Joe Bonamassa:
That time when Billy F. Gibbons set the dials on my Ultraphonix Fender Vibrolux at his own Birthday Jam!
Tag: ZZ Top
ZZ Top:
The Sharp Dressed Simple Man Tour is coming to a stage near you this summer!
Ticket sales start Friday, at 10am local time.
ZZ Top:
Check out the latest video for “Thunderbird” from RAW! And don’t forget that the band’s residency in Las Vegas starts Dec 3rd and runs through Dec 10th!
Jimi Hendrix (Official):
On November 17, 2022 Billy F. Gibbons appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live to pay tribute to #JimiHendrix while he played Jimi‘s own Gibson Flying ‘V’ electric guitar that was used throughout Jimi’s 1970 tour schedule.
Footage: ABC / Jimmy Kimmel Live
#Kimmel #FoxeyLady #Jimi80
ZZ Top:
For 3 nights only the ZZ Top “RAW” Texas vinyl picture disc will be sold exclusively in Austin, Dallas and Houston! Get your copy at the shows this week.
ZZ Top:
Jeff Beck will be joining ZZ Top for three new dates on the RAW Whisky Tour! Tickets will go on sale Friday, 8/5 at 10 am local time.
Billy F Gibbons met with Jeff Beck in Los Angeles for a photo session for the cover of Guitar World Magazine. On hand to document the guitar slingers’ summit was legendary British photographer Ross Halfin, who is seen here taking an intimate shot in 2014. pic.twitter.com/rmrRaW2UY7
— bluesharp (@bluezharp) August 1, 2022
ZZ Top: We’re excited to announce the return of Balcones Tres Hombres Whisky! Crafted in collaboration with Balcones, this little ol’ whisky from Texas is made with blue corn, malted barley, and rye. Now available at select retailers or available in limited supply at Keg & Bottle @ this location.
NEW ALBUM READIED FOR 7/22 RELEASE RAW WHISKY TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED
Tickets are on sale Friday, March 11th
ZZ Top are readying a new album titled RAW that was recorded in connection with the band’s wildly popular and critically lauded 2019 Netflix documentary That Little Ol’ Band From Texas. The Grammy-nominated feature from Banger Films and director Sam Dunn includes an interlude that finds the group’s classic lineup — Billy Gibbons, Frank Beard, and the late Dusty Hill — gathering for a very intimate session at Gruene Hall, “the oldest continually run dance hall in Texas”. That performance provided the basis for the RAW album release.
The album’s title is derived from the unfettered and straightforward manner in which the tracks were recorded. As seen in the film, the band members played, for the most part, together within sight of each other in the course of one day. The methodology employed was something of an homage to the way ZZ Top recorded at the start of its epic five-plus decades run at the pinnacle of rock’s pantheon. Billy F Gibbons served as producer with engineering by Jake Mann and Gary Moon; RAW was mixed by Ryan Hewitt. The album’s twelve tracks recall the very beginning of the band’s recording career (“Brown Sugar” and “Certified Blues” from ZZ Top’s First Album) and include many of their major hits (“Legs,” “Tush,” “LaGrange,” “Gimme All Your Lovin’”) with a definite blues skew (“Blue Jean Blues,” “Just Got Paid,” “I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide”) as well as some up-tempo house rockers (“Tube Snake Boogie,” “Thunderbird”).
RAW will be released July 22 by Shelter Records/BMG on 180-gram vinyl, CD, and through digital platforms and is dedicated “In righteous memory of Dusty Hill.” The album’s liner
Notes by Billy and Frank explain the approach:
..it was, in a very real way, a return to our roots. Just us and the music, no audience of thousands, no concession stands, no parking lot social hour, no phalanx of tour busses. Just us and the music.
We knew right then it was a very special circumstance, all of us in the same place at the same time, and what a time it most certainly was!
It was as bare-bones as when we first started touring in a behemoth Chrysler station wagon, driving vast stretches between those early far-flung shows under blackened Texas skies and first hearing our records on the radio. We were bonded as brothers.
‘The Dust’ may have left the building but he’s still very much with us.”
RAW Tracklisting:
Side 1
Brown Sugar
Just Got Paid
Heard It On The X
La Grange
Tush
Thunderbird
Side 2
I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide
Gimme All Your Lovin’
Blue Jean Blues
Certified Blues
Tube Snake Boogie
At the same time the new album is being announced, the band’s forthcoming RAW WHISKY TOUR has been revealed. The first leg of the tour, starting on MAY 27TH in San Diego, CA, will see the band on stage in 50 markets across North America, more dates to be announced soon. The tour’s title is a hat tip to both the forthcoming album as well as the recent release of ZZ Top Tres Hombres whisky from Balcones Distilling of Waco TX, a flavorful 100 proof mash bill of roasted blue corn, malted barley, and rye.
