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Texas trio ZZ Top: Greasy guitar playing, lots of hits during first Victoria concert since 2016

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What: ZZ Top with Cheap Trick Where: Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre When: Friday, April 22 Rating: 4 (out of 5)

When rockers ZZ Top last played Victoria, in 2016, it was on a Friday night — which is their time to shine, it would be safe to assume.

The ’80s hitmakers returned to Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre, once again on a Friday, and cranked the volume up — way up — for 80 minutes of Texas boogie.

The band was without one of its core members, bassist Dusty Hill, who died in July at 72. His replacement, the band’s former guitar tech, Elwood Francis, fell perfectly into place — beard and all — which came as a welcome relief.

The band’s first line-up change in more than 50 years came and went without a hitch.

ZZ Top’s Canadian tour with openers Cheap Trick was originally set to begin in ­Victoria on April 29, 2020, which would have featured Hill. He was missed, but the Texas trio sounded strong and cohesive on this night. Welcome to the party, Elwood.

His presence seemed to spark singer-guitarist Billy Gibbons, who had to work much harder Friday than he did six years ago (Hill sang lead on several songs and offered timely back-up vocals throughout ZZ Top’s career). Gibbons rose to the challenge, and was in fine voice throughout.

His guitar playing was typically greasy, carrying the show with a series of languid leads. Gibbons is the creator of his own brand of boogie bouillabaisse, a recipe that is imbued with ­charcoal and champagne. The quality never dipped, where his playing was concerned, even when he and Francis broke out the faux-fur guitars.

Cheap Trick, playing only its fourth show ever in Victoria, and first since a 2016 appearance at the University of Victoria’s ­Farquhar Auditorium, was flat-out deafening in the opening slot. Volume isn’t a problem if the acoustics play along, but the set was muddy and listless.

The abundance of empty seats at the outset didn’t help matters — start time was 7 p.m., when most attendees were getting primed in the lobby — and the band’s energy was largely lacking.

The sound improved by the time the Rockford, Illinois quintet arrived at the meat of their catalogue, which eventually brought things up to a passable level.

The Flame, I Want You To Want Me, Dream Police , and Surrender were played well, but they are recognizable hits with decades of FM radio spins to their credit. They were expected to be highlights, and offered the only takeaways of the night for the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers.

ZZ Top is in the enviable position of having dozens of legitimate hits, which makes comparisons between them and Cheap Trick unfair.

There’s a reason they were the headliners, and they proved it during a strong opening ­section that included Gimme All Your Lovin' ,  I Thank You and Got Me Under Pressure .

By the time the group closed out the night with Legs, Tube Snake Boogie. and La Grange , it felt like the ’70s and ’80s were alive and well.

Attendance was reported as 4,200. 

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ZZ Top rises again: Legendary and longtime trio takes the First Interstate Center stage Thursday

After more than a half-century, ZZ Top’s lineup was intact. From 1970 until 2021, it was vocalist-guitarist Billy Gibbons, bassist Dusty Hill and drummer Frank Beard as ZZ Top. But Hill passed away last summer. And ZZ Top, who headline Thursday at First Interstate Center for the Arts, is now rolling along with bassist Elwood Francis.

“We’re comin’ on strong and quite excited to get out there and play for real friends, fans and followers, live and in-person,” Gibbons said. How has the band, which has sold more than 50 million albums, been able to sustain for 52 years? “Three factors encapsulate the fact that we’ve never broken up, ergo never had to get back together for the inevitable reunion tour,” Gibbons said while calling from his Los Angeles home.

“First, we’re an odd number, so there can’t be any ties when we vote on what to do, so there can’t be factions. It’s either us or it’s not us. Second, three guys, three touring coaches (as in buses). We’re constantly in the studio and onstage together, yet we have space in between for diversions to the nth degree, mainly comparing notes surrounding recipes from South of the Border!

“And the most important element is we have a good time!” The good times have always been evident during their greasy, grungy fusion of blues-rock, such as the playful and powerful “Tush,” the amusing but potent “Cheap Sunglasses” and their nod to John Lee Hooker, “Le Grange.” And then there is their 1983 commercial breakthrough “Eliminator,” which featured their biggest hits, “Legs,” “Under Pressure” and “Sharp Dressed Man.”

The word was that ZZ Top was influenced by British synth legends Depeche Mode when writing the “Eliminator” album. “Yes, they did (impact ZZ Top),” Gibbons said. “The use of synth sounds and sequencers secretly sneaked in studios around the world inspiring a legion of global playing outfits with Depeche Mode capturing a special inspiring mystique.

“The success of ‘Eliminator’ remains a solid statement to the time. … It still comes out as based in the blues but with some refreshing touches. Again, at the root, it’s still the blues.” That’s fascinating since the bands appear to be polar opposites. The gritty guitar-driven ZZ Top and the elegant, electronic Depeche Mode. Gibbons, 72, has released three solo albums, including “Hardware,” which dropped in 2021, since the last ZZ Top album was crafted a decade ago.

It has looked like ZZ Top would never make another album, but Gibbons says that’s not so. “Getting a new ZZ Top album off the ground is always a logistical undertaking of significance,” Gibbons said. “Yet now evidenced with our aim to go back into studio land for something delightful.” Gibbons enjoyed making “Hardware” with special guests such as Stone Temple Pilots bassist Robert DeLeo, former Guns N’ Roses drummer Matt Sorum and roots-rockers Larkin Pie.

“It was liberating along with broadening, “Gibbons said. “That, of course, widens the experience with cornerstones.” It’s not easy planning what ZZ Top will play each night since their canon is already 15 albums deep. “Coming up with a setlist is a difficult task, to be sure,” Gibbons said. “There are some gottas, like ‘Tush,’ ‘Jesus Left Chicago’ and ‘Sharp Dressed Man,’ and the ones you probably know, and some things that may not yet be known.

“Perhaps it may require a six-hour concert to squeeze in and get to everything.” It’s difficult for Gibbons and his bandmates not to look back, particularly with their clever and amusing videos crafted during the 1980s. ZZ Top stood out by appearing in the background of their own clips. “We stand by the work, especially the pretty girls and the little red car,” Gibbons said.

“We endeavored to make sure that we were, in essence, guests in our own videos, on the periphery in terms of visual presence but front and center in terms of musical presence. Like that setlist, the concern was balance.” It all worked out for ZZ Top, which has made music on its own terms, and the group was enshrined in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004.

“That’s the highlight of my career,” Gibbons said. “Being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Keith Richards. As a dyed in the wool Stones fan, I can’t think of anything more exhilarating than that experience. We got to share a bill with the Stones in Hawaii back in 1973. We bonded and have kept a tight friendship going all this while.

“If you’re going to have a great friend, Keith is the man. Now you know everything.” There must be something that fans don’t know. “There is,” Gibbons said. “If I were to shave off this beard, you wouldn’t be able to tell me apart from George Clooney.”

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Review: Revamped ZZ Top returns to Houston for a homecoming show

Zz top followed well-received opening sets from ann wilson of heart and guitarist jeff beck at the woodlands pavilion..

ZZ Top, for the first time since the death of bassist Dusty Hill , returned to a Houston-area stage.

