Feature Photo: Randy Miramontez / Shutterstock.com
The classic ZZ Top lineup coalesced in Houston, Texas, in late 1969, when guitarist and vocalist Billy Gibbons, formerly of the Moving Sidewalks, joined drummer Frank Beard and bassist and vocalist Dusty Hill, who had played together in American Blues. The trio built its sound from Texas blues, boogie, and hard rock, breaking nationally with Tres Hombres in 1973 and the enduring “La Grange.” A decade later, Eliminator turned ZZ Top into international MTV stars with “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” “Sharp Dressed Man,” and “Legs.” Across sixteen officially released albums of newly recorded material included in this discography, Gibbons, Hill, and Beard became one of rock’s most remarkably stable lineups and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004.
That extraordinary run ended with the death of Dusty Hill on July 28, 2021, at age 72. At Hill’s request, longtime guitar technician Elwood Francis stepped in on bass, and ZZ Top continued touring with Gibbons and Beard. Sadly, Frank Beard died on August 17, 2026, at the age of 77 while in hospice care at his ranch in Richmond, Texas. His death leaves Billy Gibbons as the last surviving member of the classic trio. ZZ Top has announced that the band will continue, as Beard wished, carrying forward the music created by one of rock’s longest-running lineups.
ZZ TOP STUDIO ALBUMS
ZZ Top’s First Album (1971)
Released: 1971
ZZ Top’s First Album was the debut album from ZZ Top, featuring Billy Gibbons on guitar and vocals, Dusty Hill on bass guitar and vocals, and Frank Beard on drums. The album was produced by Bill Ham and recorded at Robin Hood Studios in Tyler, Texas. It was released on the London label.
CD Track Listings:
- “(Somebody Else Been) Shaking Your Tree” – 2:32
- “Brown Sugar” – 5:22
- “Squank” – 2:46
- “Goin’ Down to Mexico” – 3:26
- “Old Man” – 3:23
- “Neighbor, Neighbor” – 2:18
- “Certified Blues” – 3:25
- “Bedroom Thang” – 4:37
- “Just Got Back from Baby’s” – 4:07
- “Backdoor Love Affair” – 3:20
Rio Grande Mud (1972)
Released: 1972
Rio Grande Mud featured the same lineup of Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill, and Frank Beard. Bill Ham produced it, and it was recorded at Robin Hood Studios in Tyler, Texas. The album was released on the London label and reached number 104 on the US Billboard 200.
CD Track Listings:
- “Francine” – 3:33
- “Just Got Paid” – 4:49
- “Mushmouth Shoutin'” – 3:41
- “Ko Ko Blue” – 4:56
- “Chevrolet” – 3:47
- “Apologies to Pearly” – 2:39
- “Bar-B-Q” – 3:34
- “Sure Got Cold After the Rain Fell” – 7:39
- “Whiskey’n Mama” – 3:20
- “Down Brownie” – 2:53
Tres Hombres (1973)
Released: 1973
Tres Hombres is one of ZZ Top’s most successful albums, featuring Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill, and Frank Beard. The album was produced by Bill Ham and recorded at Ardent Studios in Memphis, Tennessee, and Brian Studio in Texas. Released on the London label, it reached number 8 on the US Billboard 200.
CD Track Listings:
- “Waitin’ for the Bus” – 2:59
- “Jesus Just Left Chicago” – 3:29
- “Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers” – 3:23
- “Master of Sparks” – 3:33
- “Hot, Blue and Righteous” – 3:14
- “Move Me on Down the Line” – 2:30
- “Precious and Grace” – 3:09
- “La Grange” – 3:51
- “Shiek” – 4:04
- “Have You Heard?” – 3:14
Fandango! (1975)
Released: 1975
Fandango! is a mix of live and studio recordings, featuring Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill, and Frank Beard. Produced by Bill Ham, it was recorded at various locations and released on the London label. The album reached number 10 on the US Billboard 200.
