ZZ Top is an American rock trio formed in 1969 in Houston, Texas. The band has, since 1970, consisted of vocalist/guitarist Billy Gibbons, bassist/vocalist Dusty Hill, and drummer Frank Beard. "As genuine roots musicians, they have few peers", according to critic Michael "Cub" Koda. "Gibbons is one of America's finest blues guitarists working in the arena rock idiom [...] while Hill and Beard provide the ultimate rhythm section support."
Afterburner is the ninth studio album by the American rock band ZZ Top, released in 1985. Afterburner was a financial success, going several times platinum and launching several hit singles, the most successful of which was "Sleeping Bag" which peaked at No. 1 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks and at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Joseph Michael "Dusty" Hill is an American musician, singer, and songwriter, who is best known for being a member for the American rock group ZZ Top. With the band, Hill plays bass guitar and keyboards, as well as singing lead and backing vocals. Hill was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of ZZ Top in 2004.
Frank Lee Beard is the drummer in the American rock band ZZ Top. Beard was formerly with the bands The Cellar Dwellers, who originally were a three-piece band, The Hustlers, The Warlocks, and American Blues before starting to play and record with Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill as ZZ Top.
"Stages" is a song by American rock band ZZ Top. It was released as the second single from their ninth studio album Afterburner (1985). It peaked at number 21 on the United States Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart for two weeks.
"Tush" is a song by American blues rock band ZZ Top and was the only single from their fourth album Fandango!. The song was named the 67th best hard rock song of all time by VH1.
The Continental Safari Tour was a worldwide concert tour by rock band ZZ Top. Launched in support of the group's 1996 album, Rhythmeen, the tour's shows were performed in stadiums and arenas from 1996 through 1997. The tour consisted of four legs and 91 shows, and took ZZ Top to South Africa for the first time.
The XXX Tour was a worldwide concert tour by American rock band ZZ Top. Staged in support of their 1999 album XXX , the tour visited arenas and stadiums from 1999 to 2002. With five legs and 134 shows, the tour began in Denver, Colorado on September 12, 1999 and ended on November 1, 2002 in London, England. The first two legs took place in the United States before the next leg visited Australasia. After three legs, the band was initially expected to tour Europe, but the European leg was postponed until over two years later, which was branded as "Euro-Afrique". Although the tour provoked a range of reactions from critics, it was generally well received.
The Whack Attack Tour was a concert tour by rock band ZZ Top. Whack Attack was a 24-week-long tour in the United States and Canada, which was a longer outing than the previous Summer North American Tour. It began in June 2005 and ended in November 2005. The set was designed by Chris Stuba and had a 'retro garage' theme, with custom microphone stands and drum kit; tinsel was used as a backdrop. Risers were made out of diamond-plated steel. The set list highlighted material from the albums Mescalero (2003), Chrome, Smoke & BBQ (2003), and Rancho Texicano (2004). Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill appeared on stage in sequined blazers. The show has received positive criticism, complimenting their showmanship, as well as the longevity of their signature sound and look.
The Hollywood Blues Tour was a concert tour through the United States and Canada, undertaken by American rock band ZZ Top. Named after a warm-up show at the House of Blues in West Hollywood, California, the tour was their second of which to be staged without a supporting album. As a result, they did not perform any newer material. Although this was a criticism for the tour, it was generally well-received—a critic from The Florida Times-Union regarded the band as "one of rock's most reliable acts; you just know they're going to put on a good show". In contrast to ZZ Top's elaborately-staged productions from previous tours, the Hollywood Blues Tour utilized an austere stage setup. To embrace the group's renowned concept of visual imagery, the stage featured an LED drape for a backdrop video screen that showed visual effects, video clips and flashing text phrases, along with amplifiers stacks and a Van de Graaff generator.
