ZZ Top
ZZ Top in 2008
Background information
Origin	Houston, Texas, USA
Genre(s)	Rock, Blues-rock, Hard rock
Years active	1969 – present
Label(s)	Eagle Rock Records, Rhino/WEA, RCA, Warner Bros., London
Members
Billy Gibbons Dusty Hill Frank Beard

ZZ Top (pronounced /ˌziːziːˈtɒp/) is an American hard rock band formed in 1969 in Houston, Texas. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other Rock music is a genre of Popular music often though not necessarily employing Electric guitar, Bass guitar, and Drums. Blues-rock is a hybrid musical genre combining Bluesy improvisations over the 12-bar blues and extended Boogie jams with Rock Hard rock (also referred to as heavy rock) is a variation of Rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage and Psychedelic rock In the Music industry, a record label can be a Brand and a Trademark associated with the Marketing of music recordings and Music Eagle Rock Records is one of the record labels of Eagle Rock Entertainment. Rhino Entertainment Company is an American specialty Record label and production company owned by Warner Music Group. RCA Records (originally The Victor Talking Machine Company, then RCA Victor is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. Warner Bros Records Inc is an American Record label that operates as a wholly owned Subsidiary of Warner Music Group. London Records is a Record label headquartered in the United Kingdom, originally marketing records in the United States, Canada and Latin William Frederick (Billy Gibbons (born December 16, 1949) Nicknamed the Reverend Willie G, is best known as the Guitarist for Joe Michael "Dusty" Hill (born May 19, 1949) is the bassist and vocalist with Texas Boogie-Blues-Rock group ZZ Top. This article is about the Drummer with the group ZZ Top. For the golfer, see Frank Beard. Hard rock (also referred to as heavy rock) is a variation of Rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage and Psychedelic rock The group members are Billy Gibbons (guitars, lead vocals, harmonica), Dusty Hill (bass, vocals), and Frank Beard (drums, percussion). William Frederick (Billy Gibbons (born December 16, 1949) Nicknamed the Reverend Willie G, is best known as the Guitarist for Joe Michael "Dusty" Hill (born May 19, 1949) is the bassist and vocalist with Texas Boogie-Blues-Rock group ZZ Top. This article is about the Drummer with the group ZZ Top. For the golfer, see Frank Beard.

The band holds the distinction of being among the few rock bands still composed of its original recording members for nearly 40 years^[1] and until September 2006, the same manager/producer, Bill Ham. Bill Ham (born William Mack Ham in 1937 is the former manager producer and image-maker of ZZ Top, from its inception in late 1969 until September 2006

ZZ Top reached peak commercial success in the 1970s and 1980s, scoring many hit songs during that era, but they remain together today and are still touring and releasing albums. This article is about the Decade 1970-1979 For the Year 1970 see 1970. The 1980s was the decade spanning from January 1 1980 to December 31 1989. ZZ Top was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 15, 2004. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is a Museum located on the shores of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland Ohio, United States Events 44 BC - Julius Caesar, Dictator of the Roman Republic, is stabbed to death by Marcus Junius Brutus, "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Summarizing their music, Cub Koda wrote, "As genuine roots musicians, they have few peers; Gibbons is one of America's finest blues guitarists working in the hard rock idiom . Michael "Cub" Koda ( October 1 1948 - July 1 2000) was a Rock and roll singer guitarist Songwriter, Disc Roots rock is a term recently used to describe "a style of rock music that draws material from various American musical traditions including country, Blues, and The Blues is a vocal and instrumental form of Music based on the use of the Blue notes It emerged as an accessible form of self-expression Hard rock (also referred to as heavy rock) is a variation of Rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage and Psychedelic rock An idiom is a Phrase whose meaning cannot be deduced from the literal Definition, but refers instead to a figurative meaning that is known only . . while Hill and Beard provide the ultimate rhythm section support. A rhythm section is the Musicians in a Popular music band or ensemble who establish the Rhythmic pulse of a Song or musical "^[2] Their song lyrics often feature sexual innuendo and humor. An innuendo (also called insinuation) is a remark or question typically disparaging that works obliquely by Allusion. Humour or humor (see spelling differences) is the tendency of particular cognitive experiences to provoke Laughter and provide Amusement