The revamped trio performed Sunday night at the Woodlands Pavilion to an enthusiastic crowd. Original members Frank Beard and Billy Gibbons were joined by Elwood Francis, their former guitar tech. According to Beard and Gibbons, it was what Hill wanted . 

HOPELESSLY DEVOTED: Olivia Newton-John celebrated with comic book for her birthday

"It's party time. Time to rock. With ZZ Top," a voice announced at the set kickoff. They followed well-received opening sets from Ann Wilson of Heart and guitarist Jeff Beck.

Gibbons and Francis walked out together and got to work, drummer Beard keeping the beat just behind them. It was a tight, 16-song setlist that hit all the expected moments: opener "Got Me Under Pressure," "I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide," "Legs."

Francis certainly looked the part, sporting a long beard he grew out during the COVID-19 pandemic . Gibbons told the Houston Chronicle that the new addition has "created a kind of unexpected reinvention of some longstanding compositions."

The energy was at an uptick throughout, even as the well-worn songs felt comfortable and familiar. "Sharp Dressed Man," one of the band's MTV-era breakouts, earned one of the night's loudest singalongs.

Beck returned to join That Little Ol' Band from Texas for the final trio of songs: "Rough Boy," "Sixteen Tons" and "La Grange."

Joey Guerra is the music critic for the Houston Chronicle. He also covers various aspects of pop culture. He has reviewed hundreds of concerts and interviewed hundreds of celebrities, from Justin Bieber to Dolly Parton to Beyonce. He's appeared as a regular correspondent on Fox26 and was head judge and director of the Pride Superstar singing competition for a decade. He has been named journalist of the year multiple times by both OutSmart Magazine and the FACE Awards. He also covers various aspects of pop culture, including the local drag scene and "RuPaul's Drag Race."

Utah Concert Review

Relive the Utah Concert Experience!

ZZ Top• June 15, 2022• Red Butte Garden Amphitheater

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

ZZ Top has been coming to Utah since the 70s. They used to call The Salt Palace home whenever they would come to Salt Lake City. In recent years, Red Butte Garden Amphitheater is the stopping place for the legendary Blues Rock band. ZZ Top helped bring live music back to Red Butte last summer just weeks following the passing of original bassist, Dusty Hill. Less than a year later, ZZ Top made their return with the same lineup, including new bassist and former guitar tech to Hill, Elwood Francis. The moment the band walked on stage, the generally casual garden attendees, jumped to their feet, ready to rock.

ZZ Top opened the show with “Got Me Under Pressure” from their 1983 hugely successful album, Eliminator . People were moving and pumping their fists as if it was the middle of the set. This was the perfect song to start things off. I thought the lengthy guitar solo helped get everyone settled in and ready for a high-voltage show.

I love seeing people who embraced this band from the early days get as excited as some of the newer and perhaps younger fans. The staging was simple but very cool looking. The band was surrounded by a backdrop of stacked light blue and orange Magnitone Amps. The aesthetic of the staging sent a very clear message that this show was meant to be loud, and full throttle. The band flew through their sixteen song set in a flash.

Growing up in the 80s and MTV (with music videos) era, I definitely got excited when one of their classic MTV generation songs would start. The first of those was “Gimme All Your Lovin'”. Drummer Frank Beard played that familiar beat and the crowd cheered. They immediately knew what song was being played. I was standing near the stage at the time and a security guard who was backstage rushed to the front and exclaimed, “This is my favorite song!”. I was impressed by the way he was able to get into the song while still doing his job well.

Lead man, Billy Gibbons didn’t spend too much time chatting with the crowd. He did have to stop in his tracks a time or two due to the positive reaction of the crowd. One time he stated, “Guess we’re having a good time now!”. Which only fired the audience up even more. I loved ZZ Top’s rendition of “Sixteen Tons”. I thought the band mixed in songs for their fans like me, from the 80s, with songs for their fans prior to their 80s explosion. Songs like, “Waiting for the Bus”, and “Just Got Paid” seemed to excite the fans that have been with ZZ Top from the beginning.

ZZ Top played “Sharp Dressed Man” and “Legs” back to back before leaving the stage. I thought this was the most exciting moment of the night. The audience was really moving at this point. I saw silver foxes, I saw kids, I saw yuppies all in unison just letting loose for these two mega hits. I ended up standing next to a man in a wheelchair. He was not going to let whatever was confining him to that chair keep him from really going for it. He was singing, he was pumping his fist, and he was moving all over that wheelchair.

The band left, but the crowd did not stop. Now people like to debate if encores are really necessary. We know they’re coming out. They still have big songs left to sing. It’s a debate that will go on until bands stop doing it I suppose. But when ZZ Top returned to the stage, and the audience roared their approval, no one seems to care what side of the debate they were on. The band was back on stage and everyone was excited.

Gibbons said, “Let’s play one of our very first album”. They broke into “Brown Sugar” which is on the album titled ZZ Top’s First Album . They followed “Brown Sugar” with “Tube Snake Boogie”. Gibbons told the crowd the band needed help and asked if everyone would sing along. Of course, they obliged and Red Butte Gardens boogied with ZZ Top.

There was no surprise to what was going to close the show. But the excitement was the same. Billy Gibbons said that they “were going to do that thing. I think y’all know that thing.” The crowd knew. And right then he started playing the riff from “La Grange”. It’s hard not to get into that song. Which would explain why all of Red Butte Gardens was so into the song. They used every last bit of energy they had. So they thought. The song came to a halt. Gibbons looked out into the cheering crowd and licked his fingers. Then he put his hand to his ear to listen to the crowd. As the audience reached their peak volume, ZZ Top started up again and played the song out.

There’s something special about seeing a band this legendary with this much history, and with this much of a footprint on American Rock Music. The show flew by, and some may have wanted a show longer than the crisp 75 minutes. But I heard all the songs I had hoped to, and I thought the band sounded fantastic. I look forward to their next visit to Utah.

2 Replies to “ZZ Top”

ZZ too at red Butte gardens is the best. Amazing music by a legendary band in a beautiful setting. Best ever!

Could not agree more!

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ZZ Top’s Busy 2022: New ‘Raw’ Album (With Original Lineup) and Tour

Gibbons explained, “The director suggested we find a way to illustrate the early style from the start of our five plus decades run. Gruene Hall was selected as a fitting backdrop to replicate the look of the band’s very beginnings. When we arrived, we were surprised to see that all our gear had been transported there so, as cameras rolled, we picked up the instruments and commenced an unplanned jam session. Fortunately, our stage engineers were on hand with tape machines in place to capture the performances that went down. That became, in essence, the soundtrack to the film and now it’s also an audio document of ZZ Top’s early beginnings.

RAW comes via Shelter Records/BMG on 180-gram vinyl, CD and through digital platforms and is dedicated “In righteous memory of Dusty Hill.” The liner notes were written by Gibbons and Beard.

Watch the official album teaser

As seen in the film, the band members played, for the most part, together within sight of each other in the course of one day. The methodology employed was something of an homage to the way ZZ Top recorded at the start of its epic five-plus decades run at the pinnacle of rock’s pantheon.”

