ZZ Top to tour Brazil on May 2010

Well, someone at zztop.com has woken up and finally announced the High Voltage festival headlining date, along with the South American tour, which they list for May (not March) 2010. We only beat them to the scoop by a week, that's better than they have been.

Anywhooo since both of these tours are now confirmed we ask our readers to let us know when any new dates are announced in their areas.

New European Tour set for Summer 2010

OK, on the heels of the (unconfirmed) postponement of the (unconfirmed) 2009 South American Tour, our sources tell us that ZZ Top may be doing yet another European tour (weak dollar--let's go to Europe!) in the Summer of 2010. A London festival date is already rumored, who knows what else will be out there.

So the year for ZZ could look something like this:

March 2010--South America (rumored Sao Paulo [March 10, 2010])
July 2010--Europe (rumored London [July 24. 2010])
August 2010--USA (confirmed for Sturgis [August 9, 2010] and Wisconsin Dells [August 7, 2010])

ZZ Top Brazil and South American Tour Postponed?

Supposedly ZZ Top's (never officially announced) South American tour that was originally scheduled for December 2009 has been pushed back to March 2010 because their European set (which was going to be shipped to S.A. for the shows) was somehow damaged. Sounds funny but with this band you never know what's going on.

Bill Narum R.I.P.

Sad news in ZZ land, Bill Narum passed away. Bill worked with the band for many many years, and designed many of their classic album covers and tour backdrops. He also was the first webmaster for the official ZZ Top web site, and still ran the scrawl board at z-2-z.com.

Bill was always happy to talk with ZZ fans from around the world, and was even gracious enough to provide his original artwork, free of charge, for the recent ZZ Top Fanzz tribute cd.

He will be missed by many.

Headed up to Milwaukee

We are headed up to Milwaukee for the show tonight.

We doubt that we will see anything new or that there will be any changes
to the set list, but we will file a full report tomorrow.

Have Mercy.

ZZ Top to play at Country Music Awards

Rumor has it that the band -- maybe not the whole band, but at least
Billy Gibbons -- will be playing at the CMAs this Wednesday, likely with
Brooks & Dunn. Should be pretty cool.

ZZ Top on NASCAR today

Just a reminder for all of our U.S. readers to check out the NASCAR race from Texas right now on ABC. The Boyzz played a pre-race concert and they already showed footage on tv of a few of the songs. They also gave the "Genmtlemen, start your engines" instruction to begin the race. They will probably be interviewed during the race as well.

ZZ Top Brazil dates confirmed

It looks like the S.A. tour is now confirmed. One additional date to
add to the three we mentioned is December 12 in Rio at the HSBC Arena.

ZZ To Tour South America?

There are rumors floating around on the web that ZZ Top will do a short South American tour this December. We have not heard any confirmation on this but it wouldn't surprise us. We're waiting for them to play Japan again, too.

Here are some of the *tentative* S.A. dates:

Thursday 10 December 2009
ZZ Top Via Funchal
São Paulo, Brazil

Sunday 13 December 2009
ZZ Top Espaço das Américas
São Paulo, Brazil

Thursday 17 December 2009
ZZ Top Movistar Arena
Santiago, Chile



We'll let you know if we hear anything more.

In other touring news, we will be seeing the Boyzz at a small theater in Milwaukee on November 10 before they head up to Canada.

ZZ Top Meets With Prime Minister of Macedonia

We kid you not.

ZZ Top gets a great welcome into Bulgaria

Now, this is cool.

Set List from Budapest Hungary, October 15, 2009

Under Pressure
Waitin' for the Bus
Jesus Just Left Chicago
Pincushion
I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide
Future Blues
Cheap Sunglasses
Mexican Blackbird
My Head's in Mississippi(partial)
I Need You Tonight
I Loved A Woman
Foxy Lady
Party on the Patio
Just Got Paid
Gimme All Your Lovin
Sharp Dressed Man
Legs

First Encore:
LaGrange/Sloppy Drunk/BBQ
Tush

Second Encore:
Tube Snake Boogie

Notes: Frank banged his gong for the "Blues Technicians.". Patio sounded really bad. A few obnoxious drunks but overall a cool crowd and another great show.
--------------------------

Last show!

Hello everyone!

This trip has been fantastic, but tonight in Budapest will
be our last show before we head back home to Chicago.

We hope everyone in Europe enjoys the rest of this tour, go to the shows, you will not be disappointed!