Nearly as well-known as their music is the group's image: Gibbons and Hill are almost always pictured wearing sunglasses (a nod to their 1979 song "Cheap Sunglasses"), similar if not matching clothing, and their trademark chest-length beards (Ironically, in spite of his own surname, Beard almost always sports just a mustache). Sunglasses or sun glasses are a visual aid variously termed Spectacles or Glasses, which feature lenses that are coloured or darkened to prevent strong " Cheap Sunglasses " is a 1980 single by ZZ Top from their 1979 album Degüello. In 1984, the Gillette Company reportedly offered Gibbons and Hill US$10 million apiece to shave their beards for a television commercial but they declined, stating "We're too ugly without 'em". The United States dollar ( sign: $; code: USD) is the unit of Currency of the United States; it has also been A television advertisement or television commercial (often just commercial or advert (US or ad (UK is a span of television programming produced ^[1]

History

Early years

The players who would comprise ZZ Top had been in different Texas-based groups, most notably the Moving Sidewalks with Gibbons, and American Blues with Hill and Beard. The Moving Sidewalks was a 1960s Psychedelic Blues-rock band most notable for giving future ZZ Top Guitarist Billy Gibbons his start American Blues were a 1960s Texas -based garage band who played a Psychedelic style of blues rock music influenced by the 13th Floor Elevators By 1969, the rival groups had disbanded, and the three musicians joined forces. At first, Billy invited Frank for his project, a blues rock foursome. Blues-rock is a hybrid musical genre combining Bluesy improvisations over the 12-bar blues and extended Boogie jams with Rock Needing a new bassist, Beard suggested his former bandmate, Joe 'Dusty' Hill, and the nascent band stayed a trio.

The origin of the band's name was not officially known for many years, but rumours abounded: a hybrid of two popular brands of rolling paper, Zig-Zag and 'Top'; a tribute to blues legend Z. Z. Hill; and Billy Gibbons perhaps witnessing the two words running together on a dilapidated billboard. Zig-Zag is a brand of rolling papers (commonly used for rolling tobacco that originated in France (#1 seller in USA as per industry publications Arziel Hill ( September 30 1935, Naples, Texas — April 27 1984, Dallas Texas) known popularly as Z The real origin--as told by Billy Gibbons and recorded in his book Rock + Roll Gearhead--is derived from the name of blues guitar master B. B. King. B B King (born Riley B King, September 16 1925 is an American Blues Guitarist and Singer-songwriter. The band originally wanted to call themselves Z. Z. King, but thought it seemed too similar to their hero. They thus figured that "King" was also at the "top", and so settled on ZZ Top.

ZZ Top played their first show in February, 1970, and toured Texas almost continually for the next several years. Upon signing a contract with London Records, the first two albums, ZZ Top's First Album and Rio Grande Mud, were made at Robin Hood Studios in Tyler, Texas. London Records is a Record label headquartered in the United Kingdom, originally marketing records in the United States, Canada and Latin ZZ Top's First Album is the debut Album by American Blues-rock band ZZ Top, released in 1971 (see 1971 in music) Rio Grande Mud is the second Album by American Blues-rock band ZZ Top, released in 1972 (see 1972 in music) Tyler is a city in and the County seat of Smith County, Texas in the United States. Texas ( is a state geographically located in the South Central United States and is also known as the Lone Star State.

By 1973, ZZ Top began recording with engineer Terry Manning at Ardent Studios in Memphis^[3]. Terry Manning is a music producer songwriter photographer and recording engineer known for work in rock rhythm and blues and pop music genres Ardent Studios is a professional recording studio located in Memphis Tennessee. Memphis is a City in the southwest corner of Tennessee, and the County seat of Shelby County. The resultant third album, Tres Hombres (1973), was the first for which the band gained a million-seller and wide acclaim. Tres Hombres is the third Album by American Blues-rock band ZZ Top, released in 1973 (see 1973 in music) Hombres featured ZZ's classic hit "La Grange", a reference to the famous bordello, also the subject of the musical The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. " La Grange " is a song by the rock group ZZ Top from their album Tres Hombres, released in 1973. For the 2008 film of this name see The Brothel. For the television series of this name see Cathouse The Series. The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas is a musical with a book by Larry L Other album cuts like "Waitin' for the Bus" and its immediate follower "Jesus Just Left Chicago" became fan favorites and rock-radio staples.

By September of 1974, ZZ Top was drawing tens of thousands to shows such as the Labor Day stadium concert in Austin, dubbed “ZZ Top’s First Annual Texas-Size Rompin’ Stompin’ Barndance and Bar-B-Q. ” Also on the bill were Santana, Joe Cocker, and Bad Company. Joe Cocker OBE (born 20 May 1944 is an English rock / Blues Singer who came to popularity in the 1960s and is most known for his gritty Bad Company are an English Blues rock supergroup founded in 1973 consisting of band members from Free ( Paul Rodgers, Simon ^[4]