ZZ Top 2022 (l. to r.): Frank Beard, Billy Gibbons, Elwood Francis

Gibbons served as producer with engineering by Jake Mann and Gary Moon; RAW was mixed by Ryan Hewitt. The album’s 12 tracks recall the very beginning of the band’s recording career (“Brown Sugar” and “Certified Blues” from ZZ Top’s First Album ) and include many of their major hits (“Legs,” “Tush,” “La Grange,” “Gimme All Your Lovin’”) with a definite blues skew (“Blue Jean Blues,” “Just Got Paid,” “I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide”) as well as some uptempo house rockers (“Tube Snake Boogie,” “Thunderbird”).

ZZ Top reached back to its very early days with “Brown Sugar,” penned by Billy F Gibbons, and not be mistaken for the Rolling Stones song of the same title, the latter of which was actually released three months after ZZ Top’s First Album .

“Tube Snake Boogie,” written by Gibbons, Hill and Beard, debuted in 1981 as part of ZZ Top’s El Loco album and is one of their most enduring in-concert favorites, typically provoking frenzied audience participation. Hill had characterized it as the ultimate “party song” while Gibbons credits Beard for getting it up and running. He noted, “It really revolves around Frank’s opening which is kind of surf-meets-jungle.” For his part, Beard credits his drum intro as having been inspired by Sandy Nelson’s classic percussion-driven instrumental “Teen Beat.”

RAW Track Listing

Brown Sugar Just Got Paid Heard It On The X La Grange Tush Thunderbird

Listen to “La Grange” from the album

I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide Gimme All Your Lovin’ Blue Jean Blues Certified Blues Tube Snake Boogie

Watch them perform “I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide”

The band are on their Raw Whisky Tour that will see them on stage in 50 markets across North America. The tour’s title is a hat tip to both the album as well as the recent release of ZZ Top Tres Hombres whisky from Balcones Distilling of Waco, Tex.

RAW Whisky 2022 Tour Dates (Tickets are available here  and here )

*With Jeff Beck

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Dusty will always be a part of ZZ Top, and missed!!RIP, brother, we still love you!

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Shippensburg University

Monday, May 13, 2024

Print Edition

Review: ZZ Top Rocks Shippensburg

ZZ Top performed at the Luhrs Performing Arts Center on Oct. 7 as part of their Raw Whisky Tour, which has been running since April and wraps up in December.

They had an incredible show, with 72-year-old vocalist/guitarist Billy Gibbons putting on a very solid, energetic performance. He was joined by long-time drummer Frank Beard and vocalist/bassist Elwood Francis, who took over last year after long-time bassist Dusty Hill passed away. Francis was a guitar tech for the band for over 30 years. He was a perfect fit, even sporting his own long beard.

The show began with an opening set from The Sedonas, a southern rock group based out of Knoxville, Tennessee. About half of the set was unreleased material, likely to appear on their upcoming album, “The ’79 Session,” releasing in December. They played for about 45 minutes and had a good performance, especially considering it was their first time opening for ZZ Top. 

ZZ Top took the stage at about 8:30, starting their performance with a bang by opening with “Got Me Under Pressure,” making sure to get the crowd energized right away. They continued to tear through their hits, including “Gimme All Your Lovin,” “Pearl Necklace” and “I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide.” 

After this sequence, Gibbons talked to the crowd about how ZZ Top has been touring for five decades, and then he grabbed a sign from a young fan in the front row. He read off the sign, which was a completed checklist of “First Concert,” “First Row” and “First time seeing ZZ Top.” This led to a large burst of applause from the crowd along with Gibbons giving the fan and their sibling a pair of guitar picks he used, which was a heartwarming moment for everyone.

They then continued with their set, including a cover of Merle Travis’ “Sixteen Tons” to add a hint of blues to the show. They finished off their initial set with a great back-to-back performance of “Sharp Dressed Man” and “Legs,” swapping out their guitars in between for fuzzy, all-white guitars for the final song. They then came back on stage about five minutes later for a three-song encore, featuring “Brown Sugar” and “Tube Snake Boogie” before closing the show with “La Grange.”

ZZ Top absolutely crushed their performance in Shippensburg. It was the same exact setlist they had been playing for the entire tour, so they were clearly comfortable with their flow. They kept the audience entertained for the entire 16-song performance and pulled out a few surprises with the guitar pick handouts and the guitar switches. It’s just impressive to see a trio of artists in their 70s putting on a powerful show like they did, and they made sure to tell the audience they don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.

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ZZ Top Announces Massive 2021-2022 Golden Anniversary Tour

By Andrew Magnotta @AndrewMagnotta

June 25, 2021

Texas blues-rock legends ZZ Top are making up for lost time over the next 11 months with an extensive North American tour, celebrating the band's 50th anniversary .

The tour, called 'A Celebration With ZZ Top,' begins next month, July 16, in Manchester, Iowa, and will boogie-woogie through the U.S. and Canada until wrapping up next May in Newfoundland.

ZZ Top's last in-person performance was on Valentine's Day 2020. The band was preparing to launch its anniversary tour when the pandemic shutdowns went into effect.

"They shut the door right after our 50th anniversary tour and now it's back open," bassist Dusty Hill said in a press release. "We're excited to get out there and play our music for everybody."

Drummer Frank Beard added that the band has never been more eager to get back on the road, and it shows with more than 75 dates on the books.

"To say we're looking forward to getting back out on the road and performing in front of real people is the understatement of the last 16 months, if not the century," Beard said.

See all the tour dates below! For tickets and more information, go here .

ZZ Top 50th Anniversary Tour - 2021

Jul. 16 - Manchester, IA - Delaware County Fair

Jul. 17 - Mt Pleasant, MI - Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort

Jul. 18 - Louisville, KY - Waterfront Park

Jul. 21 - Evansville, IN - Ford Center

Jul. 23 - New Lenox, IL - Village Commons

Jul. 24 - Goshen, IN - Elkhart County 4-H Fair

Jul. 25 - Corbin, KY - Corbin Arena

Jul. 28 - Simpsonville, SC - CCNB Amphitheatre at Heritage Park

Jul. 30 - Tuscaloosa, AL - Tuscaloosa Amphitheater

Jul. 31 - Valdosta, GA - Wild Adventures

Aug. 01 - Brandon, MS - Brandon Amphitheater

Aug. 03 - Little Rock, AR - First Security Amphitheater

Aug. 04 - Alexandria, LA - Rapides Paris Coliseum

Aug. 06 - Camdenton, MO - Lake Ozarks Amphitheatre

Aug. 07 - Washington, MO - Washington Town & Country Fair

Aug. 08 - Bonner Springs, KS - Azura Amphitheater

Aug. 11 - Sturgis, SD - Buffalo Chip Campground

Aug. 12 - Casper, WY - Casper Events Center

Aug. 14 - Reno, NV - Reno Ballroom - Silver Legacy Casino

Aug. 15 - Grande Ronde, OR - Spirit Mountain Casino

Aug. 17 - Jacksonville, OR - Britt Pavilion

Aug. 19 - Maryville, WA - Tulalip Amphitheater

Aug. 20 - Lewiston, ID - Clearwater River Casino

Aug. 21 - Missoula, MT - KettleHouse Amphitheater

Aug. 24 - Englewood, CO - Fiddler's Green Amphitheater

Sep. 11 - Milwaukee, WI - Summerfest – Henry Maier Festival Park

Sep. 12 - Cincinnati, OH - PNC Pavilion at Riverbend Music Center

Sep. 14 - Huber Heights, OH – Rose Music Center at The Heights

Sep. 15 - Cedar Rapids, IA – Alliant Energy PowerHouse

Sep. 17 - Council Bluffs, IA – Stir Cover at Harrah's Casino

Sep. 18 - Pryor, OK - Born & Raised Festival

Sep. 19 - Memphis, TN - Orpheum Theatre

Sep. 21 - Charleston, WV - Charleston Coliseum

Sep. 22 - Doswell, VA - Meadow Event Park

Sep. 23 - Frederick, MD - Frederick Fairgrounds

Sep. 25 - Watertown, NY - Watertown Fairgrounds Baseball Diamond

Sep. 26 - Bethel, NY - Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

Sep. 28 - North Charleston, SC - North Charleston Performing Arts Center

Sep. 30 - Macon, GA - Macon City Auditorium @ The Macon Centreplex

Oct. 01 - Tupelo, MS - BancorpSouth Arena

Oct. 02 - Lake Charles, LA - Golden Nugget

Oct. 04 - Fort Worth, TX - Dickies Arena

Oct. 08 - Las Vegas, NV - The Venetian Theatre

Oct. 09 - Las Vegas, NV - The Venetian Theatre

Oct. 10 - Scottsdale, AZ - Talking Stick Resort

Oct. 13 - Las Vegas, NV - The Venetian Theatre

Oct. 15 - Las Vegas, NV - The Venetian Theatre

Oct. 16 - Las Vegas, NV - The Venetian Theatre

Nov. 06 - Key West, FL - Key West Amphitheater

Nov. 09 - Tampa, FL - Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

Nov. 11 - Orlando, FL - Hard Rock International

Nov. 13 - Fort Myers, FL - Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall

Nov. 14 - Jacksonville, FL - Florida Theatre

Nov. 16 - Melbourne, FL - King Center for the Performing Arts

Nov. 17 - Savannah, GA - Johnny Mercer Theater

Nov. 20 - Wilmington, NC - Cape Fear Community College

Nov. 21- Durham, NC - Durham Performing Arts Center

Nov. 23 - Chattanooga, TN - Tivoli Theatre

Nov. 27 - Lubbock, TX - Buddy Holly Center

Nov. 28 - Lubbock, TX - Buddy Holly Center

Dec. 03 - Biloxi, MS - IP Casino Resort and Hotel

Dec. 04 - Shreveport, LA - Municipal Auditorium

Dec. 05 - Wichita Falls, TX - Memorial Auditorium

Dec. 07 - Abilene, TX - Taylor County Coliseum

Dec. 11 - El Paso, TX - Abraham Chavez Theatre

Dec. 12 - Midland, TX - Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center

ZZ Top 50th Anniversary Tour - 2022

Apr. 23 - Abborsford, BC - Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre

Apr. 24 - Penticton, BC - South Okanagen Events Centre

Apr. 26 - Kamloops, BC - Sandman Centre

Apr. 27 - Lethbridge, AB - ENMAX Centre

Apr. 29 - Saskatoon, SK - SaskTel Center

Apr. 30 - Enoch, AB - River Cree Resort & Casino

May 03 - Brandon, MB - Keystone Centre

May 04 - Niagara Falls, ON - Fallsview Casino Resort

May 08 - Laval, QC - Place Bell

May 10 - Halifax, NS - Halifax Scotiabank Centre

May 13 - St. John's, NL - Mile One Centre

May 14 - St. John's, NL - Mile One Centre

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ZZ Top Announce Massive 2021-2022 North American Tour

The legendary Texas trio will play more than 60 shows from this summer through next spring

Rock legends ZZ Top are making up for lost time on the road with a massive North American tour that will kick off this summer and extend all the way into 2022. Overall, the band has more than 60 shows lined up through next spring.

Forever road dogs, ZZ Top have been rearing to play shows again since performing their last gig on Valentine’s Day of 2020, right before the pandemic shut down the concert industry. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band’s extensive 2021 tour kicks off with a July 16th date at the Delaware County Fair and runs through a December 12th show in Midland, Texas. After a break, the Texas trio will embark on a spring 2022 Canadian tour with support from Cheap Trick.

Singer-bassist Dusty Hill commented, “They shut the door right after our 50th anniversary tour and now it’s back open. We’re excited to get out there and play our music for everybody.”

Drummer Frank Beard added, “To say we’re looking forward to getting back out on the road and performing in front of real people is the understatement of the last 16 months, if not the century.”

And singer-guitarist Billy Gibbons exclaimed, “ZZ is coming on strong. Let’s get it!”

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Tickets for most dates are on sale now via Ticketmaster . For shows that sell out or don’t have tickets in your preferred section, visit StubHub .

See the full list of ZZ Top tour dates below.

