91]and the "Hank Gets Dusted"episode ofKing of the Hillin 2007.[92]The band alsoguest hostedan episode ofWWE Raw.[93]Billy Gibbons had a recurring role as the father ofAngela Montenegroin the television showBones;though the character is never named, it is strongly implied that Gibbons is playing himself.[94]Their song "Sharp Dressed Man" was one of the theme songs used for the television showDuck Dynasty,and on the series finale of the show they appeared withSi Robertsonas a vocalist to perform the song on stage during Robertson's retirement party.[95]Black Dahlia Films, led by Jamie Burton Chamberlin, ofSeattleandLos Angeles,has contributed documentaries andback line screenwork (the footage on back screens during live shows) and has become an integral part of the band's film-making.[96][97]

In November 2020, it was announced that the 2019NetflixdocumentaryThat Little Ol' Band from Texaswas nominated for theGrammy Award for Best Music Filmwith the award ceremony scheduled for March 2021.[98]

Awards and achievements

[edit]

ZZ Top's music videos won multipleVMAawards during the 1980s, topping the categories ofBest Group Video,Best Direction,andBest Art Directionfor "Legs", "Sharp Dressed Man" and "Rough Boy",respectively.[99]Among high honors for ZZ Top have been induction intoHollywood's RockWalkin 1994,[100]theTexas House of Representativesnaming them "Official Heroes for the State of Texas",[101]a declaration of "ZZ Top Day" in Texas by then-governorAnn Richardson May 4, 1991,[102]and induction into theRock and Roll Hall of Famein 2004. They were also given commemorative rings by actorBilly Bob Thorntonfrom theVH1 Rock Honorsin 2007.[36]

ZZ Top has also achieved several chart and album sales feats, including six number-one singles on theMainstream Rock chart.From theRIAA,ZZ Top has earned four gold, three platinum and two multiple-platinum album certifications, and one diamond album.[24]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^Pronounced "Zee Zee Top".