A photo of the 1974 crowds was used on the record sleeve of Fandango!, released in 1975. This article is about the album For other uses see Fandango (disambiguation Fandango! is the fourth Album by American Blues-rock The album--half studio material and half live document--spawned the infamous hit "Tush" as well as "Heard It on the X", a paean to Mexican border-blaster stations whose call sign began with X. A border blaster is a licensed commercial Radio station that transmits at very high power from one nation to another The band continued touring heavily in 1976, releasing Tejas and the single "Arrested for Driving While Blind". Tejas is the fifth Album by American Blues-rock band ZZ Top, released in 1977 (see 1977 in music) although in

By 1977, after hefty touring and recording schedules, ZZ Top drifted into an extended and unplanned hiatus. Manager-producer and overall image-meister Bill Ham used the time to negotiate a recording deal which allowed the band to retain rights their catalogue on London Records, which would then be distributed by their new label, Warner Bros. Records. Bill Ham (born William Mack Ham in 1937 is the former manager producer and image-maker of ZZ Top, from its inception in late 1969 until September 2006 London Records is a Record label headquartered in the United Kingdom, originally marketing records in the United States, Canada and Latin Warner Bros Records Inc is an American Record label that operates as a wholly owned Subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

ZZ Top reunited in 1979 for live shows and a new album, Deguello, under their new Warners contract. Degüello is the sixth studio Album by American Blues-rock band ZZ Top, released in 1979 (see 1979 in music) Unbeknownst to each other, Hill and Gibbons had both grown out their now-famous beards. (Ironically, the only beardless band member remained the mustachioed Frank Beard. ) The album displayed a strikingly minimalist approach to the ZZ Top sound. Along with Gibbons' clean guitar and the sparse Hill-Beard rhythm section, Deguello sported saxophone harmonies courtesy of Gibbons, Hill, and Beard--touted as the "The Lone Wolf Horns"--and yielded famous hits such as "Cheap Sunglasses" along with a cover version of Issac Hayes' "I Thank You. The saxophone (commonly referred to simply as sax) is a conical- bored transposing Musical instrument considered a member of the Woodwind Isaac Lee Hayes Jr (August 20 1942 – August 10 2008 was an American Academy Award winning soul and Funk singer-songwriter Musician "

Eliminator and the 1980s

ZZ Top started out the 1980s with an eclectic mix of songs on El Loco, released in 1981. See El Loco (disambiguation for other uses of the phrase El Loco is the seventh studio Album by American Blues-rock band The album featured the band's first use of synthesizer and incorporated unusual electronic effects. Singles stayed in the previous ZZ good-time vein, however, such as "Tube Snake Boogie" and "Party On the Patio".

By late 1983, with the telling release of Eliminator, ZZ Top had undertaken a complete artistic reinvention both in sound and image. Eliminator featured a darkly innovative and distinctive synthesizer-laced sound which wove into and augmented the band's guitar-bass-drums formula, a rarity in the blues rock genre. Blues-rock is a hybrid musical genre combining Bluesy improvisations over the 12-bar blues and extended Boogie jams with Rock To obtain the signature Eliminator sound, Gibbons also devised the "amp cabin", a collection of guitar amplifiers surrounding a microphone. (Rumor also had it that Gibbons and Hill used melted-down Cadillac fenders for guitar strings. Cadillac is a Brand of Luxury vehicles owned by General Motors. )

With the advent of MTV, ZZ also readily embraced the phenomenon of the music video and boosted itself to new popularity with video releases of "Gimme All Your Lovin'", "Legs" and "Sharp Dressed Man", each featuring the band's new icon: a cherry-red 1933 Ford Coupe hot rod nicknamed The Eliminator. MTV ( Music Television) is an American Cable television network based in New York City. A music video is a Short film or video that accompanies a complete piece of music most commonly a Song with lyrics " Legs " is a song performed by the band ZZ Top from their 1983 album Eliminator. " Sharp Dressed Man " is a popular song performed by ZZ Top from their signature album Eliminator released in 1983 Hot rods are typically American cars with large engines modified for linear speed The comical videos featured a trio of mysterious, sexy women who roam around and rescue people from seemingly dire situations, along with an iconic Billy, Dusty, and Frank, who seem to appear out of nowhere and grinningly proffer keys to the Eliminator.

The ZZ sound now featured a modern, electronic, and danceable formula which won the band new fans and multi-million-dollar success in sales, radio and video play, and live tours. A media phenomenon, Eliminator remains ZZ Top's most successful album to date.