ZZ Top 2021-2022 North American Tour Dates: 07/16 – Manchester, IA @ Delaware County Fair 07/17 – Mt Pleasant, MI @ Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort 07/18 – Louisville, KY @ Waterfront Park 07/21 – Evansville, IN @ Ford Center 07/23 – New Lenox, IL @ Village Commons 07/24 – Goshen, IN @ Elkhart County 4-H Fair 07/25 – Corbin, KY @ Corbin Arena 07/28 – Simpsonville, SC @ CCNB Amphitheatre at Heritage Park 07/30 – Tuscaloosa, AL @ Tuscaloosa Amphitheater 07/31 – Valdosta, GA @ Wild Adventures 08/01 – Brandon, MS @ Brandon Amphitheater 08/03 – Little Rock, AR @ First Security Amphitheater 08/04 – Alexandria, LA @ Rapides Paris Coliseum 08/06 – Camdenton, MO @ Lake Ozarks Amphitheatre 08/07 – Washington, MO @ Washington Town & Country Fair 08/08 – Bonner Springs, KS @ Azura Amphitheater 08/11 – Sturgis, SD @ Buffalo Chip Campground 08/12 – Casper, WY @ Casper Events Center 08/14 – Reno, NV @ Reno Ballroom – Silver Legacy Casino 08/15 – Grande Ronde, OR @ Spirit Mountain Casino 08/17 – Jacksonville, OR @ Britt Pavilion 08/19 – Maryville, WA @ Tulalip Amphitheater 08/20 – Lewiston, ID @ Clearwater River Casino 08/21 – Missoula, MT @ KettleHouse Amphitheater 08/24 – Englewood, CO @ Fiddler’s Green Amphitheater 09/11 – Milwaukee, WI @ Summerfest – Henry Maier Festival Park 09/12 – Cincinnati, OH @ PNC Pavilion at Riverbend Music Center 09/14 – Huber Heights, OH @ Rose Music Center at The Heights 09/15 – Cedar Rapids, IA @ Alliant Energy PowerHouse 09/17 – Council Bluffs, IA @ Stir Cover at Harrah’s Casino 09/18 – Pryor, OK @ Born & Raised Festival 09/19 – Memphis, TN @ Orpheum Theatre 09/21 – Charleston, WV @ Charleston Coliseum 09/22 – Doswell, VA @ Meadow Event Park 09/23 – Frederick, MD @ Frederick Fairgrounds 09/25 – Watertown, NY @ Watertown Fairgrounds Baseball Diamond 09/26 – Bethel, NY @ Bethel Woods Center for the Arts 09/28 – North Charleston, SC @ North Charleston Performing Arts Center 09/30 – Macon, GA @ Macon City Auditorium @ The Macon Centreplex 10/01 – Tupelo, MS @ BancorpSouth Arena 10/02 – Lake Charles, LA @ Golden Nugget 10/04 – Fort Worth, TX @ Dickies Arena 10/08 – Las Vegas, NV @ The Venetian Theatre 10/09 – Las Vegas, NV @ The Venetian Theatre 10/10 – Scottsdale, AZ @ Talking Stick Resort 10/13 – Las Vegas, NV @ The Venetian Theatre 10/15 – Las Vegas, NV @ The Venetian Theatre 10/16 – Las Vegas, NV @ The Venetian Theatre 11/06 – Key West, FL @ Key West Amphitheater 11/09 – Tampa, FL @ Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino 11/11 – Orlando, FL @ Hard Rock International 11/13 – Fort Myers, FL @ Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall 11/14 – Jacksonville, FL @ Florida Theatre 11/16 – Melbourne, FL @ King Center for the Performing Arts 11/17 – Savannah, GA @ Johnny Mercer Theater 11/20 – Wilmington, NC @ Cape Fear Community College 11/21 – Durham, NC @ Durham Performing Arts Center 11/23 – Chattanooga, TN @ Tivoli Theatre 11/27 – Lubbock, TX @ Buddy Holly Center 11/28 – Lubbock, TX @ Buddy Holly Center 12/03 – Biloxi, MS @ IP Casino Resort and Hotel 12/04 – Shreveport, LA @ Municipal Auditorium 12/05 – Wichita Falls, TX @ Memorial Auditorium 12/07 – Abilene, TX @ Taylor County Coliseum 12/11 – El Paso, TX @ Abraham Chavez Theatre 12/12 – Midland, TX @ Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center 04/23 – Abborsford, BC @ Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre * 04/24 – Penticton, BC @ South Okanagen Events Centre * 04/26 – Kamloops, BC @ Sandman Centre * 04/27 – Lethbridge, AB @ ENMAX Centre * 04/29 – Saskatoon, SK @ SaskTel Center * 04/30 – Enoch, AB @ River Cree Resort & Casino * 05/03 – Brandon, MB @ Keystone Centre * 05/04 – Niagara Falls, ON @ Fallsview Casino Resort * 05/08 – Laval, QC @ Place Bell * 05/10 – Halifax, NS @ Halifax Scotiabank Centre * 05/13 – St. John’s, NL @ Mile One Centre * 05/14 – St. John’s, NL @ Mile One Centre *

* = w/ Cheap Trick

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Premier Theater, Foxwoods Casino October 15, 2022

ZZ Top took to the stage at the Premier Theater at Foxwoods and a packed house. Many fans have eagerly awaited the return of the band to the area. I admit I was not sure what to expect since a key member of the band, Dusty Hill bassist, had passed away. I wondered if they were still going to pull it off in the Little Ol’ Band From Texas fashion. I was pleasantly surprised and happy that Elwood Francis on bass, who stepped in to complete the band once again is a welcome addition. Francis and Billy Gibbons seemed right in sync with one another and having seen ZZ Top in the past, a bit reenergized.

It could be that with Hill gone the band felt the need to step it up a bit or maybe it’s the chemistry between Billy GIbbons, Frank Beard and Elwood Francis that is the key, I’m not sure but whatever it is it works and they put on a great performance at Foxwoods.

The night was a typical ZZ Top performance in one respect and that’s that they played the usually most requested songs and have them down. After all the band has been playing 5 decades so there were no big changes in the lineup of songs. Although I did here one man behind me yelling for “Cheap Sunglasses,” which the band did not choose for their setlist this night. Poor guy he seemed to really want to hear that song.

The band started out with “Got Me Under Pressure” to get the crowd revved up the followed it with the bluesy “I Thank You” before launching into the rest of the well known lineup. The crowd sang the chorus in “I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide” at Gibbons’ urging.

All in all the band that never changed much has changed a bit with the addition of Elwood but it is a good fit, especially for those who thought without Dusty Hill they couldn’t be the same. Well they are not the same, just different, but it’s a good fit and if you get the chance you should take in a concert.

Austin Meade opened for ZZ Top and I really liked their sound. They are from Texas as well, although a few years younger. They were energetic and played a variety or rock songs in their set. I have never seen them before but would again. If you get the chance give them a listen or take in one of their live shows.

Review by Donna Erichsen Photos by George Bekris

More photos of the concert can be found at ZZ Top 2022

Got Me Under Pressure I Thank You Waitin’ for the Bus Jesus Just Left Chicago Gimme All Your Lovin’ Pearl Necklace I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide I Gotsta Get Paid My Head’s in Mississippi Sixteen Tons Just Got Paid Sharp Dressed Man Legs

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ZZ Top Brings ‘Raw Whisky’ Tour to Ohio: Photo Gallery

ZZ Top made their first appearance at Willie Nelson 's 2022 Outlaw Music Festival last night, delighting the crowd at Ohio's Blossom Music Center with their unique blend of rock and blues.

You can see exclusive photos from the show below.

Singer and guitarist Billy Gibbons was in a particularly playful mood, delivering impromptu solos between songs on several occasions. "We just make it up as we go along," he explained at one point, before openly wishing the venue's gates could be locked so the party didn't have to end.

Elwood Francis, who joined the band after the July 2021 death of longtime bassist Dusty Hill, proved to be a perfect fit in terms of both music and facial hair. "That's not a glue-on beard, either!" Gibbons joked during the band introductions.

In a recent interview, Gibbons credited Francis, who was the band's longtime guitar tech and Hill's handpicked replacement, for breathing new life into ZZ Top . "He's adding a great bit of enthusiasm," Gibbons enthused. "When I see [drummer] Frank Beard smiling for the first time in 30 years, I know something good's happening."

The band's 75-minute set was of course heavy on big hits such as "Sharp Dressed Man" and "La Grange," but they also found time for more obscure tracks like "I Gotsta Get Paid" and a cover of the folk classic "Sixteen Tons."

After touring as part of Nelson's Outlaw Music Festival for the next couple of weeks, ZZ Top will spend much of the rest of 2022 on a headlining tour . They recently released Raw , an impromptu "live in the studio" album recorded with Hill on bass during the filming of their 2019 documentary That Little Ol' Band From Texas .

ZZ Top Live 2022

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ZZ Top announce new live album Raw and share 2022 tour details

Raw, the soundtrack behind ZZ Top's 2019 Netflix documentary That Little Ol' Band From Texas, is getting an official release

ZZ Top have announced a new live album, titled Raw. The live recording was the soundtrack behind the band's 2019 Grammy-nominated Netflix documentary  That Little Ol' Band From Texas.