RAW WHISKY brings Billy, Frank and Elwood Francis to:
Tickets are on sale for most markets starting March 11th.
Date: City / State: Venue:
May 6th Niagara Falls, ON, CAN Fallsview Casino Resort
May 29th Paso Robles, CA Vina Robles Amphitheatre
June 1st Redding, CA Redding Civic Auditorium
June 2nd Saratoga, CA The Mountain Winery
June 5th Jacksonville, OR Britt Pavilion
June 7th Bend, OR Hayden Homes Amphitheater
June 8th Walla Walla, WA Wine Country Amphitheater
June 9th Spokane, WA First Interstate Center for the Arts
June 12th Billings, MT MetraPark – First Interstate Arena
June 14th Grand Junction, CO Las Colonias Park Amphitheater
June 17th Tucson, AZ Casino Del Sol’s AVA Amphitheater
June 19th Colorado Springs, CO Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts
June 21st Loveland, CO Budweiser Events Center
June 22nd Grand Island, NE Fonner Park – Heartland Events Center
June 24th Park City, KS Hartman Arena
June 25th Oklahoma City, OK Zoo Amphitheatre
June 26th Little Rock, AR First Security Amphitheater
June 29th Rogers, AR Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion
July 1st Toledo, OH Toledo Zoo & Aquarium – Amphitheater
July 2nd Sterling Heights, MI Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill
July 5th Fort Wayne, IN Foellinger Theater
July 9th Greenville, WI Greenville Lion’s Park
July 22nd Boston, MA Leader Bank Pavilion
July 23rd Watertown, NY Watertown Fairgrounds Baseball Diamond
Aug 27th Beaver Dam, KY Beaver Dam Amphitheater
Billy F Gibbons: Hola Amigos, Don’t miss the upcoming VIP opening of my exhibit: Billy F Gibbons Texas History Experience at The Bryan Museum in Galveston, Texas on March 25th at 5:30 pm.
ZZ Top: After 19 wonderful years of marriage that ended too soon, I’ve decided to step out into Dusty’s spotlight to thank all of his fans, colleagues and friends for the overwhelming outpouring of love for The Dust. It makes me hopeful he will not be forgotten.
He was the kindest, most gentle and caring man a woman could ever Hope to find in a lifetime. Many don’t believe in fairy tale marriages but Dusty and I truly lived one! We were inseparable.
He wasn’t supposed to leave me or all of you. That wasn’t the plan he and I had. The plan was for another round of physical therapy, with a different approach, to help his chronic bursitis. The plan was he would return to the second leg of the tour in September.
Early Wednesday morning my world and yours would lose a great musician and I would lose my greatest love. He woke me up and we talked and as he was sweetly chatting with me he suddenly stopped and he was gone in an instant. So, while I feel numb and lost and alone and in a million pieces, I know he will always be with me in my heart and soul and I will join him when the Lord calls me home to be with them. It is my hope you will always keep him in your hearts. He loved his fans and always remembered that without fans music is not heard. So, know he truly appreciated each and every one of you.
Dusty was an avid tv and movie buff…always quoting lines and so I share an embellished quote from “This Is Us” as my last love letter I send with him to his final resting place.
My Sweet Dusty,
The single most extraordinary thing I have ever done in my life is fall in love with you. The single most extraordinary gift I have ever received in my life was for you to ask me to marry you. I have never been seen so completely, loved so passionately and protected so fiercely.
I will be with you again.
Love you to infinity and back.
Your wife,
Chuck
I will lay my husband to rest tomorrow. I would ask that you look to the heavens at noon and wish Dusty Godspeed.
With great love, respect and appreciation to Dusty’s fans, colleagues and friends,
Mrs. The Dust
Official Band Statement
ZZ Top: We are saddened by the news today that our Compadre, Dusty Hill, has passed away in his sleep at home in Houston, TX. We, along with legions of ZZ Top fans around the world, will miss your steadfast presence, your good nature and enduring commitment to providing that monumental bottom to the ‘Top’. We will forever be connected to that “Blues Shuffle in C.”
You will be missed greatly, amigo.
Frank & Billy
Received this just now via text from @BillyFGibbons regarding passing of Dusty Hill @ZZTop . Billy told me okay to share w/fans: As Dusty said upon his departure, “ Let the show go on!”.and…with respect, we’ll do well to get beyond this and honor his wishes.