Set List from Bratislava Slovakia October 14, 2009

Under Pressure
Waitin' for the Bus
Jesus Just Left Chicago
Pincushion
I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide
Future Blues
Cheap Sunglasses
Mexican Blackbird
My Head's in Mississippi(partial)
I Need You Tonight
I Loved A Woman
Foxy Lady
Party on the Patio
Just Got Paid
Gimme All Your Lovin
Sharp Dressed Man
Legs

First Encore:
LaGrange/Sloppy Drunk/BBQ
Tush

Second Encore:
Tube Snake Boogie

Notes: Billy didn't say where Bratislava or Slovakia during "Jesus Just Left Chicago.". When Billy threw the bottle of Jack to Pablo he dropped it and it slide off the stage, but Pablo jumped off the stage (like 3-4 feet high) into the pit to grab it. Crowd was pretty into the show.
--------------------------

Set List from Vienna Austria October 12, 2009

Under Pressure
Waitin' for the Bus
Jesus Just Left Chicago
Pincushion
I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide
Future Blues
Cheap Sunglasses
Mexican Blackbird
My Head's in Mississippi(partial)
I Need You Tonight
I Loved A Woman
Foxy Lady
Party on the Patio
Just Got Paid
Gimme All Your Lovin
Sharp Dressed Man
Legs

First Encore:
LaGrange/Sloppy Drunk/BBQ
Tush

Second Encore:
Tube Snake Boogie

Notes: Billy missed a few lyrics and I heard some complaints about the sound but it sounded pretty good from the front. There was a pretty big crowd.
No One Bourbon tonight, maybe that was a one-time deal?

On to Bratislava!
--------------------------

ZZ Top Live in Vienna

Set list from Mannheim Germany

Under Pressure
Waitin' for the Bus
Jesus Just Left Chicago
Pincushion
I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide
Future Blues
Cheap Sunglasses
Mexican Blackbird
My Head's in Mississippi(partial)
I Need You Tonight
I Loved A Woman
Foxy Lady
Party on the Patio
Just Got Paid
Gimme All Your Lovin,
Sharp Dressed Man
Legs

First Encore:
LaGrange/Sloppy Drunk/One Bourbon/BBQ
Tush

Second Encore:
Tube Snake Boogie

Switched it up a bit with I Loved a Woman, dropping Brown Sugar.

Between Sloppy Drunk and BBQ Billy sang a couple lines from "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer." An old John Lee Hooker song most folks in the States know by a cover of the song done by George Thorogood.
--------------------------

At the show in Mannheim...

Sorry mobile photos aren't working, will post set list after the show.
--------------------------

Set list from Essen Germany

We had a great time at the Grugahalle in Essen last night. Billy even brought Frank Braun and the Rockpalast promoter onstage. Here is the setlist from ZZ Top's October 9, 2009 show in Essen Germany (subject to change when we check the tape.):

Under Pressure
Waitin' for the Bus
Jesus Just Left Chicago
Pincushion
I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide
Future Blues
Cheap Sunglasses
Mexican Blackbird
My Head's in Mississippi(partial)
I Need You Tonight
Foxy Lady
Brown Sugar
Party on the Patio
Just Got Paid
Gimme All Your Lovin,
Sharp Dressed Man
Legs

First Encore:
LaGrange/Sloppy Drunk/BBQ
Tush

Second Encore:
Tube Snake Boogie

--------------------------

We are in Germany...

...And will be in Essen soon. Watch here for updates and a set list from tonight's show.
--------------------------

Essen here we come!

Well, we have booked our trip and will be hitting the Essen and Mannheim shows and possibly a few more as well

Watch this space for updates and set lists from ZZ Top's Fall 2009 Double Down Live European Tour.

ZZ Top Heads North in November

For reasons that make no sense whatsoever, after coming back from Europe the band will be heading to Canada for a few dates in British Columbia in early November. (I guess these are almost like make-up dates for the Aerosmith tour?) They start out in Dawson's Creek B.C. which might possibly be the furthest north they have played in a long, long time. I'm not sure how they even get there in November...fly-in I guess? Thre are only 15,000 people there and it just doesn't make economic sense unless they are heading south after playing Alaska or flying back from Asia or something????? Wait and see.

Check zztop.com for details.

Cool interview with Billy

from a Serbian site.

ZZ Top to play Sturgis 2010

ZZ Top will celebrate their 40th Anniversay by playing the Chip at Sturgis in 2010. This is at least the second confimred date for Summer 2010, and it's only September. Very unusual.

ZZ Top to play at NASCAR race at Texas Motor Speedway

Not sure how we missed this, but it has been announced that ZZ Top will play for an hour before the NASCAR race at the Dickies 500 race at Texas Motor Speedway.

F1 Rocks on Speed Channel

For those of you in the U.S., the Speed Channel will have a 1-hour F1 Rocks special at midnight Saturday night/Sunday morning. Hopefully there will be some interesting ZZ footage.
--------------------------

Singapore Photos

Some cool photos of the Boyzz visiting the F1 garage have been posted to ZZ Top's Facebook page. Frank has a Tab in his hand--did they ship it out special to Singapore or something?

Calling Singapore!

Hello Singapore--if anyone is going to the F1 Rocks concert please give
us a report on ZZ Top's set, especially what equipment they are using
and what the set list is.

Once the tour hits Europe I think the reports will pick up quite a bit.

