A Band With a Lot of Beards

Ah, ZZ Top. Formed in 1969 in Houston, TX, the band has kept the same three members, Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill, and Frank Beard, for over 40 years! They were originally rooted in blues, but also added in contemporary influences. Lyrically, they have a superb sense of humor and a love of sexual innuendo.

Their name comes from looking at posters on Gibbons' apartment wall. There were two posters in particular: Z.Z. Hill and B.B. King. The Name "ZZ King" was suggested, but was changed to ZZ Top since the King poster was on the top.

One of their most famous songs, "La Grange," came off their Tres Hombres (1973) album was written about a brothel in La Grange, TX. The tune has a great driving riff, Texan slang, growling guitar, and is all over the blues rock genre. It is considered one of the greatest guitar tracks by Rolling Stone.  It was about in this point in time when Hill and Gibbons grew their chest length beards.

Gibbons and Hill with their trademark beards.

"Sharp Dressed Man" is a personal favorite. It's off of their 1983 album Eliminator, which spawned hits like "Legs," and "Gimme All Your Lovin'." Eventually, "Legs" lead the band to their first MTV award for Best Group Video.

In 2004, ZZ Top was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame where they played "La Grange" and "Tush." Recently, the band announced an upcoming album, their first since 2003's Mescalero, and a single off of it, "I Gotsta Get Paid," appeared on the Battleship film soundtrack.

Keep track of their upcoming album and tour dates: zztop.com
Follow the band on Twitter: @ZZTop