— Eddie Trunk (@EddieTrunk) July 28, 2021
Also this from @BillyFGibbons @ZZTop : Dusty emphatically grabbed my arm and said, “Give Elwood the bottom end and take it to the Top”.
He meant it, amigo. He really did.— Eddie Trunk (@EddieTrunk) July 28, 2021
RIP Dusty Hill. God bless. pic.twitter.com/vAZrEAs5oe
— Peter Criss (@PeterCriss) July 29, 2021
— Billy Sheehan (@BillyonBass) July 28, 2021
ZZ Top Bassist Dusty Hill Dead at 72 – Rolling Stone..RIP buddy!! I’m far beyond words right now.. https://t.co/Yr5za5ocQL
— REX BROWN (@REJASFROMTEJAS) July 28, 2021
We are devastated to hear about Dusty’s passing. We were so blessed to share the stage with the great Dusty and ZZ Top many times, and if that wasn’t Rock and Roll heaven, I don’t know what is. The show we did together just last week would be his last. So heartbreaking. pic.twitter.com/oKKslJ2U9M
— John Fogerty (@John_Fogerty) July 28, 2021
Wow!!!!! What is going on in July???? I’m shocked to hear of the passing of Dusty Hill from the mighty Z.Z. Top!!!! R.I.P.🙏#ripdustyhill #zztop pic.twitter.com/d0tsvgbItI
— John Corabi (@Crablegs59) July 28, 2021
So Very Sad To Hear Dusty Has Passed…Beautiful Soul…🙏🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/QkodF7jTKx
— David Coverdale (@davidcoverdale) July 28, 2021
Just heard the passing of one of my favorite #bassists#dustyhill @zztop 💔💔💔The album fandango changed my life-
one side studio cuts the other side live at the Texas T-bowl!
Thank you Dusty for instilling in me the almighty groove
Is king
RIP #bassman #thankyou #L&R
SM pic.twitter.com/w6Qu4A6791— Sean McNabb (@SeanMcNabbLA) July 28, 2021
Had a whisky for Joey last night. Will have one for Dusty this evening. At this rate I’ll be back to where I left off, or just die of a broken heart.
— Ginger Wildheart (@GingerWildheart) July 28, 2021
I’m deeply saddened by the loss of my friend #DustyHill. A great musician and a rock icon. My condolences and prayers go out to his wife Charlene, his family, and to Billy, Frank and to the entire @ZZTop organization. pic.twitter.com/quuLx1CpXg
— Christopher Cross (@itsMrCross) July 28, 2021
WOW! Dusty Hill. What an icon. @ZZTop ’s bassist forever. So unique. Always a gentleman from the days of us opening for them through the recent days of them opening for us. I don’t know what to say but “Thank you” and “Rest however you damn well choose!” https://t.co/tHfjLy1xbj
— Paul Stanley (@PaulStanleyLive) July 28, 2021
RIP Dusty Hill
Deepest sympathy to the ZZ Top family. “Great artists never die”! pic.twitter.com/qkJEwaB5wH
— Lita Ford (@litaford) July 28, 2021
It’s with heavy heart that I have to say goodbye to one member of That Lil’ Ol Band From Texas: RIP Dusty Hill from ZZ Top. I have loved this band since I was 14 & they are without doubt the coolest band on the planet! My condolences to his family, Frank & Rev. Billy G pic.twitter.com/mSTLZ7Id1y
— Paul Young (@PaulYoungParlez) July 28, 2021
Damn it’s been a BRUTAL month for musician deaths…Heaven just obtained the most eclectic band ever assembled 😔
RIP Joey Jordison (Drums)
RIP Dusty Hill (Bass)
RIP Mike Howe (Vocals)
RIP Jeff LaBar (Guitar)
RIP Gary Corbett (Keys)
RIP Robby Steinhardt (Violin)
RIP Biz Markie pic.twitter.com/G1nD9SxPiQ— Mike Portnoy 🤘 (@MikePortnoy) July 28, 2021
I hate that my social media has become more of an obituary but such is life, young or old, we are but mere mortals when our time comes.
RIP to the GREAT Dusty Hill of @ZZTop. Thank you for the decades of music!! pic.twitter.com/IGNHDfxkBy
— Jeff Scott Soto (@jeffscottsoto) July 28, 2021
Very saddened to hear about the passing of Dusty Hill. ZZ Top are such a crucial part of American rock & roll history. You always think these legends will be around forever… pic.twitter.com/tk9ExuZxrS
— del james (@deljamesgang) July 28, 2021
Dusty Hill was the kind of musician that could be in a world famous band, & be satisfied with making it work. Like Rick Laird, who also passed on recently, nobody seeming to notice. Getting it done with humility is the opposite of the narcissism that fuels modern music culture.