Is anyone going to these club shows?

We haven't posted anything new recently because even though ZZ is playing this great club tour right now no one seems to be reporting back from these shows. No reviews, no set lists, nothing. We know some of our readers have gone to these shows (and several are going to the DC 9:30 shows) so we should have some updates soon.

Here is an article claiming they played "Party on the Patio" at the Kewadin shows:

http://www.wawa-news.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3885&Itemid=99999999

I kinda doubt it but would really love to hear that song live again.

ZZ Top on Rockline TONIGHT!

From ZZTOP.com:

ZZ Top will be the featured guests on the nationally syndicated radio
show ROCKLINE with host Bob Coburn on Wednesday night August 26 at
8:30pm PT / 11:30pm ET. Fans are encouraged to call to speak with ZZ Top
at 1-800-344-ROCK (7625). For a station near you and for information on
how to log onto the Internet for the broadcast, go to
www.RocklineRadio.com. This show will be streamed for two weeks on their
site, beginning the afternoon after the broadcast.

Taking a bow.

A few more for the John Mayer fans.

Here's your Blues Hat, Mr. Gibbons.

Sunset Strip House of Blues August 21, 2009: Set List and Notes

The Sunset Strip was packed Friday night, it seemed much more crowded and just "tighter" the the HOB Anaheim the previous night. The Bastard Winos again opened a little after 9:00. At 10:00 an Aerosmith song was playing on the PA ("Toys in the Attic") and a few minutes later the Boyzz hit the stage. Same outfits and guitars as last night but Billy was wearing new tennis shoes, one red and one black, with the tags still on them.

The set list was as follows:

Under Pressure
Waitin'for the Bus
Jesus Just Left Chicago (some lady from backstage or the VIP area throws three rainbow-colored hats on stage???)
Pincushion
I'm Bad I'm Nationwide
(Billy has two lovely ladies -- one of whom is his wife Gilligan, I think -- bring out his "Blues Hat.")
Future Blues
Cheap Sunglasses
Mexican Blackbird (Think this is staying in the set because they had graphics for it on the light-brite background.)
I Need You Tonight
Brown Sugar
Foxey Lady
Just Got Paid
Gimme All Your Lovin'
Sharp Dressed Man
Legs

Encore
-------------------
Billy and Dusty's techs place a small speaker on both sides of the stage. I told the guy next to me "This is something special, they never do this, someone is going to come out." They start out with:

Tube Snake Boogie

and then Billy talks about being home and having a lot of friends and he introduces John Mayer and Slash! After Mayer fiddles with his setup a bit everyone plays:

LaGrange and
Tush

A very special night, you never know what will happen at these club showzz!!!!

More photos to follow, unfortunately I didn't bring my regular camera because they usually don't allow cameras at the HOB, they didn't last night in Anaheim and didn't in 2007 at the Sunset Strip HOB either.

John Mayer and Dusty Hill

Dusty, Billy, and Slash

Dusty Hill and Slash

John Mayer and Billy Gibbons.

Holy shit!

Breaking newzz:

Slash and John Mayer join ZZ Top onstage for LaGrange and Tush!!!!!!
--------------------------

No live updates tonight

There is no cell service in the venue...almost like they have a jammer on or something, I can only get a signal about once every 20 minutes. So there will probably not be any updates until tomorrow morning.
--------------------------

House of Blues, Day 2

Well, last might was great, we played tourist today but tonight's show at the Sunset Strip HOB is fast approaching. We are hanging out at the "Riot Hyatt" across the street (now known as the "Andaz")and we'll be heading over in a bit. Having some major mobile Internet problems today so I'm not sure if there will be any live updates. As with last night, we'll post if anything really interesting or unusual goes down.

Set List and Notes from August 20, 2009 Anaheim House of Blues Club Show

We will try to post a few cell phone (no cameras allowed) photos later. Here is the set list (SPOILER ALERT) for Thursday night's ZZ Top show at the House of Blues in Anaheim, California at Downtown Disneyland.

The show started with the standard intro music. However -- and this cannot be an accident -- before that music started they played a very quick clip of a song that was cut off and then went into the intro music...I am 100% sure it was an Aerosmith song, pretty sure it was "Let the Music Do the Talkin'" So I think they were having a bit of fun with the whole Aerosmith tour cancellation. Stage setup was similar to to last few tours, Frank was playing the skull drum kit, but the speakers were really funky, very cool, see one of the photos below. They started out with the gold flake/pink on back guitars they have been using.

