ZZ Top Tour
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ZZ Top 2019 50th Anniversary Tour Opening Bands: Cheap Trick & Lynyrd Skynyrd (on select dates)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What songs will ZZ Top play in concert?
ZZ Top broke through the mainstream in the early 80’s with their fused pop and rock album, Eliminator. Some of their most popular songs are lifted off this album and remain staples in their setlists.
The group has no problem opening with arguably their greatest hit, “Got Me Under Pressure” which led their breakthrough album, and remains an iconic hard rock classic. ZZ Top has a number of hits to their name and close the set with the trifecta of classic 80’s rock jams; “Legs,” “La Grange,” and “Tush.” This trio have formed the closing series of songs for close to five years, and fans have come to expect it.
The setlist remains almost universally unchanged from one show to the other. You can chalk that up to old age and keeping it simple while on tour, or the trio falling comfortably into what they know fans want to hear.
The set does squish in a couple of new songs from their Rick Rubin produced, La Futura. ZZ Top plays these new tracks almost back to back in the middle of their set. The ones they go for include “I Gotsta Get Paid,” “Flyin’ High,” and “Chartreuse.” The album had no singles for promotional purposes, so these are all handpicked gems by the band.
The below is a great representation of what you should except to hear on ZZ Top’s Tour:
Got Me Under Pressure
Waitin’ for the Bus
Jesus Just Left Chicago
Gimme All Your Lovin’
I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide
Pincushion
I Gotsta Get Paid
Flyin’ High
Chartreuse
Foxy Lady
Catfish Blues
Cheap Sunglasses
My Head’s in Mississippi
Sharp Dressed Man
Legs
La Grange
Tush
How long is a ZZ Top concert?
The three members of ZZ Top are Billy Gibbons, Frank Beard, and Dusty Hill. They average 64 years old, which is getting up there for an old school blues-rock group. Perhaps because of this, or because of the promotional $20 price tag for the group’s later shows, ZZ Top only brings out a 75 minute set of material, spanning across roughly 17 songs. Consider this an ‘exclusive selection’ of material, so expect a quick and dirty show in 2014.
Who is ZZ Top’s publicist and press contact?
The group has a long history with publicity head and manager, Bob Merlis, of Bob Merlis for hire or M.f.h. In addition to ZZ Top, Merlis manages other heavy hitteing clients of classic hard rock, like John Mellencamp, Dire Straits, John Fogerty, R.E.M., and Prince. For all publicity and management questions, contact Bob at bobmerlis@bobmerlis.com.
How do I get access to presale tickets for ZZ Top’s tour?
ZZ Top has been pretty open about obtaining presale tickets through their fan club and official website and provides a blog that adds new shows as they come available.
Is the original ZZ Top line-up still intact?
Yes! ZZ Top is known for the wild guitar work of Billy Gibbons, the pulsating drums of Frank Beard (ironically the only member now lacking the long beard) and the absurdly rich sound of Dusty Hill’s bass. All three members are intact and healthy.
Concert Reviews
“First off, it must be said that ZZ Top, in particular guitarist and singer Billy Gibbons, are national treasures who should be witnessed in concert at every possible opportunity. Just as a hypothetical example: if one’s wife was 40 weeks pregnant, and the baby’s due date was the very next day — you should (and we did) still show up.” – Matthew Wikening of Ultimate Classic Rock
“Later into the set, the two stringed instrumentalist strapped on fur covered axes and played the classic “Legs” with its familiar music video equivalent playing on the screens behind them. The night concluded with Texas style version of “Jailhouse Rock,” a worthy ode to the King. For three guys averaging the ripe old age of 64, ZZ Top kept the pedal to the metal all night and made blues lovers of the sold out crowd.” – Cornelius Crimple of the Washington Times
“Augmented by a backdrop of video screens flicking between the band on stage and a loose movie montage, they were introduced by a denim-clad blonde as “That Lil’ Ol Band from Texas” and opened with a thunderous Got Me Under Pressure that had their loyal band of grizzled rockers in the stalls nodding their heads in approval.” – Paul Jeeves of the Sunday Express
Tour Archive
$20 Best Night Ever
Started July 28, 2013 in Mountain View, California | Ended September 15, 2013 in Tampa, Florida
Rebels and Bandoleros: 2011 World Tour
Started May 31, 2011 in Charlottesville, Virginia | Ended October 30, 2011 in Charleston, West Virginia
2010 World Tour
Started April 23, 2010 in Tyler, Texas | Ended October 2, 2010 in Irvine, California
Necessity is a Mother
Started September 5, 2009 in Detroit, Michigan | Ended September 20, 2009 in Reading, Pennsylvania
Whack Attack!
Started July 8, 2005 in Wallingford, Connecticut | Ended November 11, 2005 in New York City, New York
Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers
Started May 7, 2003 in West Palm Beach, Florida | Ended September 20, 2003 in George, Washington
XXX Tour
Started August 13, 1999 in Fairborn, Ohio | Ended January 26, 2000 in Portland, Maine
Antenna Tour
Started April 30, 1994 in Shreveport, Louisiana | Ended November 6, 1994 in Houston, Texas
Touring with Recycler
Started October 18, 1990 in Orlando, Florida | Ended September 20, 1991 in Monroe, Louisiana
Afterburner on the Road
Started February 11, 1986 in Bismarck, North Dakota | Ended September 2, 1986 in Dallas, Texas
Eliminator
Started May 7, 1983 in Lake Charles, Louisiana | Ended February 12, 1984 in Biloxi, Mississippi
El-Loco Motion World Tour
Started May 29, 1981 in Knoxville, Tennessee | Ended January 8, 1982 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Expect No Quarter World Tour (Every Leg)
Started November 20, 1979 in Shreveport, Louisiana | Ended December 31, 1980 in Dallas, Texas
Worldwide Texas
Started May 29, 1976 in Winston Salem, North Carolina | Ended December 31, 1977 in Fort Worth, Texas
Touring with Fandango!
Started April 18, 1975 in Huntington, West Virginia | Ended March 8, 1976 in Binghamton, New York