The band's next album, 1985's Afterburner, expanded Eliminator's use of synthesizers coupled with blues-rock rhythms. Year 1985 ( MCMLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar) Afterburner is the ninth studio album by American Blues-rock band ZZ Top, released in 1985 (see 1985 in music) The ZZ Top sound now incorporated the use of sequencers, notably on the hit singles and videos "Sleeping Bag", "Rough Boy", and "Velcro Fly". A music sequencer (also MIDI sequencer or just sequencer) is software or hardware designed to create and manage computer-generated music The Afterburner album cover (and "Sleeping Bag" video) now portrayed the Eliminator as a hot-rodded version of the Space Shuttle and the band as a space-station lounge act in "Rough Boy". NASA 's Space Shuttle, officially called the Space Transportation System ( STS) is the Spacecraft currently used by the United States

In 1987, Warner released the three-disc set ZZ Top: Six Pack, a collection of ZZ Top's albums from 1970 to 1981 (minus 1979's Degüello). Year 1979 ( MCMLXXIX) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1979 Gregorian calendar) Degüello is the sixth studio Album by American Blues-rock band ZZ Top, released in 1979 (see 1979 in music) The package, however, was remixed--perhaps controversially--by the label (along with ZZ Top) in order to make it sound like the band's later works. All drum tracks were edited to include expanded digital reverb effects. Also, in an attempt perhaps to fit six albums on three discs, some tracks (such as "Sure Got Cold After the Rain Fell" from Rio Grande Mud) were edited or 'faded out' sooner than their original versions. At the same time, individual remixed CD releases were released. Degüello, however, was spared the revisionist treatment because of a legal issue involving Elmore James's song, "Dust My Broom", which featured as a cover version on the album. Degüello is the sixth studio Album by American Blues-rock band ZZ Top, released in 1979 (see 1979 in music) Elmore James ( January 27, 1918 &ndash May 24, 1963) was an American Blues Guitarist, Singer

The 1990s

Recycler, released in 1990, was ZZ Top's last studio album under contract with Warner Records. Recycler is the tenth studio Album by American Blues-rock band ZZ Top, released in 1990 (see 1990 in music) Year 1990 ( MCMXC) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar) Recycler was also the last of a distinct sonic trilogy in the ZZ Top catalogue. ^[5] The collection actually marked a return towards the earlier, simpler guitar-driven blues sound with less synthesizer and pop bounce of the previous two albums. This move did not entirely suit the fanbase that Eliminator and Afterburner had built up, and while Recycler did achieve platinum status, it never matched the sales of Eliminator and Afterburner. The cartoonish and sexy-ZZ-girl videos continued, however, in singles like "My Head's in Mississippi", "Give It Up", and "Burger Man".

ZZ Top also contributed a song, "Doubleback", and appeared as a comical acoustic band in the wild-west dance scene in the 1990 movie Back to the Future III. Back to the Future Part III is the third installment of the ''Back to the Future'' trilogy. The band also appeared in the 1990 TV movie Mother Goose Rock 'n' Rhyme, portraying the Three Men In A Tub. Mother Goose Rock 'n' Rhyme is a 1990 Disney Channel TV movie starring Shelley Duvall as Little Bo Peep and Dan Gilroy

In 1992, Warner released ZZ Top's Greatest Hits along with a new Rolling Stones-style cut "Gun Love" and an Elvis-inflected video, "Viva Las Vegas".

In 1993, ZZ Top inducted a major influence, Cream, into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Year 1993 ( MCMXCIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar) Cream were a 1960s British rock band The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is a Museum located on the shores of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland Ohio, United States

The band then signed to a five-album deal with RCA Records, releasing the million-selling Antenna in 1994. RCA Records (originally The Victor Talking Machine Company, then RCA Victor is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. Antenna is the eleventh studio Album by American Blues-rock band ZZ Top, released in 1994 (see 1994 in music) Subsequent RCA albums, Rhythmeen (1996) and 1999's XXX (the second album to feature live tracks) sold well, but did not reach earlier standards. Rhythmeen is the twelfth studio Album by American Blues-rock band ZZ Top, released in 1996 (see 1996 in music Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) XXX is the thirteenth studio Album by American Blues-rock band ZZ Top, released in 1999 (see 1999 in music) ZZ Top, however, continued to play to enthusiastic live audiences.

In 1997, ZZ Top recorded a song for amateur wrestler Nicholas "Wild Thing" Bauer at the request of WWE star "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. Year 1997 ( MCMXCVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar World Wrestling Entertainment Inc ( WWE) is a publicly traded privately controlled integrated media (focusing in Television, Internet, Steven Williams (born Steven Anderson on December 18 1964 This defiance was often shown by Austin flipping McMahon off and incapacitating him with the

2000 and beyond

In July 2000, while on tour in Europe, bassist Dusty Hill was diagnosed with Hepatitis C, which forced the cancellation of several dates in that tour. Hepatitis C is a blood-borne infectious disease that is caused by the Hepatitis C virus ( HCV) affecting the Liver. Hill has since recovered.

