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ZZ Top, the “Little Ol’ Band from Texas,” has become an iconic name in rock and blues, renowned for their signature sound, bearded frontmen, and captivating stage presence. The band was formed in 1969, and over five decades later, they continue to tour and perform, maintaining their position as one of the longest-running major rock bands with the original lineup largely intact until the recent passing of Dusty Hill in 2021.
Formation and Early Years
The story of ZZ Top starts in Houston, Texas, where guitarist Billy Gibbons met drummer Frank Beard through a band called the American Blues. Initially performing as a trio with organist Lanier Greig, the band released its first single, “Salt Lick,” but it wasn’t until the arrival of bassist Dusty Hill that the classic ZZ Top lineup was solidified. Hill replaced Greig in 1970 and brought an earthy bass style and vocals that complemented Gibbons’ own. The band’s early sound was rooted in blues but had hints of the rock and boogie style that would define them in later years.
Commercial Success and Mainstream Recognition
ZZ Top’s breakthrough came in 1973 with their third album, “Tres Hombres,” featuring the hit “La Grange,” which was inspired by John Lee Hooker’s “Boogie Chillen.” The album brought the band mainstream recognition and was followed by a string of successful albums and singles, including “Fandango!” (1975), featuring the classic “Tush,” and “Degüello” (1979), which included hits like “Cheap Sunglasses” and “I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide.” The 1980s saw ZZ Top embracing new technologies, with the release of “Eliminator” (1983) that featured synthesizers and drum machines. Hits like “Gimme All Your Lovin'” and “Sharp Dressed Man” catapulted them into international stardom.
Endurance and Legacy
Despite changes in musical tastes and the advent of new genres, ZZ Top has endured. Their straightforward blues-rock sound, combined with a tongue-in-cheek humor and style, made them a staple in American rock culture. They have sold millions of albums worldwide, have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and have continued to tour extensively. The trio remained unchanged until 2021 when Dusty Hill passed away. Elwood Francis, a longtime guitar tech for the band, was chosen as Hill’s successor, making it clear that the ZZ Top legacy is far from over.
Billy Gibbons
Billy Gibbons, born December 16, 1949, in Houston, Texas, is the guitarist and lead vocalist for ZZ Top. He was a founding member of the band when it was formed in 1969 and has remained with the band ever since. Gibbons has been a key contributor to all of the band’s albums, from their 1971 debut “ZZ Top’s First Album” to their latest release as of my last update. Known for his distinctive guitar style and vocals, he has contributed to iconic songs like “La Grange,” “Sharp Dressed Man,” and “Gimme All Your Lovin’.” Outside of ZZ Top, Gibbons has a solo career, releasing albums like “Perfectamundo” in 2015 and “The Big Bad Blues” in 2018. He has also made numerous guest appearances on other artists’ recordings and has acted in a few television shows and movies.
Lanier Greig
Lanier Greig, born in Houston, Texas, was an early member of ZZ Top, joining the band in late 1969. Greig was a keyboardist and bassist and played on ZZ Top’s first single, “Salt Lick,” which was released in 1969. However, his tenure with the band was brief, and he left in early 1970, before the recording of the band’s first full-length album. After leaving ZZ Top, Greig was involved in various other musical projects, although none reached the level of commercial success that ZZ Top did. He passed away in February 2013.
Billy Ethridge
Billy Ethridge, like Greig, was another early member of ZZ Top, although his tenure was even more brief. Ethridge played bass guitar and joined the band briefly in 1970 but did not contribute to any of the band’s studio albums. He left the band the same year he joined, making his time with ZZ Top short-lived. Details about his career post-ZZ Top are not widely documented, but he didn’t achieve the same level of mainstream success that the band did. It’s worth noting that Ethridge’s time with the band was transitional, and he was replaced by Dusty Hill, who became a long-standing member of ZZ Top until his death in 2021.
Dusty Hill
Dusty Hill, born Joseph Michael Hill on May 19, 1949, in Dallas, Texas, was the bassist and secondary vocalist for ZZ Top. Hill joined ZZ Top in 1970, replacing Billy Ethridge, and became an essential part of the band’s iconic trio alongside Billy Gibbons and Frank Beard. Hill played on all of ZZ Top’s albums from their second album, “Rio Grande Mud” (1972), up until his last performances. Notable songs featuring Hill’s contributions include “Tush,” “Legs,” and “Cheap Sunglasses.” Apart from his work with ZZ Top, Hill also appeared on several tracks of other artists but remained mostly focused on the band. Hill passed away on July 28, 2021, marking the end of an era for ZZ Top.
Elwood Francis
Elwood Francis is a relatively new addition to ZZ Top, taking on the role of bassist following the passing of Dusty Hill in 2021. Not much is publicly known about Francis’ life before ZZ Top, but he had been a guitar tech for the band for several years before stepping into the role of bassist. His role is to honor Hill’s legacy while providing the low end for ZZ Top’s ongoing performances.