Raw additionally serves as one of their final live albums with bassist Dusty Hill, who passed away in 2021. 

The album is scheduled for release on July 22 via Shelter Records/BMG, and is dedicated "in righteous memory of Dusty."

Directed by Sam Dunn and released by Banger Films, the Netflix documentary features the classic ZZ Top lineup of Billy Gibbons, Frank Beard and the late Dusty. It captures the trio performing inside "the oldest continually run dance hall in Texas" in Gruene Hall. The album was conceived from this particular intimate and "raw" performance.

"It was, in a very real way, a return to our roots," said frontman Billy Gibbons and drummer Frank Beard in a joint statement. "Just us and the music, no audience of thousands, no concession stands, no parking lot social hour, no phalanx of tour busses. Just us and the music. We knew right then it was a very special circumstance, all of us in the same place at the same time and what a time it most certainly was!

"It was as bare-bones as when we first started touring in a behemoth Chrysler station wagon, driving vast stretches between those early far-flung shows under blackened Texas skies and first hearing our records on the radio. We were bonded as brothers.

"'The Dust' may have left the building but he's still very much with us," they conclude.

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ZZ Top have also announced that they will be heading off on tour this May, with bassist Elwood Francis replacing Hill. The first leg of the Raw Whiskey tour will start from May 6 in Niagara Falls. Further dates will be announced soon.

Find out the dates announced so far below:

ZZ Top 2022 tour dates:

May 06: Fallsview Casino Resort Niagara Falls, ON May 29: Vina Robles Amphitheatre Paso Robles, CA Jun 01: Redding Civic Auditorium Redding, CA Jun 02: The Mountain Winery Saratoga, CA Jun 05: Britt Pavilion Jacksonville, OR Jun 07: Hayden Homes Amphitheater Bend, OR Jun 08: Wine Country Amphitheater Walla Walla, WA Jun 09: First Interstate Center for the Arts Spokane, WA Jun 12: MetraPark – First Interstate Arena Billings, MT Jun 14: Las Colonias Park Amphitheater Grand Junction, CO Jun 17: Casino Del Sol's AVA Amphitheater Tucson, AZ Jun 19: Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts Colorado Springs, CO Jun 21: Budweiser Events Center Loveland, CO Jun 22: Fonner Park Heartland Events Center Grand Island, NE Jun 24: Hartman Arena Park City, KS Jun 25: Zoo Amphitheatre Oklahoma City, OK Jun 26: First Security Amphitheater Little Rock, AR Jun 29: Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion Rogers, AR Jul 01: Toledo Zoo & Aquarium Amphitheater Toledo, OH Jul 02: Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill Sterling Heights, MI Jul 05: Foellinger Theater Fort Wayne, IN Jul 09: Greenville Lion's Park Greenville, WI Jul 22: Leader Bank Pavilion Boston, MA Jul 23: Watertown Fairgrounds Baseball Diamond Watertown, NY Aug 27: Beaver Dam Amphitheater Beaver Dam, KY

Raw tracklisting:

Side 1 01. Brown Sugar 02. Just Got Paid 03. Heard It On The X 04. La Grange 05. Tush 06. Thunderbird

Side 2 01. I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide 02. Gimme All Your Lovin' 03. Blue Jean Blues 04. Certified Blues 05. Tube Snake Boogie

Liz works on keeping the Louder sites up to date with the latest news from the world of rock and metal. Prior to joining Louder as a full time staff writer, she completed a Diploma with the National Council for the Training of Journalists and received a First Class Honours Degree in Popular Music Journalism. She enjoys writing about anything from neo-glam rock to stoner, doom and progressive metal, and loves celebrating women in music.

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Tag: ZZ Top concert review

Live: zz top – elkhart county fairgrounds – elkhart, in – july 24, 2021.

I did not expect my first live concert experience post-pandemic to be a show by rock legends ZZ Top , nor did I expect it to be at a county fairgrounds not even an hour’s drive from my house, but the pandemic taught us to expect the unexpected – so I should probably just shut up and get on with reviewing the fun show.

We got to the fair in plenty of time before the show. Our seats were folding chairs on the dirt track where the annual demolition derby is held, as well as other events. There’s also grandstand seating that was probably less crowded and and not muddy – as it had rained earlier that day.

It also rained again, to the point where the show had to be delayed an hour due to the deluge that hit the fair. ZZ Top, minus Dusty Hill , who was home in Texas recovering from a hip injury, took the stage “on time.” Hill was replaced on bass by one of their long-serving guitar techs, Elwood Francis , and he did a fine job. They opened with “Under Pressure,” which is even fuzzier live, rivaling Billy Gibbons ‘ epic beard.

It’s sometimes easy to forget how good of a guitarist Gibbons is. He can play anything from blues to psychedelic rock to garage rock. Frank Beard still chops behind a massive drum kit that had an impressive amount of customization on it.

Another impressive thing was the production sound and quality of the show. ZZ Top has a top-notch crew. Most, if not all, of Gibbons’ guitar effects were done remotely off-stage by the crew of with this weird-looking thing on stage left.

The show was a “greatest hits” set that also included a fun version of Merle Travis ‘ “Sixteen Tons.” The tour is their 50th anniversary tour, and “Sharp Dressed Man” and “Legs” were, of course, big hits with the crowd. I’d hoped for “TV Dinners,” but alas, it wasn’t meant to be. They did break out the monster fur guitars, however.

It was a fun night, and Dusty Hill died just a few days later. Gibbons and Beard have stated they will continue touring and making music, as it was Hill’s wish that they would.

Keep your mind open.

[Don’t forget to subscribe before you split.]

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ZZ Top at the Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre in Sterling Heights, MI

Three sharp-dressed men, a.k.a. the power trio ZZ Top, have arrived to the Motor City to deliver a little “Tube Snake Boogie.”

Formed in 1969, that little ol’ band from Texas, formally known as ZZ Top , is celebrating 51 years of beards, brews, and raunchy Texas blues this year with a massive national tour, the Raw Whiskey Tour .  Although founding member “The Dust“ Dusty Hill, passed recently in 2021, the band still carries the torch forward as they track across the nation. The trio (with bassist Elwood Francis, longtime band guitar tech, taking Dusty‘s position) have made a stop at the Michigan Lottery Amphitheater. They arrive to a packed outdoor venue, full of excited ZZ fans sporting concert swag from across the decades. A large sign can be seen high in the lawn section that reads “We Miss You Dusty!“

8:30pm, and showtime has arrived. House music is cut abruptly and a dramatic pause ensues as Billy Gibbons, Frank Beard, and Elwood Francis step onto the main stage. A roaring crowd provides a standing ovation for the threesome. Billy‘s infectious grin creeps across his face as he straps on his custom-made, aqua blue Telecaster. “Got Me Under Pressure” blasts through the sound system without hesitation, and this crowd is electrified. Their sound is crispy, raw, gritty, and undeniably ZZ Top. The band transitions into the Sam and Dave cover “I Thank You,” followed by “Waitin for the Bus” then “Jesus Just Left Chicago.” Elwood and Billy join forces center stage and do a bit of synchronized rock-star dips that has the crowd cheering for this tasteful ode to “The Dust.” “Gimme All Your Lovin'” comes next and the entire amphitheater sings along with that ever-so-famous chorus line. It must be noted that Elwood Francis does a great job of keeping that baseline tight in the pocket with Beard’s thunderous kick foot. Gibbons’ golden guitar tone melts through that magnificent wall of Magnatone amps, with an absolute HUGE presence that is crunchy and full of ZZ goodness! “Pearl Necklace” is next and Billy steps to the mic and says, “Are we having a good time? And yes, I’m sure you told your mother what that song meant.“