In 2004, ZZ top released a final RCA album, Mescalero, an album thick with harsh Gibbons guitar and featuring a hidden track--a cover version of " As Time Goes By". Mescalero is the fourteenth studio Album by American Blues-rock band ZZ Top, released in 2003 (see 2003 in music) In the field of recorded music, a hidden track (sometimes secret track) is a piece of music which has been placed on a Compact disc, audio cassette " As Time Goes By " is a song written by Herman Hupfeld for the 1931 Broadway musical, Everybody's Welcome.

RCA impresario Clive Davis wanted to do a collaboration record (in the mode of Carlos Santana's successful Supernatural) for ZZ Top's 2003 release Mescalero. For the Costa Rican football player see Carlos Santana (footballer; for the Mexican academic see Carlos Santana Morales. In an interview in Goldmine magazine, artists Pink, Dave Matthews, and Wilco were among the artists slated for the project. Alecia Beth Moore (born September 8 1979 known professionally as P!nk is a two-time Grammy -winning American Singer-songwriter who gained prominence David John Matthews (born January 9, 1967) is a South African now naturalized American, Grammy award-winning Wilco is an American rock band based in Chicago, Illinois. The band was formed in 1994 by the remaining members of Alternative country group The band members declined this offer, however, and Davis and RCA subsequently shuffled the band to second-tier status.

A comprehensive four-CD collection of recordings from the London and Warner Bros. years, Chrome, Smoke & BBQ, was released in 2003. Chrome Smoke & BBQ is a Box set by American Blues-rock band ZZ Top, released in 2003 (see 2003 in music)

In 2004, ZZ Top was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones gave the induction speech. Keith Richards (born 18 December 1943 is an English Guitarist, Songwriter, Singer, producer and a founding member of The Rolling ZZ Top gave a brief performance playing "La Grange" and "Tush. "

Expanded and remastered versions of the original studio albums from the 70s and 80s are currently in production. Marketed as "Remastered and Expanded," these releases include additional live tracks which were not present on the original recordings. Two CDs have been released to date (Tres Hombres and Fandango!) in 2006, with a third (Eliminator) originally scheduled for release on March 24, 2008. The Eliminator re-release will also feature a collector's edition version containing a DVD which contains several videos and additional live tracks. ^[6]

As of 2006, it was reported that ZZ Top were recording their 15th studio album. There was no release, however, and on September 17, 2006 the band ended their tenure with RCA Records and further left their manager Bill Ham, president of Lone Wolf management. Bill Ham (born William Mack Ham in 1937 is the former manager producer and image-maker of ZZ Top, from its inception in late 1969 until September 2006 No reasons were publicized for these changes. In December 2006, Sanctuary Management added ZZ Top to its roster. In 2008, the band announced they have signed with producer Rick Rubin and plan on recording a new album. Frederick Jay "Rick" Rubin (born March 10 1963 in Lido Beach New York) is an American Record producer and is currently ^[7]

An article on Billboard^[8] in May of 2007 quotes Dusty as saying that the band is eager to sign a new contract and resume recording in the near future, but no hints at timescales have been made. Dusty did suggest that a live tour DVD is in the works. Whatever the outcome of contract negotiations, the band will have to complete their current tour before any new studio recordings take place.

In a later interview on VH1's Top 20 Countdown, the band said "A new album will be coming out as soon as our tours are done and when we get a record deal. VH1 (known as VH-1 Video Hits One from 1985 to 1994 and VH1 Music First until 2003) is an American Cable television "

The band was honored by Billy Bob Thornton at the second annual VH1 Rock Honors on May 24, 2007. The VH1 Rock Honors are an annual ceremony that pays homage to bands who influenced the sound of Rock music. Nickelback performed a rendtion of Sharp Dressed Man as an introduction. Nickelback is a Canadian rock band formed in Hanna Alberta by Chad Kroeger, Mike Kroeger, Ryan Peake and then-drummer The same show also included Ozzy Osbourne, Genesis and Heart. John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne (born December 3 1948) is a British singer Genesis are an English rock band formed in 1967 With approximately 150 million albums sold worldwide Genesis are among the top 30 highest-selling recording artists Heart is a rock band whose founding members came from the Seattle, Washington, scene but came together in Vancouver, British Columbia

On November 1, 2007 the band taped a live performance at the Nokia Theater in Grand Prairie, Texas, which will become a live DVD release (projected release date of June 24, 2008). ^[9][10]

ZZ Top's most recent high-profile appearance was a performance at the 2008 Orange Bowl game in Miami. They also performed in 2008 at the Auto Club 500 NASCAR event at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana.

