Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top Reflects on Band Without Dusty Hill and Frank Beard
Celebrating the remarkable milestone of 50 years of ZZ Top without the presence of bandmates and close friends Dusty Hill and Frank Beard must be a surreal experience for Billy Gibbons. The silver lining is that Gibbons is resolutely upholding the grand tradition of one of the most celebrated Blues-Rock bands in American music history.
Tragically, Hill passed away in 2021, but before his untimely departure, he gave his approval for the band to persevere with his guitar technician, Elwood Francis, stepping into the lineup. Francis not only possesses an intimate knowledge of the guitars and their tunings but also bears a striking resemblance to the iconic ZZ Top aesthetic with his long grey beard. On the other hand, drummer Frank Beard is presently undergoing therapy, necessitating his absence from the band’s Australian tour. Filling in for Beard is another longstanding member of the ZZ Top entourage, John Douglas.
In light of these challenging circumstances, Gibbons faces added pressure to deliver a memorable performance. The song choice for the opening act, ‘Got Me Under Pressure,’ seems particularly fitting given the situation. While ZZ Top has been co-headlining the Red Hot Summer tour alongside George Thorogood and the Destroyers, it is evident that both bands are offering truncated sets. Clocking in at under 90 minutes, ZZ Top’s setlist for this show notably excluded classics like ‘Tush,’ which prominently featured Dusty’s lead vocals.
Further absences from the setlist, such as ‘Sleeping Bag,’ ‘Rough Boy,’ ‘Velcro Fly,’ ‘Doubleback,’ and ‘Viva Las Vegas,’ which were popular among Australian audiences in the 80s, mirror the lineup from the band’s recent performances in the US. Given the significant lineup changes, Gibbons may have opted for a standard setlist rather than improvising the show to ensure a seamless performance.
While Elwood admirably stepped into Dusty’s shoes with his striking stage presence, John remained relatively obscured throughout the show. The audio production occasionally raised questions about the live instrumentation, with active sounds playing over instances of inactive playing. Nonetheless, the performance did feature highlights from ZZ Top’s extensive catalog, with classics like ‘La Grange,’ ‘Legs,’ ‘Sharp Dressed Man,’ and ‘Gimme All Your Loving’ resonating with fans and continuing to enjoy consistent radio play.
Admirers of ZZ Top’s earlier work, predating their mainstream breakthrough with ‘Eliminator,’ would likely appreciate renditions of tracks like ‘I Thank You,’ ‘I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide,’ ‘Waiting for the Bus,’ ‘Jesus Just Left Chicago,’ ‘Brown Sugar,’ and ‘Just Got Paid.’ While ‘Eliminator’ propelled ZZ Top to new heights, loyal fans who followed the band from its early days may find nostalgic satisfaction in revisiting these earlier gems.
As ZZ Top prepares for upcoming performances on the Red Hot Summer tour and their final theatre show at ICC Sydney Theatre, fans can anticipate an unforgettable experience with George Thorogood & The Destroyers, The Living End, Baby Animals, Rose Tattoo, and Dallas Frasca joining the lineup. The legacy of ZZ Top endures, with their timeless music continuing to captivate audiences worldwide.