CD Track Listings:
- “Thunderbird” – 2:49
- “Jailhouse Rock” – 1:56
- “Backdoor Medley” – 9:51
- “Backdoor Love Affair”
- “Mellow Down Easy”
- “Backdoor Love Affair No. 2”
- “Long Distance Boogie”
- “Nasty Dogs and Funky Kings” – 2:42
- “Blue Jean Blues” – 4:42
- “Balinese” – 2:37
- “Mexican Blackbird” – 3:06
- “Heard It on the X” – 2:23
- “Tush” – 2:14
Tejas (1976)
Released: 1976
Tejas featured a lineup that consisted of Billy Gibbons on guitar and vocals, Dusty Hill on bass and vocals, and Frank Beard on drums. The album was produced by Bill Ham. It was recorded at various locations including Robin Hood Studios in Tyler, Texas, and Ardent Studios in Memphis, Tennessee. It was released on the London Records label. The album Tejas peaked at number 17 on the US Billboard 200.
CD Track Listings:
- “It’s Only Love” – 4:23
- “Arrested for Driving While Blind” – 3:09
- “El Diablo” – 4:22
- “Snappy Kakkie” – 2:58
- “Enjoy and Get It On” – 3:25
- “Ten Dollar Man” – 3:42
- “Pan Am Highway Blues” – 3:14
- “Avalon Hideaway” – 3:07
- “She’s a Heartbreaker” – 3:02
- “Asleep in the Desert” (instrumental) – 3:24
Degüello (1979)
Released: 1979
Degüello featured a lineup that consisted of Billy Gibbons on guitar and vocals, Dusty Hill on bass and vocals, and Frank Beard on drums. The album was produced by Bill Ham. It was recorded at Aquarius Studios in Houston, Texas. It was released on the Warner Bros. label. The album Degüello peaked at number 24 on the US Billboard 200. The song “I Thank You” was released as the album’s debut single.
CD Track Listings:
- “I Thank You” – 3:23
- “She Loves My Automobile” – 2:23
- “I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide” – 4:45
- “A Fool for Your Stockings” – 4:16
- “Manic Mechanic” – 2:37
- “Dust My Broom” – 3:08
- “Lowdown in the Street” – 2:49
- “Hi Fi Mama” – 2:25
- “Cheap Sunglasses” – 4:48
- “Esther Be the One” – 3:31
El Loco (1981)
Released: 1981
El Loco featured a lineup that consisted of Billy Gibbons on guitar and vocals, Dusty Hill on bass and vocals, and Frank Beard on drums. The album was produced by Bill Ham. It was recorded at Compass Point Studios in Nassau, Bahamas. It was released on the Warner Bros. label. El Loco peaked at number 17 on the US Billboard 200.
CD Track Listings:
- “Tube Snake Boogie” – 3:02
- “I Wanna Drive You Home” – 4:44
- “Ten Foot Pole” – 4:20
- “Leila” – 3:13
- “Don’t Tease Me” – 4:20
- “It’s So Hard” – 5:12
- “Pearl Necklace” – 4:01
- “Groovy Little Hippie Pad” – 2:40
- “Heaven, Hell or Houston” – 2:31
- “Party on the Patio” – 2:48
Eliminator (1983)
Released: 1983
Well this was a big one. If ever there was an album that MTV helped fuel its sales it was Eliminator. The album was driven by catchy pop-rock songs delivered to the masses via a series of videos showcasing not only the Eliminator car but three beautiful women. Eliminator featured a lineup that consisted of Billy Gibbons on guitar and vocals, Dusty Hill on bass and vocals, and Frank Beard on drums. The album was produced by Bill Ham. It was recorded at Ardent Studios in Memphis, Tennessee. It was released on the Warner Bros. label.
The album Eliminator peaked at number nine on the US Billboard 200. The song “Gimme All Your Lovin'” was released as the album’s debut single. The song “Gimme All Your Lovin'” hit the number 37 position on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.