— Vernon Reid (@vurnt22) July 28, 2021
We are saddened to hear of the passing of Dusty Hill. Thank you for the years of music, rock, and funky bass licks. Rest in Power Dusty Hill, there will never be another like you. Our condolences to Dusty's friends, family and fans. We are thinking of all of you. pic.twitter.com/dQVwJJTrTS
— Gibson (@gibsonguitar) July 28, 2021
WWE is saddened to learn that Dusty Hill of ZZ Top passed away at the age of 72.
WWE extends its condolences to Hill’s family, friends and fans. https://t.co/8hxYBD59qy
— WWE (@WWE) July 28, 2021
Just devastated to hear of the death of Dusty Hill. We knew each other since high school, when my then-boyfriend was the drummer in 1 of Dusty’s early bands w his brother, Rocky. Spent many an evening at those early gigs together. RIPDusty #RIPDustyHill pic.twitter.com/HMmwv95s3Y
— Morgan Fairchild (@morgfair) July 28, 2021
While working at West Coast Video here in Houston in the early '90s, #DustyHill was a customer. I didn't want to fan out, so I asked for his ID as he came to the counter. Both times, he kind of glanced at me over his sunglasses & beard with a look of "Are you KIDDING?" 😂 #ZZTop pic.twitter.com/P1F8285cOn
— Bob Ruggiero (@BobRuggiero2) July 28, 2021
R.I.P. #DustyHill My deepest condolences to his family and friends. Thanks for the music and memories! #zztop pic.twitter.com/ZiUTZHivX1
— Bob Zilla (@BOBZ1LLA) July 28, 2021
Rest peacefully Dusty Hill! 😢💔
— Tony Franklin (@FretlessMonster) July 28, 2021
The Doors team is saddened to hear about the passing of @ZZTop's Dusty Hill. RIP.
Photo courtesy of Getty Images. pic.twitter.com/5VbuySEx3o
— The Doors (@TheDoors) July 28, 2021
Danggit! We lost another loving Giant legend of the Rock & Roll Empire, Mr. Dusty Hill.🙏😧 Prayer's going out to his Family & Friends…Thx u for blessing us all with ur gifts. R.I.P. pic.twitter.com/ks06yMtwjq
— Bootsy Collins (@Bootsy_Collins) July 29, 2021
I’m sickened by the passing of Dusty Hill! He was the glue in the ZZ Top sound. RIP & Thank you🙏👈👀@ZZTop
— Mark Kendall (@MarkKendall_GW) July 28, 2021
ZZ Top – Cheap Sunglasses 1980 https://t.co/zINadRemkI via @YouTube
— Vernon Reid (@vurnt22) July 28, 2021
Dusty Hill, bassist for ZZ Top passed away. Man I loved #zztop. One of the first rock concerts I ever went to was that tour when they shared the stage with a tremendous buzzard, and a gigantic steer that rose up from underneath the stage. Rest in peace Dusty. You were bad ass. pic.twitter.com/GVtyUPvfVN
— Perry Farrell (@perryfarrell) July 29, 2021
I told myself a while back that I’d missed seeing too many bands when I had the chance and when I got the opportunity to see ZZ Top who I somehow had missed seeing live my entire life, I couldn’t pass it up. I can’t believe it wound up being Dusty’s last show. Rest easy boss…. pic.twitter.com/eGTIWfsQph
— Tony Higbee (@tonyhigbee) July 29, 2021
A legend. May he Rest In Peace and rock the heavens. https://t.co/Ds1sGSIREm
— Dan Rather (@DanRather) July 29, 2021
For many of us, @ZZTop has defined what a great power trio could do & for how long they could do it well. #RIPDustyHill & as one of a million fans, I Thank You. pic.twitter.com/TMg78wN7iH
— David Wild (@Wildaboutmusic) July 28, 2021
Sad to hear that Dusty Hill, bassplayer for the legendary ZZtop, passed away. One of the VERY few bands that have been around for so long and were still in the original line up. Not anymore…R.I.P. legend..🎸☠️😔#dustyhill #zztop pic.twitter.com/iEgh9OuUnq
— adrian vandenberg (@Adriandenberg) July 29, 2021
R.I.P. Dusty Hill the solid bassist for ZZ Top, we toured with them during the Eliminator record and they were very good to us, my sympathies to the band and Dusty Hill’s family….🙏
— Felix Hanemann (@Felix_Zebra) July 28, 2021
A sad day in rock history. I am gutted to hear about the sudden passing of my friend Dusty. He will be remembered with love. Condolences to his wife Charleen, family and friends. – Paul pic.twitter.com/SeyLrK9Wcu
— Paul Rodgers (@_paulrodgers) July 29, 2021
For more than 5 decades Dusty Hill held down the low end for legendary rockers ZZ Top, his playing & singing the perfect foil for Billy Gibbons. We were honored to induct him & the band into to our #GCHollywood Rockwalk on August 18, 1994.