SET LIST:
Under Pressure
Waitin' for the Bus
Jesus Just Left Chicago
Pincushion
I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide
(Some hands Billy a copy of his book Gearhead which he signs on stage. Bily also brings his wife Gilligan on stage and asks if she wants to hear some blues.)
Future Blues
Cheap Sunglasses (Then Billy says, we're goin' down to Mexico, but instead of X:)
MEXICAN BLACKBIRD (not played regularly since 2004 or 2005, a shocker, sounded great but a bit rough)
I Need You Tonight
BROWN SUGAR
Foxey Lady
Just Got Paid (Billy doesn't use the gold guitar and instead purposely uses two different guitars for Paid, one looked like a Flying V, the other I don't know)
Gimme All Your Lovin'
Sharp Dressed Man
Legs (big-boxy fuzzy Gibsons)
_____________
Encore:
Tube Snake Boogie (switched to beat-up bass and different guitar)
LaGrange/Sloppy Drunk/BBQ
Tush

Brown Sugar!!!

--------------------------

Mexican Blackbird!!!

--------------------------

Uploaded - 8\20\09-4

road crew hard at work.

Stage setup

Pretty much the same as usual but new speakers...they look like squares suspended in the air diagonally.
-
--------------------------

Opening act

Is the Bastard Winos from the OC.
--------------------------

inside the HOB Anaheim

Headed to the venue...

...For tonight's show in Anaheim. Don't know what to expect from this club tour but we'll find out soon. I think iit will be probably the same ol' set list with just one of two rarities thrown in....maybe the Beverly Hillbillies Theme tomorrow?

If anything unusual happens we will live blog, otherwise look for a full report tomorrow. ZZ probably won't go on until at least 9:00 California time.

--------------------------

House of Blues Anaheim

one more test

Test 2

Sent from my iPhone

This is a test for live blogging photos

Sent from my iPhone

Belgrade show added

We are on our way to California for the showzz this weekend, but in the meantime, it looks like a date has been added for Belgrade in Serbia on October 18.
--------------------------

Let's Get Excited For These Club Showzz!

To celebrate the short club tour ZZ Top is doing before they head back to Europe (more on that later) we will be posting a few photos that we have taken over the years.

Dusty in Melbourne Florida December 2007:



Dusty says goodbye, Melbourne 2007:

More club dates being announced...

...for once someone over at zztop.com is on the ball: They have added a couple more dates including Detroit and the Murat (great sound there!) in Indianapolis.

We will be headed to Hollywood for the Anaheim and Sunset Strip HOB showzz this weekend, stay tuned for details!

More club dates announced...

...Including HOB Chicago on September 4 and the legendary 9:30 club (two shows) in DC.
--------------------------

BREAKING NEWZZ: ZZ Top to do House Of Blues Club Tour

So, if you've been wondering what ZZ will be doing now that the Aerosmtih tour has been cancelled, here's at least part of the answer:

They will be playing a number of House of Blues club shows, including the Sunset Strip, Anaheim, and Atlantic City locations.

The last time they did this, they played some real gems, like the Beverly Hillbillies theme song.

You heard it here first!

ZZ Top to play their first-ever concert in Bulgaria October 21, 2009!

The Boyzz will bring their Double Down Live tour to Akademik Stadium in
Sofia Bulgaria on October 21, 2009:

http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=106729

Have mercy!

New Date in Skopje on October 22, 2009???

We have had a few people tell us that ZZ Top will be playing in Skopje,
Macedonia on October 22, 2009. We have had NO CONFIRMATION on that
date, but it does seem to "fit" into what we know about their current
itinerary.

We'll let you know if we hear anything else.

Will the show go on?

OK, as most of you have heard, Steven Tyler fell off of the catwalk/stage at the Chip in Sturgis last night. Supposedly he broke his shoulder. The Winnipeg show is off, what happens to the rest of the tour is anyone's guess. Hope he gets better soon but it would be almost impossible, I think, to perform with a broken shoulder/collarbone, if that's what he actually has.

We'll let you know if we hear anything about what ZZ will be doing the rest of the summer.

New date -- Vienna October 12, 2009

No confirmation yet but it looks like the next date to be announced on ZZ Top's Double Down Live Tour will be Vienna Austria on October 12, 2009. Try this site for more details as soon as tomorrow morning.

What will ZZ's setlist be for the 2009 Double Down Live tour>

OK, ZZ Top's Fall 2009 "Double Down Live" World Tour looks like it will
be something special. A new dvd is being released, and they are playing
places they haven't played in 15-20 years, and a few others (Romania?
Singapore?) they have, as far as I know, never played. So here's the
question: What will they play? What will the setlist be?

We all know their set list is pretty standard these days....BUT...since
the Double Down Live DVD will include the Deguello-era Essen Germany
show which featured almost the entire Deguello album...wait for it...is
there a chance that ZZ Top will play the entire Deguello album on this
tour?

Lots of rock bands are doing that these days: Aerosmith (well, they
tried), Judas Priest (British Steel), Ratt (Out of the Cellar), Twisted
Sister (Stay Hungry), and Motley Crue (Dr. Feelgood) are all performing
albums in their entirety.