References

[edit]
  1. ^Milano, Brett (August 10, 2021)."Oldest Bands in Music: Acts That Defy the Laws of Age and Time".uDiscover Music.RetrievedAugust 20,2021.
  2. ^Falcon, Gabriel (July 21, 2019)."ZZ Top: After 50 years they've still got legs".CBS News.RetrievedMarch 4,2020.
  3. ^Blackstock, Peter (May 15, 2019)."ZZ Top at 50: Billy Gibbons takes us back to the beginning".Austin American-Statesman.RetrievedMay 15,2019.
  4. ^"100 Greatest Guitarists".Rolling Stone.December 8, 2015.RetrievedMarch 4,2020.
  5. ^abDansby, Andrew (February 16, 2013)."Greig, early ZZ Top member, dies at 64".Houston Chronicle.RetrievedJuly 28,2014.
  6. ^"Uncle Joe Benson – The Story: ZZ Top 9-11-15 The Stor".SoundCloud.Archived fromthe originalon October 7, 2015.RetrievedSeptember 13,2015.
  7. ^Hlavaty, Craig (February 10, 2020)."ZZ Top played its first show together 50 years ago".houstonchronicle.RetrievedMay 25,2022.
  8. ^Wilkening, Matthew (April 4, 2015)."Revisiting ZZ Top's Second Album, 'Rio Grande Mud'".Ultimate Classic Rock.RetrievedJune 5,2019.
  9. ^Woodstra, Chris; Bush, John; Erlewine, Stephen Thomas (2007).All Music Guide Required Listening: Classic Rock.Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 256.ISBN978-0-87930-917-6.
  10. ^Moreno, Ricky (October 22, 2020)."Live Rattlesnakes and Rock n' Roll: The Story of ZZ Top's" Worldwide Texas Tour "".stmuscholars.RetrievedMay 25,2022.
  11. ^"Tejas – Awards".AllMusic.RetrievedJuly 28,2014.
  12. ^di Perna, Alan (July 2, 2008)."ZZ Top: Cars, Guitars, & Three Unlikely Rock Stars".Guitar World.Archived fromthe originalon October 30, 2008.
  13. ^Lifton, Dave (August 31, 2019)."Why Dusty Hill Spent ZZ Top's '70s Hiatus Working at an Airport".Ultimate Classic Rock.Archivedfrom the original on July 30, 2021.RetrievedJuly 30,2021.
  14. ^"Degüello – Awards".AllMusic.RetrievedJuly 28,2014.
  15. ^Pinfold, William (January 15, 2010)."Double Down Live 1980/2008 – ZZ Top".Record Collector.No. 372.RetrievedMay 3,2022.
  16. ^"ZZ Top - Old Grey Whistle Test Session (1980)".BBC Radio 2.April 1980.RetrievedOctober 11,2021.
  17. ^West, Mike (1982).Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark.Omnibus Press.pp. 19, 42.ISBN0-7119-0149-X.
  18. ^abSimmons, Sylvie(July 1–15, 1982). "Over the Top!".Kerrang!.No. 19. p. 6.[Billy Gibbons:] We steal our [dance] moves heavily off Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark.
  19. ^Breihan, Tom (July 28, 2021)."ZZ Top's Dusty Hill Dead at 72".Stereogum.Archivedfrom the original on July 28, 2021.RetrievedAugust 22,2021.
  20. ^Bosso, Joe (June 3, 2013)."Billy Gibbons talks ZZ Top: The Complete Studio Albums (1970-1990)".MusicRadar.Archived fromthe originalon July 12, 2014.RetrievedOctober 30,2020.
  21. ^"El Loco – Awards".AllMusic.RetrievedJuly 28,2014.
  22. ^Erlewine, Stephen Thomas(July 28, 2021)."ZZ Top bassist Dusty Hill dies at 72".Los Angeles Times.RetrievedAugust 22,2021.
  23. ^"Eliminator – Awards".AllMusic.RetrievedJuly 28,2013.
  24. ^abcd"Gold & Platinum – ZZ Top".Recording Industry Association of America.RetrievedAugust 22,2021.
  25. ^Fricke, David(November 10, 2015)."Billy Gibbons: My Life in 15 Songs".Rolling Stone.RetrievedNovember 1,2020.
  26. ^abBlayney, David (1994).Sharp Dressed Men.New York:Hyperion.pp. 196–203.ISBN0-7868-8005-8.
  27. ^McCracken, Mitch (November 20, 2009)."Where are they now: Jimi Jamison of Survivor".The Sun Times.Archived fromthe originalon April 4, 2019.RetrievedOctober 31,2020.
  28. ^Frost, Deborah (1985).ZZ Top - Bad and Worldwide.New York: Rolling Stone Press. pp. 103, 106–107, 115.ISBN0020029500.