Hits spanning decades keep rolling with “I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide,” “I Gotsta Get Paid,” “My Head‘s in Mississippi,” and the Merle Travis cover, “Sixteen Tons.” We see a tech hand Billy the uber-famous relic, his precious Les Paul “Miss Pearly Gates“ as well as a glass slide. While Elwood swaps to a double-neck guitar, BG steps to the mic, and with that unmistakable Texas growl says, “Time to slip and slide!” Gibbons rips through some impromptu blues licks before launching into “Just Got Paid.” “Sharp Dressed Man” comes next and Billy introduces the tune with “We can’t let the night go by without doing one of my favorites!“ Techs return and place the furry Bo Diddley Box guitars into EF and BG’s hands and the duo fire into “Legs,” giving the full furry ZZ treatment as the fans sing along with Gibbons. The last note rings out and Billy smiles as he points randomly to crowd members. The lights dim and the crowd responds with a “hungry for more“ applause. The trio obliges, and return with “Brown Sugar,” “Tube Snake Boogie,” and they close the night on the timeless masterpiece, “La Grange.” 

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ZZ Top Brought their “Raw Whisky Tour” to Saint Louis Thursday

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–by Sean Derrick

That little Ol’ band from Texas, ZZ Top, made their first official stop in Saint Louis Thursday since the unfortunate death of founding bassist Dusty Hill last year. They did play at the Washington Fair in August of last year just after Hill’s passing, but that was an hour away and an already scheduled appearance. Thursday was the first for Saint Louis as a post-Dusty show from the start.

The band relied heavily on their older catalogue, with only one song after 1990’s Recycler album, 2012’s “I Gotsta Get Paid”. Everything else was from 1983 or earlier.

They came out to the rockin’ “Got Me Under Pressure” from 1983’s mega hit album Eliminator. With only one song to shoot the band from the soundboard I was put under pressure to get enough shots for this review. Challenge accepted.

From the moment the lights went down the audience was itching to see how Hill’s replacement would fare (Including me). The remaining members of guitarist/vocalist Billy Gibbons and drummer Frank Beard said Hill told them before he died that the show must go on. In stepped Elwood Francis, Gibbons’ longtime guitar tech to fill the void.

The addition paid off internally for the band as they saw it as a perfect fit. Francis even grew a beard, quickly (yep, that’s his real hair), and seemed to have rejuvenated Gibbons and Beard. Beard, who at times at past shows has been reportedly viewed as “going through the motions” did seem more active than past shows. Gibbons was his usual joking self with the crowd and seemed to bring in a new dimension to his solos.

Francis set his own style, while trying to emulate Hill’s. Sure, he did the occasional “sway” with Gibbons or the “knee wobble”, much to the roar of the crowd, but largely the two stayed away from the motioned choreography that was a trademark for the band for much of their 50 plus years.

Francis did spins on one leg and slapped the neck of his bass at times, showing off his ability as not just a fill in. The big difference, however, comes from the strumming style. Whereas Francis uses a pick, emitting a sharper tone with each note, Hill used his fingers, all of them, usually in rapid succession when needed to provide a fill during Gibbon’s runs. It did provide a fuller sound, something that (no disrespect to Francis at all) cannot be duplicated on bass using a pick. So that was the main difference in the sound of the show. Unless Francis adapts that fingered approach, which is not easy to do, the sound will be changed.

But maybe that is what they want. Francis is a new member, he is not Dusty Hill, nor is he trying to be, out of respect for Hill. For fans: if you understand that simple concept it is much easier to enjoy the show than to try to judge Francis because he “doesn’t sound like Dusty”. No one really can.

It is easier to watch the band feel lively again even while performing the same songs they have been playing for decades. Songs like “Sharp Dressed Man” and “Just Got Paid” sounded new because of the differing techniques. Others, like “My Head’s in Mississippi” and “I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide” were not really noticeable.

Overall, it was a good show, lots of classic ZZ Top songs for a feel-good night, even if the crowd was smaller than when they usually play next door at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre. Hopefully more fans will give this version of ZZ Top a chance, they still know how to rock.

Nashville based Goodbye June opened the show with a 45-minute bluesy hard rock performance that involved great riffs and catchy rhythms, much in a style reminiscent of early AC/DC, especially on tracks “Three Chords” and “See Where the Night Goes”. They seemed a perfect fit to open for ZZ Top.

Be sure to check out the rest of the photo gallery below the setlist.

ZZ Top Setlist

Got Me Under Pressure

I Thank You

Waitin’ for the Bus

Jesus Just Left Chicago

Gimme All Your Lovin’

PearlNecklace

I’m bad, I’m Nationwide

I Gotsta Get Paid

My Head’s in Mississippi

Sixteen Tons

Just Got Paid

Sharp Dressed man

Brown Sugar

Tube Snake Boogie

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Live Review: ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd @ Merriweather Post Pavilion — 9/2/23

The Sharp Dressed Simple Man Tour Featuring Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, Maryland Sept. 2, 2023

A clear blue sky and warm sunshine were over head at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia Maryland, and southern rock royalty, Lynyrd Skynyrd were in town to continue the Sharp Dressed Simple Man tour with Texas blues trio ZZ Top.

Uncle Kracker started the evening with a friendly, easy going seven song set. Songs like “Nobody’s Sad on a Saturday Night” and a cover of Kid Rock’s “All Summer Long” got the crowd in the mood to party and listen to music. These songs were followed by his biggest solo hit “Follow Me.”

With “When the Sun Goes Down” by Kenny Chesney, Uncle Kracker let everyone in the audience know it is “Good to Be Me” and to “Smile.” He closed his set with a cover of “Drift Away” by Dobie Gray and then he graciously thanked the fans and the stage crew as he left the stage.

Following the opening set by Uncle Kracker and his band, the Lynyrd Skynyrd band hit the stage to loud cheers and whistles from the crowd.

Formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1964 as My Backyard, the band changed their name to the more familiar Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1969 and released their first album in 1973. The band released five studio albums and one live album before tragically losing their guiding force and frontman, Ronnie Van Zant, in a plane crash in 1977. Along with Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines, his sister and back up singer Cassie Gaines as well as their assistant road manager and the two pilots lost their lives that horrible day. The rest of the band were terribly injured, and it didn’t look like the band could continue afterwards.

But the band reformed in 1987 for a reunion tour with Ronnie’s brother Johnny handling the lead vocals. The band toured with the surviving members as a tribute to those they lost.

Over the years, the surviving original members began to pass away. This tour is Skynyrd’s first full tour since original guitarist and last surviving original member Gary Rossington died in March of this year.