The Eliminator Collector's Edition CD/DVD celebrating the 25th anniversary of the band's iconic RIAA Diamond Certified album is scheduled to be released June 9, 2008. The release included seven bonus tracks (five of which are previously unreleased live cuts from 1983) and a bonus DVD (including the four concept videos originally associated with the album and four live performances from a 1983 British television program).

On May 21, 2008 ZZ Top played their song "Sharp Dressed Man" with the winner of American Idol Season 7 David Cook on the American Idol Finale. " Sharp Dressed Man " is a popular song performed by ZZ Top from their signature album Eliminator released in 1983 American Idol, with the full title American Idol The Search for a Superstar for the first season only is an American reality-competition David Cook may refer to David Cook (singer (b 1982 winner of the seventh season of American Idol David J On June 12-14, they performed at Bama Jam, outside of Enterprise Alabama.

On June 24, 2008 ZZ Top will release their first ever live concert DVD entitled Live From Texas. On June 23, 2008 ZZ Top will celebrate the release of Live From Texas with a special appearance at the Hard Rock Cafe Houston where the DVD will be world premiered. The entire evening will be covered in a live stream by Woozyfly. com ^[11]

ZZ Top's guitars, cars, and motorcycles

The ZZ guitars

Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill are famous for their custom guitars, many of which were co-designed by Gibbons and master luthier John Bolin of Bolin Guitars. Gibbons likes his custom instruments with a neck conforming to the specs of his 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard nicknamed Pearly Gates. The Gibson Les Paul is a solidbody Electric guitar originally developed in the early 1950s Hill requests that his basses have a similar neck profile to the 1951 Fender Precision Bass he used extensively in the early days of the band, and often uses to this day. The Fender Precision Bass (sometimes shortened to the " P Bass " is an electric bass guitar, and was the first widely-available model of the instrument

The Eliminator

Billy F. Gibbons is a fan and avid collector of custom cars and motorcycles. ^[12][13] His custom vehicles were a mainstay for the earlier ZZ Top videos and were also used for promotion.

The red 1933 Ford 3-window coupé Hot Rod 'The Eliminator' was customized by Don Thelen at Paramount. Hot rods are typically American cars with large engines modified for linear speed The car was featured in a video trilogy from the album "Eliminator", consisting of "Sharp Dressed Man", "Gimme All Your Lovin'" and "Legs". The car was also featured in various custom car magazines around the globe.
'The Eliminator' gets eliminated by two wheel loaders in the video "Sleeping Bag" from the "Afterburner" album, while it saves a young couple from being captured by the bad boys. Afterburner is the ninth studio album by American Blues-rock band ZZ Top, released in 1985 (see 1985 in music) The car gets reborn as a mix between the Hot Rod and the Space Shuttle, as shown on the cover of the "Afterburner" album. NASA 's Space Shuttle, officially called the Space Transportation System ( STS) is the Spacecraft currently used by the United States Afterburner is the ninth studio album by American Blues-rock band ZZ Top, released in 1985 (see 1985 in music) When the Eliminator Shuttle rockets into space, controlled by the ZZ Top crew, a text appears "to be continued. . . ". But in the next video "Stages", the shuttle only has a very brief showing at the end with the text "Stay tuned. . . ". In the following video "Rough Boy" the shuttle plays a larger role as the sole customer in a car wash space station. This video closes the "Afterburner" trilogy with the ominous text "Stay clean. . . ". The Eliminator has one last (so far) and almost imperceptible appearance at the beginning of the video "Burger Man" from the "Recycler" album.

A 1/24 scale plastic model of the Eliminator was produced by Monogram under license. Monogram has been a premier maker of scale models of armor and other military transports spacecraft aircraft ships and cars since its founding 1945

Leapin' Limo

Based on a 1948 Pontiac Silver Streak, the car was stretched 40 inches, painted in black with ZZ Top graphics and used in the video for "Velcro Fly" from the "Afterburner" album. Afterburner is the ninth studio album by American Blues-rock band ZZ Top, released in 1985 (see 1985 in music)