  29. ^Sinclair, David (1986).Tres Hombres: The Story of ZZ Top.Virgin.p. 76.ISBN0-86369-167-6.
  30. ^Staff (March 1987)."Who Writes the Songs?".Texas Monthly.Vol. 15, no. 3. p. 82.
  31. ^Scott, Grace (June 2023)."Beard Science".Creem.pp. 52–59.RetrievedOctober 23,2023.
  32. ^ab"Afterburner – Awards".AllMusic.RetrievedJuly 28,2013.
  33. ^"Paula Abdul – Times Topics".The New York Times.August 5, 2009.RetrievedDecember 19,2010.
  34. ^Erlewine, Stephen Thomas."ZZ Top – Six Pack".AllMusic.RetrievedAugust 22,2021.
  35. ^"Mainstream Rock: Dec 08, 1990".Billboard.November 28, 2013.RetrievedJuly 21,2019.
  36. ^ab"VH1 Rock Honors 2007 – Honorees".VH1.2007. Archived fromthe originalon July 3, 2012.RetrievedDecember 19,2010.
  37. ^""Eliminator" Reissue Coming March 25th! ".ZZtop.January 14, 2008. Archived fromthe originalon July 18, 2011.
  38. ^"VH1 to Premiere ZZ Top" Storytellers ""(Press release).AHN.June 10, 2009. Archived fromthe originalon July 25, 2011.RetrievedDecember 18,2010.
  39. ^ab"ZZ Top 'Sowing and Stitching Away' at New Album, Says Billy Gibbons".Ultimate Classic Rock.August 23, 2011.Archivedfrom the original on December 25, 2011.RetrievedSeptember 22,2011.
  40. ^"La Futura Arrives This September from ZZ Top".ZZtop.August 3, 2012. Archived fromthe originalon October 14, 2012.
  41. ^Fricke, David; Helton, Eric; Murphy, Matthew (November 29, 2011)."Billy Gibbons on the band's next album".Rolling Stone.RetrievedJuly 28,2014.
  42. ^"La Futura by ZZ Top".MP396. September 13, 2012. Archived fromthe originalon December 28, 2013.RetrievedJuly 28,2014.
  43. ^"Battleship (2012) – Soundtracks".Internet Movie Database.RetrievedJuly 28,2014.
  44. ^Giles, Jeff (May 30, 2012)."ZZ Top's New Single Based on '90s Rap Song".Ultimate Classic Rock.RetrievedJuly 28,2014.
  45. ^"Release Day!".ZZtop.Archived fromthe originalon July 29, 2014.RetrievedJuly 7,2012.
  46. ^Ratliff, Ben (September 6, 2012)."Traveling at the Speed of Molasses".The New York Times.RetrievedJuly 28,2014.
  47. ^"ZZ Top 2015 North American Tour Schedule with Jeff Beck & Blackberry Smoke".Zz-top.concerttournewshub.Archived fromthe originalon October 6, 2015.RetrievedMarch 29,2015.
  48. ^"Upcoming Tour Dates".Zztop.RetrievedMarch 29,2015.
  49. ^Giles, Jeff (October 25, 2016)."ZZ Top Announce 2017 'Tonnage' Tour".Ultimate Classic Rock.RetrievedOctober 1,2018.
  50. ^Wilkening, Matthew (October 17, 2017)."ZZ Top Cancel Remaining 2017 Tour Dates".Ultimate Classic Rock.RetrievedOctober 1,2018.
  51. ^"ZZ Top returning to Venetian in 2019".KTNV-TV.September 24, 2018.RetrievedOctober 1,2018.
  52. ^Katsilometes, John (April 20, 2020)."Billy Gibbons says ZZ Top 'cooking up' new album".Las Vegas Review-Journal.RetrievedMay 9,2020.
  53. ^Kielty, Martin (June 21, 2020)."New ZZ Top Album Could Contain Song They Started 50 Years Ago".Ultimate Classic Rock.RetrievedJuly 4,2020.
  54. ^abWilkening, Matthew (July 28, 2021)."Dusty Hill Insisted ZZ Top Not Break Up Following His Death".Ultimate Classic Rock.RetrievedJuly 28,2021.
  55. ^Greene, Andy (July 28, 2021)."ZZ Top Bassist Dusty Hill Dead at 72".Rolling Stone.RetrievedJuly 28,2021.
  56. ^"Dusty Hill's Widow Thanks Fans for Their Support Following ZZ Top Bassist's Death".Blabbermouth.net.August 3, 2021.RetrievedAugust 3,2021.Early Wednesday morning my world and yours would lose a great musician and I would lose my greatest love. He woke me up and we talked and as he was sweetly chatting with me he suddenly stopped and he was gone in an instant.
