![]() ![]() Gibbons ’s unique style also caught the attention of Bill Ham, a local record promo man who knew a moneymaker when he heard one. Hendrix was so impressed with Gibbons ’s fretwork that he cited the Texan as one of America ’s best guitarists on a “Tonight Show ” television appearance. Their single “99th Floor ” stayed on top of the Texas charts for five weeks and earned the band a spot as opening act for the Jimi Hendrix Experience in 1968. By 1967 he was working with a trimmed-down, four-member psychedlic combo called the Moving Sidewalks. It was only a matter of a few years, however, before Gibbons was fronting his own James Brown-styled rhythm and blues group, Billy G and the Ten Blue Flames. He formed his first band, the Saints, when he was fourteen and eventually moved on to the Coachmen. Gibbons was born in Houston, Texas, and, after being bitten by the Elvis bug at the age of seven, began playing guitar. “We ’re not attempting to deliver any sociological breakthrough other than, ’Have a good time. But, regardless of these accomplishments, the band has stuck to their original philosophy: “Our message remains pretty much clear cut, ” guitarist Billy Gibbons told Guitar Player. synthesizers and drum machines) into their sound. Their 1976 tour broke attendance records previously set by the Beatles they were one of the first bands to realize the potential of music videos and they were arguably the first blues band to successfully incorporate advanced electronics (e.g. Although many people may consider the three-piece unit just another boogie band from the South, the Top has some pretty impressive credentials. Watch ZZ Top perform “Brown Sugar” and “La Grange” live at Gruene Hall (from the film That Little Ol’ Band From Texas) below.That “little ol ’ band from Texas, ” ZZ Top, has been together for over two decades now, making more music, and money, than bands twice their size. ![]() It’s a calling that has us grinning from start to finish.” If that’s the direction, I gotta take it.'”Īsked about the band’s plans to put out new music beyond Raw, Gibbons said making new music “would be an interesting excursion into the unknown-particularly with Elwood holding down the bottom end.” He continued, “We’ve got the makings of a band that is partially the tried-and-true longstanding experience with something so fresh, and kind of uncharted territory that’s being broken. ![]() It was, ‘Hey Elwood, grab the guitar.’ He said, ‘Okay, listen, I’m the hired gun. Elwood grabbed Dusty’s hat and placed it on the microphone and made sure that there was a point of relation through the whole night. “To Elwood’s credit, he made certain that Dusty was in an ethereal sense still present during the experience. “The emotions were running high,” he said. Gibbons described the emotional tone of the band’s first shows without Dusty. We’re crazy characters, almost cartoon-like, but at the bottom of it, we’re all very dedicated and serious on the musical level.”įrancis has already performed live with ZZ Top. It’s kind of an interesting twist, but the balance remains. He’s been a solid standby for over three decades.’ He is adding to five decades of a rather serious side of making loud sounds. He said, ‘Listen, if I’m late getting back to the gig, make sure that Elwood, our guitar technician, wraps his hands around my guitar.’ I said, ‘Okay.’ He said, ‘Look, he’s more than a family member. When he was feeling a bit out of sorts, he requested going to see his physician. ![]() “Not only was he a great performer and a great friend, he had a thread of wisdom. Asked about the transition, Gibbons said it was Dusty who recommended Francis for the position. The band also has plans to work on new music with Elwood Francis, who served as the outfit’s guitar tech for over 30 years, on bass. Due to be released on July 8th, the album will feature a mix of classic tunes and lesser-heard songs like “Certified Blues” and “Brown Sugar”, both from the band’s 1971 debut, ZZ Top’s First Album. The band will first release a new live album, Raw, which was recorded with Dusty during the making of the band’s 2019 documentary, That Little Ol’ Band From Texas, at Gruene Hall-the longest running live music venue and dance hall in Texas. Gibbons announced in an interview with Ultimate Classic Rock. ZZ Top has plans to put out new music with the band’s longtime guitar technician Elwood Francis filling in for the late Dusty Hill, who passed away in 2021, guitarist Billy F. ![]()
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