CadZZilla

Based on a 1948 Cadillac Sedanette, the CadZZilla is a low-slung, sleek and dark custom car built by Boyd Coddington and designed by Larry Erickson. Boyd Leon Coddington ( August 28, 1944 – February 27, 2008) was the owner of the Boyd Coddington Hot Rod Shop and star of American The name is a contraction of Cadillac, ZZ Top and Godzilla. Etymology Name "Godzilla" is a combination of two Japanese words and. It wasn't featured as prominently in ZZ Top's videos as 'The Eliminator', but it appeared in "My Head's in Mississippi" and in "Burger Man" - pulling out of the parking lot of a diner at the very beginning of the video. When CadZZilla has left the frame, it reveals a brief view of 'The Eliminator' parked beside the diner. An artist's rendition of CadZZilla was used on the cover of the "Recycler" album. In the video for "Doubleback", which uses Back to the Future Part III footage, CadZZilla appears at the final show down and similarly to the early Eliminator videos, three sexy women get out of the car and solve the problem. Back to the Future Part III is the third installment of the ''Back to the Future'' trilogy. When the car drives off, a view of its rear license plate is shown: "I 8 Tokyo" - I ate Tokyo, a reference to Godzilla.

The car was well-received in the custom scene. Gray Baskerville, Senior Editor of the Hot Rod Magazine even named it as one of his favourite custom cars ever, and called it the epitome of the "Dare to Be Different" era. Hot Rod magazine is a popular American monthly Magazine devoted the hobby of hot ^[14] The intense customization cost around 900. 000 US$ at the time. CadZZilla was shown outside the USA, for example 2005 at the 14th Annual Yokohama HOT ROD・Custom Show. ^[15] CadZZilla's timeless looks motivated and inspired Richard Ferlazzo to design the Holden Efijy showcar. The Holden Efijy is a Concept car created in Australia by Holden. ^[16]

Scale models in 1/24 and 1/64 were produced under license.

Other cars and motorcycles

• HogZZilla To accompany his CadZZilla, Gibbons decided to have two Harley Davidson motorbikes converted to matching custom bikes. Harley-Davidson Motor Company ( formerly HDI is an American manufacturer of Motorcycles based in Milwaukee Wisconsin. The name is a contraction of the Harley Davidson nickname HOG, ZZ Top and Godzilla. Harley-Davidson Motor Company ( formerly HDI is an American manufacturer of Motorcycles based in Milwaukee Wisconsin.
• Kopperhed Based on a Fifties' Ford sedan, radical re-modelling of the roof creates the look of a 3-window coupé.
• Mambo Coupé Based on a 1936 Ford Coupé.
• Slampala Based on a 1962 Chevrolet Impala. The modern air ride suspension allows the car to be set to extremely low ground clearance. The scene term for this is "slammed", hence the name Slampala, a contraction of Slammed Impala.
• 8 Ball B Based on a 1992 BMW 325i with a louvred hood/bonnet and distinct Pool-Billiard theme.

Discography

Studio albums

Compilations

Singles

Music videos

• "Gimme All Your Lovin'"
• "Sharp Dressed Man"
• "Legs"
• "TV Dinners"
• "Sleeping Bag"
• "Stages"
• "Rough Boy"
• "Velcro Fly"
• "My Head's In Mississippi"
• "Give It Up"
• "Burger Man"
• "Doubleback" from OST Back to the Future Part III
• "Viva Las Vegas"
• "Pincushion"
• "Breakaway"
• "World of Swirl"
• "She's Just Killing Me" from OST From Dusk Till Dawn