Currently, the band consists of Johnnie Van Zant on lead vocals, Ricky Medlocke (at one time an early member of Skynyrd and the band Blackfoot) along with Damon Johnson (Brother Cane, Dark Star Riders), and Mark Matejka on guitars. The rhythm section is made up of drummer Michael Cartellone (Damn Yankees) and bassist Keith Christopher. Peter Keys handles keyboards and backing vocals are provided by the Honkettes.

Over the course of the evening, the band showcased nearly all the big hits from their heyday that their fans love and expect to hear, during the 14-song set.

The band played rockers like “What’s Your Name” and the cautionary “That Smell” to a slower tempo mid section consisting of “The Ballad of Curtis Loew,” “Tuesday’s Gone,” and “Simple Man” before finishing with the uptempo songs “Gimme Three Steps,” JJ Cale’s “Call Me The Breeze,” and “Sweet Home Alabama.”

Holding his flag draped microphone stand, Johnny graciously thanked all the fans for coming out to the show.

Of course, the band couldn’t leave the venue without playing their signature classic, “Free Bird,” and they duly gave the fans what they came to hear.

Watch Lynyrd Skynyrd perform “Free Bird” live in 1977 via YouTube:

A large mirrored ball hung from the ceiling, reflecting beams of light, as Skynyrd tore through the rousing number until its breathless climax and the crowd stood and cheered wildly.

Although none of the original members are still with us, the Free Bird still flies high.

1. Workin’ for MCA 2. Skynyrd Nation 3. What’s Your Name 4. That Smell 5. I Know a Little 6. Whiskey Rock-a-Roller 7. Saturday Night Special 8. The Ballad of Curtis Loew 9. Tuesday’s Gone 10. Simple Man 11. Gimme Three Steps 12. Call Me the Breeze 13. Sweet Home Alabama

Encore: 14. Free Bird

Here are some photos of Lynyrd Skynyrd performing at Merriweather Post Pavilion on Sept. 2, 2023. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Mike Sprouse / Odd Rocker Photography.

That lil’ ol’ trio from Texas, ZZ Top, followed up the southern rock of Lynyrd Skynyrd, with some tasty, southern fried blues. Vocalist and guitarist Billy Gibbons started their 16-song set with “Got Me Under Pressure” from their monster early ’80s Eliminator album and didn’t hold back.

The blue based jams of “I Thank You,” “Waitin’ for the Bus,” and “Jesus Just Left Chicago” shared space with the guitar synth based “Gimme All Your Lovin’” and the tongue in cheek “Pearl Necklace,” a tale of a lovely girl with simple tastes.

Billy sang the boastful “I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide” and let the raucous Saturday night audience know who was large and in charge. Then the Reverend Willie G and his mighty six string told the crowd “I Gotsta Get Paid” and “My Head’s in Mississippi,” and no one doubted him in the least.

A cover of the old school classic “Sixteen Tons” followed and then the power duo of “Sharp Dressed Man” and “Legs” brought the curtain down.

After leaving the stage to change into sparkly red jackets, Billy and bassist Elwood Francis returned to the stage, along with their one and only rhythmic and powerful drummer, Frank Beard, for the night’s encore.

First up was an old gem from the one that started it all, ZZ Top’s First Album; the tasty “Brown Sugar” (not to be confused with the Stones song of the same name) and the Reverend gave the six strings of his beat up looking guitar a real dirty work out.

The band followed that classic with an even dirtier one, the good ol’ “Tube Snake Boogie.” Boogie-woogie baby, all night long.

Finally, it was time for everyone to visit that home full of nice girls out on the range, in “La Grange.” A how-how-how, indeed!

Watch ZZ Top perform “La Grange” live from Gruene Hall via YouTube:

Billy, Frank and Elwood never fail to get the adoring crowd boogieing in the aisles, so here’s to them and another 50 years of the dirty and delicious Texas blues!

1. Got Me Under Pressure 2. I Thank You 3. Waitin’ for the Bus 4. Jesus Just Left Chicago 5. Gimme All Your Lovin’ 6. Pearl Necklace 7. I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide 8. I Gotsta Get Paid 9. My Head’s in Mississippi 10. Sixteen Tons 11. Just Got Paid 12. Sharp Dressed Man 13. Legs

Encore 14. Brown Sugar 15. Tube Snake Boogie 16. La Grange

Here are some photos of ZZ Top performing at Merriweather Post Pavilion on Sept. 2, 2023. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Mike Sprouse / Odd Rocker Photography.

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Talor Gooch of LIV Golf gets a special invitation to the PGA Championship

Talor Gooch, of Smash GC, hits during the second round of LIV Golf Singapore at Sentosa Golf Club, Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Sentosa, Singapore. (LIV Golf via AP)

David Puig of Fireballs GC hits his shot from the eighth tee during the first round of LIV Golf Singapore at Sentosa Golf Club in Sentosa, Singapore, Friday, May 3, 2024. (Chris Trotman/LIV Golf via AP)

Patrick Reed reacts after missing a putt on the 18th hole during final round at the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club Sunday, April 14, 2024, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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Talor Gooch of LIV Golf gets to play in at least one major this year. He announced Monday on social media that he received an invitation to play in the PGA Championship next week.

The PGA of America is not expected to release the full field until Tuesday as it waits to hear back from all the players who were offered invitations for Valhalla.

Gooch’s invitation is significant because he rarely plays outside the LIV Golf schedule. His invitation was based purely on his performance in the Saudi-funded league. Gooch won three times on LIV last year and won its points list.

Kerry Haigh, the championship director at the PGA of America, has said the last two years that the committee would consider players from tours all over the world.

“We look at all lists,” Haigh said in March. “If players are deserving, hopefully we would invite them.”

The PGA of America last month said Joaquin Niemann had received an invitation. Niemann also received a special invitation to the Masters — Augusta National cited his victory in the Australian Open without mentioning his LIV victory in February.

Gooch said last week in Singapore he had no intention of joining more than 30 LIV players who plan on trying to qualify for the U.S. Open. LIV events do not offer world ranking points, and he has fallen to No. 644 in the world.

Gooch had only one PGA Tour title before bolting for rival LIV in 2022.

He has been among the more outspoken players in LIV, once comparing a team victory to the Ryder Cup. He said earlier this year that if Rory McIlroy were to win the Masters and complete the career Grand Slam, it would have to come with an asterisk because of all the LIV players not in the Masters field.

Gooch currently is No. 8 in the LIV Golf standings, with two top-5 finishes in eight tournaments this year in the league of 54 players competing over 54 holes.

He played in three majors last year, tying for 34th in the Masters and missing the 36-hole cut in the PGA Championship and the British Open.

David Puig of Spain also is likely to receive an invitation, more from his play outside LIV Golf. Puig has won twice on the Asian Tour and has three other finishes in the top 5 in the last year.

Other LIV players under consideration are Louis Oosthuizen and Dean Burmester, who each won twice in South Africa late last year in tournaments co-sanctioned by the European tour.

The PGA Championship is known for having the strongest fields among the four majors. It traditionally invites everyone from the top 100 in the world, though that isn’t part of the published criteria. Among those in the top 100 this week is Patrick Reed, who has played in every major dating to the 2014 Masters.

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf