ZZ Top
Streaming now
About ZZ Top
Formed by vocalist/guitarist Billy Gibbons, drummer Frank Beard, and bassist/vocalist Dusty Hill, ZZ Top are best known for their signature blues and rhythm section sound, tongue-in-cheek lyrics, and iconic fashion/style choices. The American rock band entered the spotlight in the late 60s, releasing their debut album ‘ZZ Top’s First Album’ two years later. The albums ‘Tres Hombres’ and ‘Fandango!’, well-known singles ‘La Grange’ and ‘Tush’, and their Worldwide Texas Tour strengthened their commercial and critical success in the US throughout the 70s.
In 1981, the collective adopted a new wave, punk, dance-rock musical direction and new look, with Gibbons and Hill sporting sunglasses and matching chest-length beards. Experimenting with synthesizers and drum machines, ZZ Top crossed international waters with the albums ‘Eliminator’ and ‘Afterburner’. The music videos for the album’s tracks – including ‘Gimme All Your Lovin’, ‘Sharp Dressed Man’, and ‘Legs’ - kickstarted their exposure on MTV, shooting to stardom in 80s pop culture – evident in their Afterburner tour, which set records for the highest-attended and highest-grossing concert tour of 1986.
The band’s musical experimentation continued into the early 2010s, and by the time of Hill’s death in 2021, ZZ Top had become the longest-running band with an unchanged lineup in history. Over their 51-year career, ZZ Top have released 15 studio albums and sold 50 million records worldwide. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004 and continue to record and tour with new bassist Elwood Francis.
Where did ZZ Top get their name?
The names of blues legends inspired Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill, and Frank Beard. They initially thought of combining the names of B.B. King and Z.Z. Hill to create ‘ZZ King’ but decided that ‘King’ was too common. They changed it to ‘ZZ Top’, suggesting the band was on top of everything.
What awards have ZZ Top won?
ZZ Top has won two MTV Video Music Awards (Best Group Video and Best Direction for ‘Legs’) and one Classic Rock Roll of Honour Award (Living Legend Category).
What is ZZ Top’s biggest hit?
‘La Grange’ is ZZ Top’s most popular. Released in 1973, the song is known for its iconic guitar riff and driving rhythm, reaching number forty-one on the Billboard Hot 100 and over 604 million streams on Spotify.
Where did ZZ Top form?
The band started in Houston, Texas, in 1969.
ZZ Top tour dates & tickets
To get information on upcoming ZZ Top tour dates and concert tickets, you can visit the official website.
Stream more
Live From Texas
ZZ Top 'Live From Texas'
Forever: Live From Maryland
All Time Low 'Forever: Live From Maryland'
Live At Montreux 1992
Albert Collins 'Live At Montreux 1992'
Live At Earl’s Court: The Reflektor Tapes
Arcade Fire 'Live At Earl’s Court: The Reflektor Tapes'
Live at Montreux 2011
Santana 'Live at Montreux 2011
Live At The Isle Of Wight Festival 1970
The Who 'Live At The Isle Of Wight Festival 1970'
The Lady In The Balcony: Lockdown Sessions
Eric Clapton 'The Lady In The Balcony: Lockdown Sessions'
Checkerboard
Muddy Waters & The Rolling Stones - 'Checkerboard'
Sticky Fingers Live At The Fonda
The Rolling Stones 'Sticky Fingers Live At The Fonda'
Home Invasion