If ever anyone in rock ‘n’ roll deserved to be called greybeards, it’s ZZ Top, the self-described “same three guys playing the same three chords,” who are marking 50 years together.
“I’m dumbfounded!” laughed the clean-shaven Frank Beard. “It’s longer than we’ve been married, by a long shot.”
Beard plays with two men whose beards would make Methuselah jealous: guitarist Billy Gibbons and bassist Dusty Hill. They met in the summer of 1969 when they were all 20 at a long-gone club in Houston, now an outdoor public art space.
“We started on this very ground,” said Gibbons. “It was a club called The Catacombs. It was a day that Frank Beard, the man with no beard, he and I were gathered together to audition bass players. And about that time Dusty strolled up, strapped on the guitar, and I think we wound up playing one song for about three hours straight!”
“Well, it went on and on, is where it went,” Hill said. . . . continue reading and watch video of interview here: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/zz-top-goin-50-dusty-hill-frank-beard-billy-gibbons/
I would so love to win the T Shirt. Love ZZ Top and were lucky to catch you guys in Mississippi June last year, we are from Belfast!
Caught you in Dublin a few years back as well!! ❤❤❤
I remember when you all came to the Ellis Prison Unit back in ’89 or ’90. Wasn’t able to enjoy performance because I was working in the mail room. The Lt. was John Meadors. I think he and Billy knew each other. Long time ago and glad y’all are still going strong.
I first saw y’all Des Moines, Iowa, at the fairgrounds. The show that made up for the “rained-out riot” show. Again in the mid-90’s, Ames, Iowa–when a girl I knew that was a dancer was hired to wear balloons on a bikini for your stage manager’s birthday. I helped her with the costume and transportation and got the privilege of backstage passes for your show, and John Mayall’s opening. Third time in Arizona, at the State Fair. I hope to see you this August in Phoenix (if I can afford it, fixed income sucks)! Wishing you many more years!!
As always, Thank You for including Canada in your travels.
Saw Billy the last time out in my hometown Kitchener Ontario at the Centre In The Square.
Great acoustics.
B.B. King also Loved the venue.
Can’t Stop Rockin’.
“Loree Bob “
As always, Thank You for including Canada
Hey Billy. Do you remember sitting in my Sharp Dressed Van in Copps Colosseum in Hamilton after the show when Noreen was there too?
Thanks again.
Can’t Stop Rockin’.
“Loree Bob “
Dusty a Top 5 bass player EVER in the world in my book.. a REAL bass player..
and he sings too?
that’s where “Tops” came from kiddies… 🙂
saw the Top twice in Seattle, so close I could tell their eye colors, both shows were outF’nstanding, I remember every time they would shake their heads I would get a shower of sweat, yup, screaming my balls off drank some!!!
man the good ol’ days
Tri Cities raceway… MAN
What was the song you and Dusty played for 3 hours as his “audition” ? Do y’all have that released anywhere, even a short version of it?