CD Track Listings:
- “Gimme All Your Lovin'” – 4:03
- “Got Me Under Pressure” – 4:00
- “Sharp Dressed Man” – 4:13
- “I Need You Tonight” – 6:16
- “I Got the Six” – 2:52
- “Legs” – 4:34
- “Thug” – 4:17
- “TV Dinners” – 3:50
- “Dirty Dog” – 4:05
- “If I Could Only Flag Her Down” – 3:40
- “Bad Girl” – 3:17
Afterburner (1985)
Released: 1985
Afterburner featured a lineup that consisted of Billy Gibbons on guitar and vocals, Dusty Hill on bass and vocals, and Frank Beard on drums. The album was produced by Bill Ham. It was recorded at Ardent Studios in Memphis, Tennessee. It was released on the Warner Bros. label. The album Afterburner peaked at number 4 on the US Billboard 200.
CD Track Listings:
- “Sleeping Bag” – 4:02
- “Stages” – 3:32
- “Woke Up with Wood” – 3:45
- “Rough Boy” – 4:50
- “Can’t Stop Rockin'” – 3:01
- “Planet of Women” – 4:04
- “I Got the Message” – 3:27
- “Velcro Fly” – 3:29
- “Dipping Low (In the Lap of Luxury)” – 3:15
- “Delirious” – 3:41
Recycler (1990)
Released: 1990
Recycler featured a lineup that consisted of Billy Gibbons on guitar and vocals, Dusty Hill on bass and vocals, and Frank Beard on drums. The album was produced by Bill Ham. It was recorded at Memphis Sound Productions in Memphis, Tennessee. It was released on the Warner Bros. label. The album Recycler peaked at number 6 on the US Billboard 200.
CD Track Listings:
- “Concrete and Steel” – 3:48
- “Lovething” – 3:26
- “Penthouse Eyes” – 3:47
- “Tell It” – 4:49
- “My Head’s in Mississippi” – 4:25
- “Decision or Collision” – 4:03
- “Give It Up” – 3:28
- “2000 Blues” – 4:43
- “Burger Man” – 3:21
- “Doubleback” – 3:57
Antenna (1994)
Released: 1994
Antenna featured a lineup that consisted of Billy Gibbons on guitar and vocals, Dusty Hill on bass and vocals, and Frank Beard on drums. The album was produced by Bill Ham. It was recorded at Ardent Studios in Memphis, Tennessee. It was released on the RCA Records label.
The album Antenna peaked at number 14 on the US Billboard 200.
CD Track Listings:
- “Pincushion” – 4:33
- “Breakaway” – 4:57
- “World of Swirl” – 4:08
- “Fuzzbox Voodoo” – 4:42
- “Girl in a T-Shirt” – 4:10
- “Antenna Head” – 4:42
- “PCH” – 3:57
- “Cherry Red” – 4:38
- “Cover Your Rig” – 5:49
- “Lizard Life” – 5:09
- “Deal Goin’ Down” – 3:12
Rhythmeen (1996)
Released: 1996
Rhythmeen featured a lineup that consisted of Billy Gibbons on guitar and vocals, Dusty Hill on bass and vocals, and Frank Beard on drums. Billy Gibbons, Bill Ham, and Joe Hardy produced the album. It was recorded at John Moran’s House of Funk in Houston, Texas. It was released on RCA Records.
The album Rhythmeen peaked at number 29 on the US Billboard 200.
CD Track Listings:
- “Rhythmeen” – 3:53
- “Bang Bang” – 4:28
- “Black Fly” – 3:31
- “What’s Up with That” – 5:20
- “Vincent Price Blues” – 6:05
- “Zipper Job” – 4:14
- “Hairdresser” – 3:47
- “She’s Just Killing Me” – 4:55
- “My Mind Is Gone” – 4:06
- “Loaded” – 3:47
- “Prettyhead” – 4:37
- “Hummbucking Part 2” – 5:13
XXX (1999)
Released: 1999
XXX featured a lineup that consisted of Billy Gibbons on guitar and vocals, Dusty Hill on bass and vocals, and Frank Beard on drums. Billy Gibbons, Bill Ham, and Joe Hardy produced the album. It was recorded at John Moran’s House of Funk in Houston, Texas, and Ardent Studios in Memphis, Tennessee. It was released on RCA Records.
The album XXX peaked at number 100 on the US Billboard 200.