The El Loco-Motion Tour was a concert tour by American rock band ZZ Top. The tour took place in North America and Europe from 1981 through 1983. Most of the venues were coliseums, though arenas were visited in later tour dates. Embracing the image of the El Loco album cover, band members Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill would typically perform in boilersuits with top hats. The El Loco-Motion Tour consisted of five legs and 105 shows. The set list included material from El Loco and their previous albums, along with several covers.
The Afterburner World Tour was a worldwide concert tour by American rock band ZZ Top. The tour took place in North America, Europe and Australasia. The set list featured material from the band's previous six studio albums. Venues were mostly arenas.
The El Camino Ocho Tour was a concert tour through North America and Europe, undertaken by American rock band ZZ Top. The tour's concerts were performed in casinos and fairs from May through September 2008. Band members Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill dressed in black biker jackets, along with baseball caps and boots. The El Camino Ocho Tour consisted of three legs and 60 shows. Some of the tour was depicted in the concert film Double Down Live.
The In Your Face Tour was a concert tour by rock band ZZ Top. The tour's concerts were performed in performing arts and convention centers from September through November 2008. Band members Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill dressed in black biker jackets with rhinestones, as well as baseball caps and boots. The In Your Face Tour consisted of 23 shows. As with the previous El Camino Ocho Tour, some of the tour was shown in the concert film Double Down Live.
The European Tour 2009 was a concert tour by rock band ZZ Top. The tour's concerts were performed in arenas and festivals from May through June 2009, consisting of 14 shows. Band members Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill dressed in black biker jackets, along with similar hats and boots.
The Necessity Is a Mother Tour was a concert tour by rock band ZZ Top. Launched in the wake of the cancelled Aerosmith/ZZ Top Tour, the tour's concerts were performed in theatres and arenas from September through November 2009. Band members Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill dressed in black biker jackets, along with similar hats and boots. The Necessity Is a Mother Tour consisted of three legs and 28 shows.
The 2010 World Tour was a concert tour by rock band ZZ Top, which began in April 2010 and ended in December 2010. Like recent previous tours, it was a short outing, though for the first time in the band's career, they performed in South America, including three shows in Brazil. The band played many of their classic 1970s and 1980s hits. Critical reaction to the tour's shows was generally positive, although the absence of new material was noted. A great number of tickets were sold within a month of the tour's announcement, which prompted more dates to be added.
The Gang of Outlaws Tour was an American concert tour by rock band ZZ Top. Coinciding with their newly released EP Texicali, the tour visited arenas and amphitheaters from May through June 2012, supported by opening acts 3 Doors Down and Gretchen Wilson. The tour's concept was inspired by the concept of cinema and meant to stray from their previous tours, staged as an elaborate multimedia presentation. It made use of cinematic elements to instill the simulation of a feature film to the audience. The stage featured a large video screen that showed visual effects, video clips of attractive women, music videos, song lyrics and live action of the band on stage. Gang of Outlaws and Texicali were central to the group's comeback.
The La Futura Tour is a worldwide concert tour by American rock band ZZ Top. Presented in support of their latest album, La Futura, the tour is visiting indoor and outdoor theaters, arenas, and festivals in North America, Australia, and Europe. To represent the novelty of La Futura, it was intended to differ from the group's tours in the past. The tour was an intermediately staged visual presentation by incorporating a "feature film" for each song performed.
The Grooves & Gravy Tour is a nationwide concert tour by American Rock band ZZ Top. Opening for ZZ Top at most stops on the tour was Atlanta-based Southern Rock band Blackberry Smoke. The tour consisted of 32 shows, including performances in the United States and Canada. "We’re looking forward to getting out there with the Blackberry Smoke guys," says ZZ Top frontman Billy Gibbons. “Grooves & Gravy promises to be one of the rowdiest outings of the year so come on out and get crazy with us.” Likewise, Blackberry Smoke lead singer/guitarist Charlie Starr proclaimed, “We can’t wait to go out and make music with the legendary ZZ Top."