So, what do you think, would ZZ ever do this? Might it be enough to get
a little buzz started about the tour and the DVD (which hasn't even been
"officially" announced yet even though tickets are on sale and we have
been talking about it for weeks)? Wouldn't that be a good idea?
Sanctuary -- Live Nation -- Eagle Rock are you listening?

More details on upcoming concerts

September 25, 2009 Singapore

October 10, 2009 Amsterdam

October 27, 2009 Wolverhampton/Birmingham UK

October 28, 2009London Wembley UK

ZZ Top to play Amsterdam October 10, 2009

ZZ Top will be bringing their Double Down Live tour to Amsterdam at Heineken Hall (great name!) on October 8, 2009!

ZZ Top to Tour Asia in 2009!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It looks like ZZ Top will be playing at least a few shows in ASIA this year---when was the last time they played there????

The first date is allegedly in Singapore (!) for an F1 Festival on or about September 25, 2009.

Double Down Live indeed!

ZZ Top returns to the U.K.!!!!!

Some dates with Steel Panther!

October 27 2009 Birmingham
October 28 Wembley Arena London

Next stop: Romania

It looks like the next stop to be announced on ZZ Top's Fall 2009
"Double Down Live" tour of Europe will be Bucharest on October 20.

New ZZ Top concert date announced for Budapest

Well, this makes perfect sense, schedule/routing-wise, as it looks like
ZZ Top is scheduled to play Budapest (one of our favorite cities in the
world!) on their Fall 2009 "Double Down Live Tour." The tentative date
is October 15, 2009, but as always, it's not confirmed until the band
confirms it:

http://www.showtimebudapest.hu/event_details_en.php?eid=309

Antenna Head News

Hey, check out the new blog by ZZ Blues:

http://antennaheadnews.blogspot.com/

ZZ is a big enough band (still) that I'm surprised there aren't a few more sites like this. Other than the LOWPFT and the ZZ Top Live Collection site I don't think there are really that many sites that are being regularly updated with news/rumors/gossip etc. BTW, although our YouTube channel (along with ZZTOPFIN's channel) was shut down by ZZ's publishing compnay, I think that you might find some of TOPFIN's stuff now at Daily Motion, while we may wade back into the YouTube waters in a bit.

Anyway, good luck to the Antenna Head News, let's hope there is some new info for all of us to talk about (more European dates, new album, whatever).

More Fall 2009 European dates to be announced

We're getting a lot of questions about where ZZ Top will be playing when
they return to Europe this fall. We really don't know as we have very
little inside info but we can make a few guesses. They're most likely
to play places they didn't play in the summer of 2009, places they
either cancelled before (in 2007), or places they have not played in a
long time, or have never played.

If German shows are October 9-10, Bratislava is October 14, and Athens
is October 24 (have they ever played Greece before???), I think you can
assume that there will be dates between October 14-24 in places in
between Bratislava and Greece. Good guesses would be Croatia,
Bulgaria, and Romania, and we are getting lots of traffic from those
countries, so that's sometimes a clue. And rock music is getting huge
in Turkey, they may even give that a shot. And they haven't played a
proper UK or Italian tour in a long time, and Poland could use a few
shows. But since none of these dates have been "officially" announced
by the band, you never know.

If you hear anything about local dates in your area, please let us know
by leaving a comment or by e-mailing us at:

zztopeurope2007@yahoo.com

ZZ Top to re-tour Europe in October 2009

The title says it all! Dates are slowly being announced for the Top to
return to Europe just a few months after the early summer 2009 tour. I
think this is probably due to the earlier tour being cut short due to
hooking up with Aerosmith for the rest of the summer.

The important date right now is ZZ's return to the scene of the
Rockpalast show in Essen Germany. Also on tap so far are dates in
Mannheim Germany, Bratislava Slovakia, and Athens Greece. They are
headed to some parts where they ain't been for a long time, if ever.

This should be fun.

ZZ Top to host WWE Raw this Monday night!

Looks like the Boyzz will be doing a lil' rasslin' while waiting to see if the Aerosmith tour will resume:

http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/articles/9678798/10853082

First clip up from ZZ Top: Storytellers!!!

VH1 TV Shows | Music Videos | Celebrity Photos | News & Gossip

Some dude just leaped off the stage

Into the pit during Under the Blade.
--------------------------

Saw a bit of Keel's set...

Somebody was actually crowd surfing during I Want A Woman. Never seen that at a Ratt concert before.
--------------------------

Extreme announced they are touring with Ratt...

...This summer, not sure if that had been publicly announced yet?
--------------------------

KIX killed, saw a bit of Phils LA Guns

Now Extreme is on main stage
--------------------------

Dokken was good,

Caught a bit a of Steel Panther, and now, what we've all been waiting for:

KIX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
--------------------------

Bulletboys just finished

On the side stage and Dokken is on the main stage. The main and side stages are clashing, had to miss most of BB during Jani's set and when they were done Dokken was already on. Stages are pretty close, though.
--------------------------

Jani Lane on main stage...