  57. ^Johnson, Kevin (August 7, 2021)."Dusty Hill's Bass and Vocals Will Be on Next ZZ Top Album".No Treble.RetrievedAugust 9,2021.
  58. ^"ZZ Top Raw live album and new tour announced | Louder".Loudersound. March 8, 2022.RetrievedAugust 2,2022.
  59. ^Johnson, Kevin (November 6, 2023)."ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd Announce" Sharp Dressed Simple Man "2024 Tour Dates".No Treble.RetrievedJuly 19,2024.
  60. ^"Tour".zztop.July 2024.RetrievedJuly 22,2024.
  61. ^Greene, Andy (July 25, 2019)."Flashback: ZZ Top Visit Hill Valley in 'Back to the Future Part III'".Rolling Stone.RetrievedMay 3,2022.
  62. ^Stevenson, Doriean (January 25, 2021)."Best and worst Super Bowl halftime shows".CBS News.RetrievedMarch 5,2021.
  63. ^"Events".Hardrock.June 23, 2008. Archived fromthe originalon September 28, 2011.RetrievedOctober 2,2011.
  64. ^Rotman, Natalie (January 23, 2010)."O'Brien ends run on 'Tonight' show after 7 months"(Press release).Associated Press.Archived fromthe originalon June 2, 2017.RetrievedMay 9,2015.
  65. ^"ZZ Top Debuts New Song in Space".Ultimate Guitar.August 6, 2001.RetrievedJuly 28,2014.
  66. ^Kaufman, Spencer (June 9, 2011)."ZZ Top Premiere New Song 'Flyin' High' on Russian Spacecraft".Ultimate Classic Rock.RetrievedSeptember 30,2019.
  67. ^abHann, Michael (July 29, 2021)."Dusty Hill's voice, tone and passion for the blues lifted ZZ Top into greatness".The Guardian.RetrievedJuly 30,2021.
  68. ^Patoski, Joe Nick (December 1996)."Still ZZ After All These Years".Texas Monthly.
  69. ^Hann, Michael (November 12, 2018)."Gimme All Your Lovin' was a perfectly calibrated rock song — and was admired and covered by electronic acts".Financial Times.Archived fromthe originalon August 9, 2021.
  70. ^Koda, Cub."ZZ Top – Artist Biography".AllMusic.RetrievedJuly 28,2014.
  71. ^Bashe, Patricia; George-Warren, Holly, eds. (2001).The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll(3rd ed.).Simon & Schuster.ISBN978-0-7432-0120-9.
  72. ^Talevski, Nick (2006).Rock Obituaries – Knocking on Heaven's Door.Omnibus Press.p. 173.ISBN978-1-8460-9091-2.
  73. ^"How ZZ Top's First Album Established an Unbeatable Blues-Rock Blueprint".Dig!.January 16, 2021.RetrievedMay 3,2022.
  74. ^McPadden, Mike (2012)."ZZ Top".If You Like Metallica...Backbeat Books.ISBN9781476813578.
  75. ^Zalkind, Ronald (1980).Contemporary Music Almanac: 1980–1981(1st ed.).Schirmer Books.p. 349.
  76. ^abMyers, Marc(April 4, 2022)."ZZ Top's 'Rio Grande Mud' at 50".The Wall Street Journal.RetrievedMay 3,2022.
  77. ^Bonson, Fred (August 31, 1996). "Wea's Greatest Hits".Billboard.Vol. 108, no. 35. p. 34.ISSN0006-2510.It was the band's second album, "Tres Hombres",that established their boogie-rock credentials by peaking at No. 8 in 1974.
  78. ^Cibula, Matt (January 4, 2004)."ZZ Top: Mescalero".PopMatters.RetrievedFebruary 20,2014.
  79. ^Josh Jackson & Paste Music Staff (February 26, 2018)."The 50 Best Southern Rock Albums of All Time".Paste.Archived fromthe originalon December 6, 2019.RetrievedJune 20,2018.
  80. ^Apple, Steve (September 13, 1973)."ZZ Top: Tres Hombres".Rolling Stone.Archived fromthe originalon October 2, 2007.
  81. ^Miller, Jim (July 3, 1975)."ZZ Top: Fandango!".Rolling Stone.Archived fromthe originalon November 12, 2007.
  82. ^Hunter, James (September 22, 2012)."La Futura".Rolling Stone.RetrievedMay 3,2022.
  83. ^Kielty, Martin (February 26, 2020)."ZZ Top's Frank Beard Details '70s Heroin Addiction: 'A Regret'".Ultimate Classic Rock.RetrievedJanuary 16,2023.