What are your favorite Dusty memories? pic.twitter.com/HPrGq3FnGk
— Guitar Center (@guitarcenter) July 29, 2021
Sorry to lose a great bass player and part of an iconic American band. Our heart goes out to his family, Billy Gibbons, Frank Beard and friends of the legendary Dusty Hill. Rest In Peace!!! pic.twitter.com/N4kjnUCe4d
— Aerosmith (@Aerosmith) July 29, 2021
R.I.P Dusty Hill🙏 pic.twitter.com/OzxhVMblY5
— Keith Richards (@officialKeef) July 29, 2021
Sorry to hear about Dusty Hill, greatly missed, a crucial part of the unique ZZ Top sound. pic.twitter.com/72GDzrXcZz
— Tony Iommi (@tonyiommi) July 29, 2021
Matt Sorum: Out today the new video for “She’s on Fire “
Taken from Hardware, the new album from Billy F Gibbons, available now on Concord Records.
Matt Sorum: Join Music Drives Us for a rockin’ night with “The BFG Three” featuring Billy F Gibbons, Matt Sorum & Mike Flanigin on Friday, December 13th, 2019. This event will take place at the Norwood Space Center.
For more information go to: MusicDrivesUs.org
Norwood Space Center
83 Morse Street
Norwood, MA 02062
Date And Time
Fri, December 13, 2019
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM EST
Join Music Drives Us for a rockin’ night with “The BFG Three” featuring Billy F Gibbons, Matt Sorum & Mike Flanigin on Friday, December 13th, 2019. This event will take place at the Norwood Space Center. For more information go to: https://t.co/FLePQVeQQw pic.twitter.com/lBhTk8WsCy
— matt sorum (@mattsorum) November 19, 2019
Join Music Drives Us for a rockin’ night with The BFG Three featuring Billy F Gibbons, Matt Sorum, and Mike Flanigin on Friday, December 13, 2019. This event will take place at the Norwood Space Center. Doors will open at 7:00 P.M. and food and drinks will be available inside.
You can purchase your General Admission Tickets for $50 or VIP Tickets for $300, which include food & drinks; a meet & greet with the band; and a prime viewing area during the show. This is a 21 plus event, and you must bring a valid ID for entry.
All proceeds will support our musical mission throughout New England!
Frank Beard: When I drove down to Houston, I hunted all over the place. Found Billy Gibbons, made him go, I mean I just threatened him. Made him go to the rehearsal studio and we jammed. I was jacked up on speed, so I made him jam for like eight hours ’til his tongue just fell out. (transcribed by fullinbloom)
#ZZTopFilm (That Little Ol’ Band From Texas) screens in 43 theaters across 11 states for today only! Visit ZZTopfilm.com for tickets. #NowPlaying
"I made him jam for 8 hours until his tongue just fell out” – Frank Beard on playing with Billy for the first time. #ZZTopFilm screens in 43 theaters across 11 states for today only! Visit https://t.co/Do631FB5BU for tickets now. #NowPlaying pic.twitter.com/xW0Pa5WYep
— ZZ Top (@ZZTop) September 9, 2019
ZZ Top: We’re rolling through Texas, Oklahoma, New York, Virginia, Kansas and Minnesota tomorrow. Here we are on the set of “Gimme All Your Lovin.” Get your tickets now at ZZTopFilm.com.
ZZ Top: That Little Ol’ Band From Texas is hitting screens in Canada tomorrow and the Pacific Northwest next week. Go to ZZTopFilm.com for tickets and listings near you. #zztopfilm
Directed by award-winning documentary film maker, Sam Dunn, That Little Ol’ Band From Texas offers an in-depth overview of ZZ Top’s career, examining how they went from an eclectic blues rock trio in Houston, Texas to international superstars and MTV staples by the early Eighties pic.twitter.com/VFzCZpzxQc
— ZZ Top (@ZZTop) August 27, 2019