Only seems to be half drunk, that's a big improvement, his band includes Kerri Kelli and James Kottak.

Jani is smoking onstage and they put this message on the screens that smoking in this county is a $250 fine. We all laughed. Jani lights his cigarettes with $100 bills.
--------------------------

Nice sets from Y and T and XYZ

Up next is Slaughter (first time we've seen them in a while) with the always-great Jetboy on the side stage.
--------------------------

M3 update

Y and T onmain stage now, clashing with XYZ on sidestage. Pretty damn big crowd for 12:30, lawn is filling up already too.
--------------------------

M3 Festival

Well, the Top is in Europe, and we are not. More on that later.

Today we are headed to the M3 Festival in Maryland. Should be a blast.
--------------------------

Tesla: Cummin' Atcha Live!

We had a great time last night at the Tesla show at the historic Rialto Theatre in beautiful downtown Joliet, Illinois. We've seen some great shows there. We've put plenty of videos on our YouTube channel, here is just a taste:

Rocky Hill R.I.P.

Some sad news...Dusty's brother Rocky Hill passed away after a long illness.

If you can find any of Rocky's solo albums they are definitely worth picking up. You'll find some of the rare tunes ZZ plays (for example, "I walked from Dallas") on those albums.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Dusty and the entire Hill family.

ZZ Top Storytellers: Reverend Gibbons Re-marries Couple from Texas!

Well, since there was a pre-show article about this, and since some photos are already out there on Wire Image, we'll let you in on something very special that happened last night.

We were sitting right next to a very nice couple from Amarillo, Texas who had a "romantic" request for the band.  When the wife rose to ask her question, she explained that ZZ Top had been a very big part of their courtship and their marriage, and she asked the Reverend to perform a renewal of her and her husband's marriage vows!

Billy graciously agreed and asked the couple to come up onstage.  Billy did a very nice job and said some beautiful words about love and marriage, and I think he even pointed out his own wife Gilligan (don't remember if this was then or later in the show?) in the crowd.  When Billy finished, he had the couple seal the renewal with a kiss. 

At one point Billy said something about a marriage gift, or what does every bride want, something very sincere like that, and some clever fan yelled out "Pearl Necklace" -- that was very funny, let's hope it makes the final cut!

Storytellers Report

OK, we just got back from Storytellers. We'll try to have a longer report tomorrow, not sure if we should ruin the surprise of some of what happened.

There were no new songs or "rare" old songs played. The set was really killer, we were all essentially sitting onstage with the band. We had second row on Dusty's side and couldn't always see because of the camerman in front of us. We got to ask a question (one of only a handful that were asked) and will probably have a bit of screen time in the final cut.

The setting was great. The performance was great. The interaction was maybe not quite as much as we expected but that's a minor complaint. They only did about 10 songs or something and went back and played some of them twice (!) for production reasons. Since we were all on "stage" after the show ended the fans swarmed the set and I almost accidentally knocked Dusty's mike stand over. Or something along those lines.

Be sure to tune in to VH-1 when this episode airs on June 27.
_

We're on tv!!!

--------------------------

Billy's wife is here

Still waiting for show to start
--------------------------

Roadhouse stage

We are second row.

Bobby Z kids in front row.

Think Black Keys are here.

Ser similar to chrome bbq box set. Killer stage.
--------------------------

Black Keys

--------------------------

Still in freakin' line!

--------------------------

Five minutes to entry set is like Roadhouse.

All phones must be off so updates may be scarce.

Have Mercy!!!!
--------------------------

Still in line

Told that only 150 people for this show.
--------------------------

In the Congress lobby now

About 100 people here.
Lots of friendly faces.
--------------------------

Questionzz for the band

We have already drafted our questions for the band, but if anyone else has a good one, please e-mail it to us ASAP (ie before 4:00 Chicago time!) at:

zztopeurope2007@yahoo.com

We will post our list of questions (even if none of them are answered) after the show.

Storytellers updates and another rumor...

Hey everyone, tomorrow night is shaping up to be a great show. The fun thing is that no one knows exactly what they are going to do, but the production people are telling us to arrive no later than 5:30 and be prepared to stay until 9:30.

Will they do any new songs? Will there be any guest stars? Will they dust off any oldies but goodies that they haven't played in 10, 15, or even 20 years? Tune in to Storytellers (and here, too;) to find out!

You won't see any photos or video from this show but we will try to do a little live blogging. We won't be blogging every song because we want to enjoy this very special show but we will try to send one or two updates and promise you the first post-show update on the web.

We did stop by the Congress Theater today and they have a bunch of MTV trucks parked there along with ZZ's truck and a couple of portabel generators. Still seem to be setting everything up so maybe the Boyzz aren't even here yet? When was the last time MTV was involved at all in anything the band did...I know technically this is VH-1 but it is all pretty exciting.

