Just a lil’ ol’ band from Texas that’s been around for a half-century.
When I was allegedly attending college at the University of Northern Colorado in Greality we enjoyed a weekly bit of low-key debauchery called the Friday Afternoon Club (or FAC).
A Netflix documentary — “ZZ Top: That Little Ol’ Band from Texas” — brought this weekly skull-flush to mind. And this morning I dashed right on over to the Apple Music store and scored a digital copy of a 1973 album I already own in vinyl, “Tres Hombres.”
There. Global economy rescued by Your Humble Narrator. You’re welcome.
If you’ve shut yourself away and need something to do, why not try tapping your toes? Join the club!
Mad Blog Media 
March 20, 2020 at 8:21 am |
Music baby, that’s the ticket. Listen to it, and make it!
ZZ Top is an interesting group. Here is a CBS Sunday Morning look.
March 20, 2020 at 8:32 am |
I think it was Dusty Hill who, asked how the band had managed to stay together and keep touring for 50-odd years, replied: “Three buses.”
March 20, 2020 at 9:00 am |
Deguello is one of my favorite all time albums. Billy Gibbons has such a cool way of playing. Lots of textures. A local story here in Pensacola was that ZZ Top was scheduled to play the prom at one of the high schools. Right before the prom their album hit the radio and they got famous. Apparently they played the prom anyway even though they were in the big time. True or not, it’s a fun story.
March 20, 2020 at 9:09 am |
In the doc they tell a story about playing a gig for one guy. One. Guy. They even did an encore and bought him a Coke.
Dude still comes to their shows, too. “Remember me? I’m the guy. …”
I loved “Deguello” too. It’s not available on Apple Music for some reason, dammit.
March 20, 2020 at 9:17 am |
I’ve got it on cd that I ripped to mp3. I think the drums are different on the cd than they were on the album. I don’t remember there being so much reverb on the snare.
March 20, 2020 at 4:05 pm |
I have a similar tale. During the 70s I saw this band at the Market Cafe in Johannesburg.
They played traditional English folk, (like Steeleye Span & Fairport Convention), & I was blown away, so much so that I grabbed my mate John & we went down there the following Monday evening with our 5 litre cardboard cask of wine, (because we were classy).
Showtime arrived & I noticed with some unease that we were the only people in the venue. Band came on & passed a comment about the crowd, I said that we’d be happy to come back another evening.
Nah, they said, ‘you’re getting a show, Hey is that your wine?’
Whereupon, they helped them selves & we had a great night getting ripped & singing along.
We took more friends to see them the the following Saturday night, they saw John & myself in the audience & promptly announced that the entire Monday night crowd was there & pointed to the two of us.
Great times amidst all the chaos.
March 20, 2020 at 7:52 pm |
That’s a cool story, Hurben. How many bands would react like that? Damn few, is my guess. It’s a lesson to us all: Smile, and share the wine.
March 20, 2020 at 9:16 am |
I’d love to watch that Netflix show. Maybe after my girlfriend makes me finish watching Outlander.
March 20, 2020 at 11:13 am |
Seeing the lads sans big beards in their youth was cool. Always wondered what they looked like as civilians. Was also cool to see rockers still alive after all that road work that has taken so many weaker minds. Not many can handle the road travel over such a long period. Gotta say Frank’s drums were the glue that fastened ZZ Top to your entrails.
March 20, 2020 at 12:55 pm |
Watched the film. Got in my car tuned to some random radio station and fits tune is Smart Dressed Man.
March 20, 2020 at 4:01 pm |
Just spent a few hours listening to Beethoven’s 3d and 9th symphonies while doing some household chores. Uplifting, inspirational, and truly remarkable what the arts in all forms can do for one’s spirit. Stay safe and healthy Mad Doggers!