  84. ^"Elwood Francis on Instagram:" So I'm in Dusty's room on the 3rd floor of a hotel in Amsterdam. It's early summer, fantastic weather outside and the windows were open. Dust didn't smoke weed but on occasion in Amsterdam, he would partake. This was one of those occasions. It was only Dusty, the TM and myself armed with a single joint. We slowly puffed a drag or 2 each and we're probably talking about Andy Griffith or something similar... just casual conversation. I walked over to the window and while looking out noticed this metal bar embedded in the concrete as part of the window frame. It was extended outside the window just below the bottom of the frame. I pulled around on the bar and checked its stability, then sat back down. After I passed the joint to Dusty on the next round, I got up and jumped out the window. They can't see that I had grabbed the rail with my hand as I was passing over it and was just hanging there like I would on monkey bars. Dusty and Pablo freaked out and jumped up not knowing what the heck to do. They ran over to the window expecting to see me splattered on the sidewalk but found me hanging there laughing. They both just remained confused about what happened while I popped back inside. Dusty didn't smoke weed anymore after that. Nor did he let me around any open windows. One of me best pranks, it was. "".Instagram.RetrievedJanuary 16,2023.
  85. ^abGiles, Jeff (February 21, 2014)."Meet the Other Three Members of ZZ Top".Ultimate Classic Rock.RetrievedSeptember 16,2017.
  86. ^"St. Elsewhere (1984) – Trivia".Internet Movie Database.RetrievedMay 27,2023.
  87. ^"St Elsewhere Luther's ZZ Top Dream".YouTube.August 26, 2011.
  88. ^O'Brien, Glenn (February 1986)."Life at the Top".Spin.Vol. 1, no. 10. p. 40.ISSN0886-3032.
  89. ^"Back to the Future Part III (1990) – Full Cast & Crew".Internet Movie Database.RetrievedJuly 28,2014.
  90. ^"Mother Goose Rock 'n' Rhyme (1990) – Full Cast & Crew".Internet Movie Database.RetrievedJuly 28,2014.
  91. ^""Two and a Half Men" Gumby with a Pokey (2010) – Full Cast & Crew ".Internet Movie Database.RetrievedJuly 28,2014.
  92. ^""King of the Hill" Hank Gets Dusted (TV episode 2007) ".Internet Movie Database. 2007.RetrievedJuly 28,2014.
  93. ^"WWF Raw Is War – Episode dated 20 July 2009".Internet Movie Database. 2009.RetrievedJuly 28,2014.
  94. ^Axmaster, Sean (March 28, 2017)."The Love Story of Bones' Booth and Brennan in 12 Episodes".Vulture.RetrievedApril 22,2017.
  95. ^"Legendary Rock Band Makes Surprise Appearance on Final Episode of 'Duck Dynasty'".Country Rebel.March 30, 2017.RetrievedApril 22,2017.
  96. ^"Black Dahlia Films + Seattle, WA".Blackdahliafilms.Archived fromthe originalon February 4, 2015.RetrievedFebruary 22,2015.
  97. ^"New ZZ Top tour features West Seattle talent".West Seattle Herald.September 7, 2012.RetrievedFebruary 22,2015.
  98. ^"Category 84: Best Music Film"(PDF).The Recording Academy.November 20, 2020. p. 53.RetrievedNovember 30,2020.
  99. ^"1986 Video Music Awards".MTV. Archived fromthe originalon September 7, 2008.RetrievedDecember 19,2010.
  100. ^"Hollywood's RockWalk – ZZ Top".Guitar Center.2007. Archived fromthe originalon March 4, 2016.RetrievedDecember 19,2010.
  101. ^Yonke, David (September 9, 2009)."ZZ Top: Rocking hard since '69".Toledo Blade.RetrievedDecember 18,2010.
  102. ^"Member News Releases"(Press release).Texas House of Representatives.September 29, 2005. Archived fromthe originalon February 20, 2011.RetrievedDecember 18,2010.

Bibliography

[edit]
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=ZZ_Top&oldid=1241910497"