In other news...we have heard from two different people rumors that ZZ may occupy one of the two remaining open headlining slots at Rocklahoma. Not sure if this is solo or in conjunction with Aerosmith or what, and I wouldn't qualify this as a strong rumor, but it's out there.

Storytellers Approaches!

Hey everyone;

The VH-1 Storytellers show with ZZ Top is scheduled for taping on March 31 at the Congress Theater right here in Chicago.  We will be there with a few of our rowdy friends and we'll be sure to let you know how it goes.

Supposedly there will be a lot of opportunities for band-fan interaction, so this could be very interesting.  Be sure to watch this program on VH-1 when it eventually airs.

Billy switches back...

To the gold flake with the beer sticker on the back for

Gimme all your Lovin'
--------------------------

Show over

With tush at 7:00, 1 hour no encore just like 2007.

Band driven away in black SUV.
--------------------------

Cheap Sunglasses

--------------------------

Legs with boxy fuzzy guitars

--------------------------

Switch to red Billy Bo

For Lagrange (short version)
Followed by Tush
--------------------------

Sharp Dressed Man

--------------------------

Next three songs

Get Rhythm
I'm Moving On
both with Elwood on steel guitar.

Billy then switches out the gold-flake guitar for anotheryellowsih guitar. Not the gold Pearly...looks almost like a Gibson Flying V? Maybe another Gretsch? Don't know my guitars...used on:

Just Got Paid
--------------------------

Boyzz are using the gold-flake

Guitars and weariing black outfits with rhinestones and flames on them.
--------------------------

Pincushion

--------------------------

Jesus just left Chicago

--------------------------

Bus

--------------------------

Pressure

--------------------------

Lights out at 6;00

--------------------------

Reception is poor...

...Inside Reliant so you may not hear from me again until tonight.
--------------------------

Elwood is in the House!

We took a peek at the stage and the steel guitar is set up again so it looks like we may see Get Rhythm and I'm Moving On again.
--------------------------

We are at the Rodeo

Having a blast as always. The actual Rodeo starts at 3:45, ZZ will probably go on between 6:00 and 7:00. We will live-blog the show again, but if it is the same set as Billy Bob's we will not do the whole show.

Check back later.
--------------------------

Full Review of Billy Bob's Show

Here’s a complete report from the now-legendary Billy Bob’s show on Thursday night.

Prior to the show at the sound check, I noticed that they had both drum kits on stage (Frank’s and Billy Bob Thornton’s -- hereafter BBT-- drummer’s kit) at the same time, which is a strange way to do a sound check.

ZZ went on first. Before their set, I noticed there was something set up stage left which looked like a keyboard (but turned out to be a steel guitar--hey, it was dark and the stage was raised!) so I knew something special was about to happen.

The band started at about 9:35 playing with a sparse stage setup in front of the iconic Billy Bob’s Texas-shaped sign. Things started out normally with Under Pressure. Dusty’s vocals almost could not be heard but that technical problem was solved quickly. The outfits and guitars (with one exception--wait for this) were pretty much what they have been using the last year or two. The crowd was into it and the place was starting to heat up. Billy told us they were here opening for BBT because they were friends with BBT and that if he let them stick around all night there would be something special at the end.

After a few more of the usual tunes Elwood Francis walks out wearing the same outfit he had on when he played with them at the Houston Rodeo in 2007. (Sammy Sanchez was also at this show, although he seemed to be working with BBT’s band and not Billy. So I’m not sure if Billy has two techs now or what. Elwood brought Billy’s guitars out all night.) Anyway, back to the point. Billy says that since they’re playing at Billy Bob’s they have to pay tribute to that heritage, and they start into a Johnny Cash song with Elwood on steel guitar. Billy sang (usually Dusty sings the Cash songs) and I must say this song sounded really great. Then Billy says how about some Hank Snow?

How about some what? At this point I have no idea what they’re doing, but with Elwood still on steel guitar they rip through a great cover of “I’m Moving On.” One cool thing when they do these covers is that you get to learn a lot about their influences. The rest of the set was pretty standard, Pincushion, Foxy Lady, the usual.

I did a double-take when they did Legs, though--the old fuzzy Gibson guitars are gone! They have been replaced by some sort of box-shaped furry guitars, think one of Bo Diddley’s guitars covered in fur. (I wasn’t close enough to see what these guitars actually were, but that’s what they looked like.)

So the set ends and a while later BBT’s set begins with BBT on vocals. He talks about ZZ quite a bit, explains that he has known Frank for many years, since he was drummer in a ZZ tribute band called Tres Hombres. BBT also says that just because ZZ’s set was over doesn’t mean they’re not coming back out!

