ZZ Top: Still Kickin' after 40 Years

September 13

The bearded bad boys of blues-rock, ZZ Top rocked out on their first of two nights at the 9:30 Club. The Houston-based trio formed in 1969 and retain its original members--Billy Gibbons (guitar & vocals), Dusty Hill (bass & vocals), and Frank Beard (the drummer, and only one not actually sporting a beard).

Why, you may ask, would ZZ play a smallish venue such as the 9:30, which generally maxes out around 1,400. Local ZZ Top fans have Steven Tyler to thank. The lead singer of Aerosmith fell off the stage about a month ago, breaking his shoulder and thus cancelling the remainder of their tour. ZZ had been Aerosmith's opening act. The ZZ three were already revved up to tour, so they carried on in smaller venues, though at an elevated price. Tickets went for $75 + service fees.

From older bikers to young preppies, the crowd rocked out to all the classics, in a high-energy set that included "Cheap Sunglasses," "Sharped Dressed Man," "Legs," "Tush," and "Gimme All Your Loving." Gibbons had two rules for the crowd: he said there'd be no drinking during their gospel songs, and rule 2: there wouldn't be any gospel songs. The crowd roared. The club's acoustics were particularly good that night, and opening act, local blues-rockers Justin Jones & the Driving Rain, were the perfect complement to this rocking evening.