CD Track Listings:
- “Poke Chop Sandwich” – 4:50
- “Crucifixx-A-Flatt” – 3:59
- “Fearless Boogie” – 4:01
- “36-22-36” – 2:35
- “Made into a Movie” – 5:13
- “Beatbox” – 2:48
- “Trippin'” – 3:56
- “Dreadmonboogaloo” – 2:38
- “Live Intro by Ross Mitchell” – 0:34
- “Sinpusher” (live) – 5:19
- “Hey Mr. Millionaire” – 3:29
- “Belt Buckle” (live) – 4:05
- “36-22-36” (live) – 2:38
- “I Loved the Woman” (live) – 4:59
- “Hi Fi Mama” (live) – 4:32
Mescalero (2003)
Released: 2003
Mescalero featured a lineup that consisted of Billy Gibbons on guitar and vocals, Dusty Hill on bass and vocals, and Frank Beard on drums. Billy Gibbons and Joe Hardy produced the album. It was recorded at Foam Box Recordings in Houston, Texas. It was released on RCA Records.
The album Mescalero peaked at number 57 on the US Billboard 200.
CD Track Listings:
- “Mescalero” – 3:50
- “Two Ways to Play” – 4:15
- “Alley-Gator” – 3:29
- “Buck Nekkid” – 3:02
- “Goin’ So Good” – 5:35
- “Me So Stupid” – 3:34
- “Piece” – 4:19
- “Punk Ass Boyfriend” – 3:05
- “Stackin’ Paper” – 2:59
- “What Would You Do” – 3:03
- “What It Is Kid” – 4:13
- “Que Lastima” – 4:24
- “Tramp” – 4:03
- “Crunchy” – 3:13
- “Dusted” – 3:55
- “Liquor” – 3:23
- “As Time Goes By” – 3:47 (hidden track)
La Futura (2012)
Released: 2012
La Futura featured a lineup that consisted of Billy Gibbons on guitar and vocals, Dusty Hill on bass and vocals, and Frank Beard on drums. Rick Rubin and Billy Gibbons produced the album. It was recorded at Foam Box Recordings in Houston, Texas, and Shangri-La Studio in Malibu, California. It was released on American Recordings. The album La Futura peaked at number six on the US Billboard 200.
CD Track Listings:
- “I Gotsta Get Paid” – 4:03
- “Chartreuse” – 2:57
- “Consumption” – 3:47
- “Over You” – 4:29
- “Heartache in Blue” – 4:09
- “I Don’t Wanna Lose, Lose, You” – 4:20
- “Flyin’ High” – 4:17
- “It’s Too Easy Mañana” – 4:47
- “Big Shiny Nine” – 3:10
- “Have a Little Mercy” – 3:18
Raw (2022)
Released: July 22, 2022
Raw is an officially released ZZ Top album featuring newly recorded performances by Billy Gibbons on guitar and vocals, Dusty Hill on bass and vocals, and Frank Beard on drums. The recordings were made at Gruene Hall in Texas in connection with the documentary ZZ Top: That Little Ol’ Band from Texas. Although the album revisits songs from throughout the band’s catalog, these are new performances by the classic trio rather than previously released master recordings. The twelve tracks were captured in a single day, with Billy Gibbons serving as producer. Jake Mann and Gary Moon engineered the sessions, and Ryan Hewitt mixed the album. Raw was released through Shelter Records/BMG and was dedicated to the memory of Dusty Hill.
CD Track Listings:
- “Brown Sugar” – 4:17
- “Just Got Paid” – 3:49
- “Heard It on the X” – 2:50
- “La Grange” – 4:41
- “Tush” – 2:30
- “Thunderbird” – 4:04
- “I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide” – 4:36
- “Legs” – 4:21
- “Gimme All Your Lovin'” – 4:01
- “Blue Jean Blues” – 3:54
- “Certified Blues” – 3:54
- “Tube Snake Boogie” – 3:06
Read More: Top 10 ZZ Top Songs
Read More: Complete List Of ZZ Top Band Members
Updated August 21, 2026.
Complete List Of ZZ Top Albums And Discography article published on ClassicRockHistory.com © 2026