A bit before 1:00 BBT finishes his set on goes offstage. The crowd is chanting “ZZ Top, ZZ Top” and people are standing on the tables. Then something really cool happens: the crew moves the BBT drums over a bit and wheels Frank’s skull kit back onstage! The crowd is going nuts and there are now two drums kits on stage. BBT comes back out and sits behind his band’s drums and Frank walks out and hops behind his kit. They both start jamming on the drums and the entire BBT band comes back out and they jam for more than 10 minutes on two separate songs. Frank is really killing it, sometimes it looks like he is bored back there but tonight he really seemed to be having a great time, smiling and laughing and enjoying himself.

Finally, BBT’s band leave and the crowd is going nuts. Billy and Dusty come back, Frank leaves his kit to sit next to BBT, and the band rips into “I Thank You” with Billy Bob Thornton playing drums.

You don’t see that at every show!

They sounded killer again, and it was all over. I assume (although you never know) that these weird songs will be in the Rodeo set but we’ll have to wait and see.

I think this is the most fun I’ve ever seen the band have, it was really an incredible experience. I know Billy plays with other acts all the time but I don’t think I’ve ever heard of Frank playing drums for another band---that may be a first? And other than the time Texas Gov. Rick Perry played with them (and the short time where Frank was sick in Europe) I’m not sure when they have ever played with another drummer?

I have some video of the “good stuff” up at my blog and will try to add a few more/photos later. Out all of the shows I have ever seen them play (lost track at this point) this was perhaps the greatest of them all.

Looking forward to Sunday’s show and to Storytellers (can that top this show?) in Chicago on March 31!

Ken Wysocki
Chicago

I Thank You!

Thanks to everyone who was reading during the live-blogging last night. It was kind of a silly idea, but at least there was some drama and quite a few surprises!

We will try to do the same for the Rodeo show on Sunday but we probably won't do every song unless they throw in something different.

In the meantime, here are some of the gems from last night:

The end!

But someone might have some footage on the YouTube tomorrow!
--------------------------

I thank you fuck yeah

--------------------------

Wholeband is back on stage

W two drummers
--------------------------

Bbt singing noe

--------------------------

Frank

On drums
Bbt on drums
Jamming
--------------------------

BBT ended his main set

Without an encore. His drums are being moved and Frank's are coming back out! Two drummer attack!
--------------------------

Fun fact:

BBT's bass player is Chuck Garric, who has played with LA Guns, Dio, and most recently Alice Cooper.
--------------------------

BBT

Is explaining how they got ZZ to open for them and says ZZ will be back out later.
--------------------------

Sammy is

Still helping BBT's band.

Dusty is now hanging out on the side of the stage.
--------------------------

Sammy Sanchez is still

Tuning guitars. So either he is working for BBT or ZZ will be back to do something???
--------------------------

Tush

--------------------------

Drunk girl cleaned up beer

With her own sweater.

Now trying to grope me.
--------------------------

Sloppy drunk/bbq

--------------------------

Drunk girl spilled whole bottle

Of beer on cool guy's camera. Yikes!
LaGrange
--------------------------

Legs

With new furry guitars or they have been re-furred?
--------------------------

Sharp dressed man

--------------------------

Next song:

Gimme
--------------------------

Billy says

Stick around to the end of the night for something special.

Switches from Beer Billy-Bo to Gold Pearly-next song Paid.
--------------------------

Next song

Foxy Lady
--------------------------

Elwood killed those two songs...

...I just don't know what they were!

Next song: Two Trains
--------------------------

Hank Snow song?

WTF?
--------------------------

Elwood on steel guitar

Johnny cash song
--------------------------

Billy says no rulesb tonight

Then says two rules
1 no drinking during Gospel songs
2 no gospel songs!

Next song: Sunglasses.

Think what in the dark looked like keyboards is actually a steel guitar? Wait and see!

That was Zakk Wylde.
--------------------------

Pincushion

--------------------------

Third song:

Jesus (of course!)
Thought I just saw Zakk Wylde here? Didn't get a good look.
--------------------------

Dusty's vocals are really

Off, can hardly hear him.

Second song: Bus

--------------------------

Pressure

--------------------------

Onstage

--------------------------

Intro music

--------------------------

Does Billy have 2 techs?

Looks like Elwood and Sammy are both here?

Keys are still on stage!!!
--------------------------

Drums are uncovered!

Almost time. Same skull kit as last year.
--------------------------

Dj who introduced them in 1981 is onstage talking.

--------------------------

The wait is killing me...

...Sitting next to a cool guy with a homemade ZZ Top tattoo, wearing an El Loco shirt...on the back it says its from (their last) show at Billy Bob's in 1981!
--------------------------

Stage setup

I noticed during soundcheck that there were two drum sets and a keyboard set up on stage. I assumed that was because of how they were doing the soundcheck. But the keyboard is still on stage, uncovered. Why would they leave that out uncovered prior to ZZ'z set? Hmmmm.
--------------------------

We're in the venue...

...But the reserved seating area hasn't opened up yet.
--------------------------

A few photos...

...from the set-up/sound check at Billy Bob's. They haven't played a place like this in a *long* time.