Videos

• Greatest Hits (2004)
• Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival (Nov. See El Loco (disambiguation for other uses of the phrase El Loco is the seventh studio Album by American Blues-rock band Eliminator is the eighth studio Album by American Blues-rock band ZZ Top, released in 1983 (see 1983 in music) Afterburner is the ninth studio album by American Blues-rock band ZZ Top, released in 1985 (see 1985 in music) Recycler is the tenth studio Album by American Blues-rock band ZZ Top, released in 1990 (see 1990 in music) Antenna is the eleventh studio Album by American Blues-rock band ZZ Top, released in 1994 (see 1994 in music) Rhythmeen is the twelfth studio Album by American Blues-rock band ZZ Top, released in 1996 (see 1996 in music XXX is the thirteenth studio Album by American Blues-rock band ZZ Top, released in 1999 (see 1999 in music) Mescalero is the fourteenth studio Album by American Blues-rock band ZZ Top, released in 2003 (see 2003 in music) The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard The UK Albums Chart is a list of Albums ranked by sales in the United Kingdom. The Best Of ZZ Top (subtitled 10 Legendary Texas Tales) is a Greatest hits Album by American Blues-rock band Greatest Hits is a Greatest hits Album by American Blues-rock band ZZ Top, released in 1992 (see 1992 in music One Foot in the Blues is a compilation Album by American Blues-rock band ZZ Top, released in 1994 (see 1994 in music Chrome Smoke & BBQ is a Box set by American Blues-rock band ZZ Top, released in 2003 (see 2003 in music) Rancho Texicano The Very Best of ZZ Top is a Best of Album by American Blues-rock band ZZ Top, released in 2004 (see Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks (originally called Mainstream Rock Tracks) is a ranking in Billboard magazine of the most-played songs on Mainstream rock Billboard 's Hot Dance Club Play chart (also known as Club Play Singles, and formerly known as Hot Dance Music/Club Play and Hot Dance/Disco The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official UK Charts Company (OCC on behalf of the British record industry " La Grange " is a song by the rock group ZZ Top from their album Tres Hombres, released in 1973. " Tush " was the only single from ZZ Top 's fourth album Fandango!. " Cheap Sunglasses " is a 1980 single by ZZ Top from their 1979 album Degüello. " I Thank You " is a song written by David Porter and Isaac Hayes originally recorded by Sam and Dave, released in early 1968 " Tube Snake Boogie " is a song by the rock band ZZ Top from their 1981 album El Loco. " Pearl Necklace " is a song by ZZ Top from their 1981 Album El Loco. " Got Me Under Pressure " is song by ZZ Top from their 1983 album Eliminator. " Sharp Dressed Man " is a popular song performed by ZZ Top from their signature album Eliminator released in 1983 " Gimme All Your Lovin' " is a song by ZZ Top from their 1983 album Eliminator. " TV Dinners " is a song by Texas rock band ZZ Top, taken from their eighth studio album 1983 's 10-times Platinum " Legs " is a song performed by the band ZZ Top from their 1983 album Eliminator. " Stages " was the second single by the American rock band ZZ Top in 1985 from their album Afterburner. " Viva Las Vegas " is a 1964 song written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman and recorded by Elvis Presley for his Viva Las Vegas " Pincushion " is a song by rock band ZZ Top, released from their 1994 album Antenna. " Sharp Dressed Man " is a popular song performed by ZZ Top from their signature album Eliminator released in 1983 " Legs " is a song performed by the band ZZ Top from their 1983 album Eliminator. Back to the Future Part III is the third installment of the ''Back to the Future'' trilogy. From Dusk till Dawn is a 1996 action / Horror film directed by Robert Rodriguez and written by Quentin Tarantino. Greatest Hits is a music video compilation by ZZ Top It was released in 1992 under Warner Bros Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE (born 30 March 1945 is an English Blues-rock Guitarist, singer Songwriter and Composer The Crossroads Guitar Festival was a Music festival and Benefit concert first held in 2004 and again in 2007 9, 2004) - ZZ Top plays on this video.
• Willie Nelson & Friends: Live and Kickin' (2005) - ZZ Top Plays on this video. Willie Nelson (born April 30, 1933) is an American country Singer-songwriter and Actor.
• Live From Texas (Jun. Live From Texas is a live DVD/Blu-ray by ZZ Top. It was recorded on November 1st 2007 at the Nokia Theatre Dallas (Grand Prarie TX and released June 24 2008 on 24, 2008)

Books

• "ZZ Top: Bad and Worldwide" (1985)
• "ZZ Top" by Mitchell Craven (July 1, 1985)
• "ZZ Top" by Philip Kamin (March 3, 1986)
• "ZZ Top" by Robert Draper (July 1, 1989)
• "Elimination: The ZZ Top Story" (December 1, 1991)
• "Sharp-Dressed Men: ZZ Top Behind the Scenes from Blues to Boogie to Beards" (May 1, 1994)
• "ZZ Top: Elimination" (June 1, 1998)
• "ZZ Top Greatest Hits" (July 1, 1999)
• "The New Best of Zz Top for Guitar (Easy Tab Deluxe)" (July 1, 1999)
• "ZZ Top / XXX (Authentic Guitar-Tab)" (March 1, 2000)
• "ZZ Top - Guitar Anthology" (February 1, 2003)
• "Essential ZZ Top" (April 2003)
• "The Very Best of ZZ Top" (April 1, 2003)
• "The Best of ZZ Top: A Step-By-Step Breakdown of the Guitar Styles and Techniques of Billy Gibbons" (September 1, 2003)
• "Billy F. Gibbons: Rock+Roll Gearhead" (October 15, 2005).

NOTE: Publishing dates were acquired from Amazon. com.

Awards

• The Living Legends Award - Given out by The Board of Directors of the International Entertainment Buyer's Association (IEBA) live between Oct. 15-17, 2006. ^[17]
• VH1 Rock Honors award in 2007^[18]

See also

• Best selling music artists
• List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. Mainstream Rock chart

References

External links

• The Official ZZ Top Website
• ZZ Top at MySpace
• ZZ Top's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame bio
• ZZ Top at Woozyfly