TGIF Rock-n-Roll Oldies: ZZ TOP - 1979

Reaganite Republican ^ | July 8, 2011 | Reaganite Republican

[Reaganite Republican]

ZZ Top is a hugely successful Texas-rock band who've been quite innovative over four decades in the music business- 

yet they never strayed far from the basic elements/roots that made the trio so popular and distinctive in the first place. 

The group's sound -like British trio Status Quo- features a blues-based 'boogie rock', but influences are wide and varied. They hail from Houston, and formed the band from local rival bands back in 1969. ZZ Top soon developed a solid following in Texas and began writing their own songs.  Once original drummer was replaced by Frank Beard- he, Billy Gibbons, and Dusty Hill formed the band as we know them now for 40 years.

The boys signed with London Records in 1970, releasing ZZ Top's First Album in 1971, yet selling few... although I've got it and it's great, as is the second album Rio Grande Mud- which at the time fared little better in the record stores.

But after opening for such major bands as Humble Pie and Janis Joplin when they played Texas, ZZ Top were making themselves known. 1973's Tres Hombres completed the task when it went all the way to #8 on the Billboard Album chart. The record featured the single "La Grange", which of course went on to be a concert staple that has played on FM radio forever (although the first time I heard it was on AM radio when I was eleven!).

In January 1973 ZZ Top was asked by Mick Jagger to fly out to Hawaii and open for the Rolling Stones at upcoming Honolulu shows- Dusty Hill recalls the way that went: 

"We got word that Mick Jagger heard our first album and liked it. And he wanted us to open for the Stones in Hawaii. That just blew us away. 

But the next thing I heard was that Stevie Wonder opened for them here in the States and actually got booed at one show. So I was scared to death... 

We get onstage in Hawaii with our cowboy hats, boots and jeans and you could hear a pin drop. Somebody went, ‘Oh no, they’re a country band..."

After much touring and limited commercial success, the band went on a two-year hiatus in '77, which resulted -unbeknownst to each other at the time- in Gibbons and Hill growing chest-length beards. Genuinely surprised when they saw each other again, the two front men decided it would be a cool look onstage: in the event, they became instant icons. The trio was back in the music business in 1979 (never forget the first time I heard "Cheap Sunglasses" in my Camaro on the way to school!), and by 1983 found themselves in the upper-tier of rock stardom with the album Eliminator, which sold over 10 million copies alone.

Throughout the 1980s, the band had several hits that became timeless rock radio classics. MTV also played a part, as the Texas rockers were a sensation on the cable video music channel.  ZZ Top won several awards for music videos like "Legs" and "Sharp Dressed Man"-any real American's got to love that '32 Ford! I myself have caught the band live on two occasions, and I would say the '79 tour was one of the best shows -if not the best- I can recall having witnessed in my life, and a lot of fun, too. 

I absolutely love ZZ Top, every album-every song. If you're not familiar with some of the early 70s stuff, do yourself a favor and check it out- more of a raw, Texas country-rock.

After over 40 years, the band continues to tour and record music. ZZ Top has sold more than 50 million albums...

Here from 1979's Degüello... covering Isaac Hayes:

ZZ Top: I Thank You - 1979

Video/photos/links at Reaganite Republican

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Previous RR Rock n Roll Oldies Features -here-

Enjoy your weekend, FReepers~

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ZZTop.com   Wikipedia

[evets]

I've met ZZ Top. They are conservative 'ditto heads'.

[nascarnation]

[JNRoberts]

Yeah, and I still think the girl with the long blond hair in this video is one of the all time hottest ever...any video.....wow: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EXXZVdUJ98

[wideawake]

ZZ Top is a hugely successful Texas-rock band who've been quite innovative over four decades in the music business

Their charm is based precisely on not being innovative, but on consistently providing a steady diet of bluesy boogie-rock year in and year out for 40+ years.

[ConservativeDude]

i always liked the fact that the only band member with no beard is named Frank Beard.

I know that is not a sophisticated joke, but I still like it....

[EyeGuy]

It changes constantly, but this my current favorite ZZ Top riff:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKueHdKJ0jg

Pull on those strings with chip-on-shoulder ‘tude.

Gotta love that thundering bass rolling underneath the whole thing, as well.

[jeffc]

My favorite all time line:

Smokin' Lucky Strikes and wearin' nylons, too

[Reaganite Republican]

HEY... that’s a cool picture!

[Liberty Valance]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVpmob_a_7Y
ZZ Top - Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers

[the_devils_advocate_666]

I think “Fool For Your Stockings” is my ZZ Top favorite.

[WKUHilltopper]

I can’t believe “Disco Duck” didn’t make the cut...what’s wrong with these people?!

[NavyCanDo]

Whatever happened to great music videos like that. It was a favorite of mine, along with the Bangles doing Walk like an Egyptian in their hot live performance.

[Reaganite Republican]

Well, a lot of ZZ Top purtists hate the synthesizer stuff... it’s still controversial for some

IMHO they pushed the envelope in a number of directions over the years without losing touch of the root sound- but I definitely consider them innovative, particularly withing this genre- vs say, the Fab T Birds for Stevie Ray Vaughn

[Reaganite Republican]

Never knew this one until college... that was when I started getting into their older stuff

[evets]

Their new album is due out soon. Here's a cut:
Flyin' High
It's supposed to be a return to their 'roots'.

[bigbob]

And, for extra non-existent credit (except in your own trivia-loging mind) -
Which ZZ Top song was also known as “The God Drums” of Lud?

[JNRoberts]

Yeah, those were good videos back then. I guess they got too expensive. I liked Van Halen’s “JUMP” too. Good for when I am running at the gym too.......http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlq0lYB3iSM

[evets]

... What is "Velcro Fly"?

[Amberdawn]

Do you mean Jimmie Lee Vaughn with the Fab T-Birds?