Dan Mitchell
Dan Mitchell was never a member of ZZ Top but has an interesting connection to the band. Mitchell played drums on “Salt Lick,” ZZ Top’s debut single released in 1969. His contribution to ZZ Top is brief but noteworthy for being a part of the band’s early history.
Frank Beard
Born June 11, 1949, in Frankston, Texas, Frank Beard is the drummer for ZZ Top and the only member of the original lineup who doesn’t sport a long beard. Beard joined ZZ Top at its inception in 1969 and has been a constant member ever since. Known for his steady and straightforward drumming style, Beard has contributed to all of the band’s albums and is an integral part of ZZ Top’s sound. Songs like “La Grange” and “Sharp Dressed Man” feature his solid rhythmic backbone. Outside of ZZ Top, Beard has kept a relatively low profile, focusing primarily on his work with the band.
Complete List Of ZZ Top Band Members article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2023
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![Rob De Luca of Spread Eagle, Sebastian Bach & UFO: 10 Albums That Changed My Life From humble East Coast origins to grandest stages worldwide, veteran bassist Rob De Luca has seen and done it all. De Luca first hit the local Boston rock and metal scene in the late 80s after meeting guitarist Paul DiBartolo, bonding over Van Halen before forming Bang. Regional success came quickly, but eventually, the members of Bang went their separate ways, with De Luca and drummer Tommi Gallo heading to NYC and hooking up with Ray West and, later, DiBartolo to form Spread Eagle. By 1990, Spread Eagle was on the fast track, with a contract through MCA Records and a self-titled debut album poised to crush skulls. But poor timing and MCA's sad indifference left Spead Eagle out in the cold despite being a hard-boiled answer to Guns N' Roses's West Coast sleaze. Spread Eagle's first chapter came to an end in '95. As for Rob De Luca, his nimble fingers and gift for melody and songwriting kept him moving forward. Soon, he found a gig with former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach and the legendary outfit UFO. And in 2010, after coupling up with Ray West and his cousin Rik De Luca, Spread Eagle retook flight. During a break from Spread Eagle's increasingly busy touring schedule, Rob De Luca dialed in with ClassicRockHistory.com to run through the ten albums that changed his life. But only after adding, "I made a playlist of these songs, including some I've written or co-written. Do you hear any of these albums' influence on me?" Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3LWJuhDrE8JmzhsmTeIDUq 10) Gentlemen by Afghan Whigs (1993) Here's an entry that was so important to me. This may be the darkest break-up album of all time. Greg Dulli has been in many projects, but I feel Gentlemen is his zenith. Somewhat undefinable at times but always profound and honest. Listen to "Gentlemen," "Fountain and Fairfax," and "What Jail Is Like." 9) In on the Kill Taker by Fugazi (1993) By this time, I had been sucked in and spit out by the major-label record industry. Glam came and went; grunge was history, too. I was searching for new sounds. When I heard Fugazi's twin guitar approach, I knew this was what was missing. Fugazi may be considered a less polished sound than the albums above; however, once you "get it," it hits you like a ton of bricks, and there's no going back. From the moment I heard Fugazi, I went to every NYC show after. It's easily some of the best concerts of my life, and possibly my favorite bassist in Joe Lally. And their DIY ethics refused to charge us more than $5 a show! In on the Kill Taker is a powerful album demonstrated in songs such as "Smallpox Champion," "Great Cop," and "Public Witness Program." 8) Appetite for Destruction by Guns N' Roses (1987) I discovered many of these albums (sometimes long) after they were released. However, I was at the right place at the right time for this one. Steve Ostromogilsky had a Berklee College of Music lunch card and used to sneak out sandwiches for me. One day, he invited me to hang out at his place and listen to music. As we got off the train, he put Sony Walkman headphones on my ears and said, "Hey, check out this brand-new group." A song like "It's So Easy" was so different from the popular Sunset Strip sound at that time. Me and about 499 other informed rockers were lucky enough to see them on their first East Coast tour at the sold-out Paradise on Commonwealth Avenue, Boston (the same street Aerosmith started on). I saw Gn'R every tour after until I took a break when Buckethead joined. Gn'R is the band I've been lucky enough to see the most times live, almost 100! Everyone on this album is just stellar. Axl [Rose] had the tones, power, melodic sensibilities, and foresight to do what no other singer did then. Slash's playing was beyond memorable. Duff [McKagan] is one of the most underrated bassists in rock history, and learning his Appetite basslines is a masterclass. Steven [Adler] had the natural swing, and Izzy [Stradlin] was the secret weapon songwriter. Everything that's been heralded about this gem is deserved and true. Check out "It's So Easy," "Out Ta Get Me," and "Mr. Brownstone.' 7) Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd (1975) Another contender for my favorite album and band of all time. Using The Beatles machine (same recording studio, engineer, record label), Pink Floyd made what I feel is their strongest, most cohesive album (my second favorite of theirs would be Animals). This list mainly consists of bands with an instantly recognizable sound. Floyd is certainly no exception to that! This album included a solid handful of undeniable rock radio classics, bookended by two halves of the mind-blowing song "Shine on You Crazy Diamond.' That song was written about former band member and founder Syd Barrett. It would be hard to live in a world without this album. Check out "Welcome to The Machine," "Shine on You Crazy Diamond (parts 6-9),' or even better yet, listen to the whole thing in one sitting! 6) Decade by Neil Young (1977) About this time, I started playing guitar. As a beginner, it was comfortable jamming to this album because the chord changes were simple—a great "first ten years" retrospective of Neil's stunning, unique songwriting. Neil is a treasure who always writes from the heart and stands up for what's right. Check out "Southern Man," "A Man Needs a Maid," "Down by The River," and "After the Goldrush." 5) Highway to Hell by AC/DC (1979) When I heard this album, I was firmly "me." My life would be 100% focused on hard rock music forever. AC/DC are like air; they're ubiquitous. Everyone knows them and their incredible songs. However, as a young teen in Wilmington, Delaware, I only had WMMR 93.3 FM Philadelphia and a few friends to inform me about the world of Rock outside my bedroom. AC/DC had not gone mainstream, and their albums were available primarily in the USA as imports. To put things more in perspective, I only knew two people in the world who had heard of AC/DC. A friend had an import that we played in Steve Buckley's basement, which sounded ripping. When Highway to Hell was released, WMMR started spinning the title track, and I immediately bought the album, listening to it every single day after school. Then WMMR announced AC/DC was coming to the Spectrum in Philly, supporting Ted Nugent! I liked Ted but loved AC/DC, so my good friend Mick Cummins and I bought tickets, and he drove us up to the Spectrum (where we saw most of our concerts). Bon Scott was in fine form, and the band went over great. Although the crowd knew Ted better, Angus [Young] wouldn't let anyone upstage him. I'll never forget it! Unfortunately, Bon would be gone in 6 months. Check out "Walk All Over You," "Touch Too Much," "Shot Down in Flames," and "If You Want Blood (You Got It)." 4) Toys in the Attic by Aerosmith (1975) By the time I heard this, I was now in my teens. I had a childhood friend up the street, Jim Linberg (we're still good buddies). His older sister had a great album collection, including Toys in The Attic. Once I heard that groove, my taste changed. I lost interest in rock music that didn't have some sort of "swing" feel to it. I think Rocks is a slightly better Aerosmith album (and possibly my favorite album of all time), but both are perfect or very close. Check out "Uncle Salty," "Adam's Apple," "No More No More," "Round and Round," and "You See Me Crying." 3) Alive! by Kiss (1975) When I was still a little kid, I asked for Cheech and Chong's Up in Smoke album for Christmas. The entire family came over for an enormous feast, and I dropped the needle. When my mother heard the content, she turned off the album and said I had to exchange it. My mom was cool, but I was young and knew much more about life than she suspected. Anyway, the next day, she drove me back to the store. In the music section, promoted on an "endcap" was a Kiss Alive! display. I had never heard of Kiss, but that cover picture told me I had to have it! My first foray into hard rock. Check out “Strutter.” I went through my Kiss phase very quickly, I believe in a matter of months because I discovered the previous entry, Aerosmith's Toys in the Attic. 2) Honky Chateau by Elton John (1972) When I was a wee lad, my parents bought a used Volkswagen camper van from my uncle Ozzie. My favorite Elton John album is Yellow Brick Road, but Honky Chateau is great and easily one of his best. It sent me down a lifelong rabbit hole of loving everything about the 1970s partnership between Elton and lyricist Bernie Taupin. The simple beauty of voice, the master songwriting, the perfect backing band, the clear, unobtrusive recordings, and always Bernie's incredible lyrics. The day this album was released, Elton became an unstoppable force that conquered the music industry. Check out "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" and "Rocket Man." 1) Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles (1967) Another tape that was included in the VW Camper. The van had a bunch of music tapes, and one was Sgt Pepper. I was too young to understand the sophistication of the music, but that was one of the many skills of The Beatles. They attracted listeners at every level, even little kids. I still feel that immediate connection to Sgt Pepper; now, I hear so much more. It's an album that changed the world and the world of music. Check out "Lucy in The Sky with Diamonds," "A Day In The Life," and "Fixing a Hole."](http://www.classicrockhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Shutterstock_1815495569-1-300x200.jpg)
