ZZ Top is an American rock band from Houston, Texas. Formed in 1969, the group consists of guitarist and lead vocalist Billy Gibbons, bassist and co-lead vocalist Dusty Hill, and drummer Frank Beard. One of the most successful rock groups of all time, ZZ Top has sold over 50 million albums worldwide.
The band's musical style has been described as hard rock, blues rock, and boogie rock. Their lyrics often focus on humourous and sexual themes. ZZ Top's live performances are known for their long guitar solos and showmanship.
The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. They received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014.
ZZ Top's first album, ZZ Top's First Album, was released in January 1971. The album peaked at number 4 on the Billboard 200 chart. The singles "Francine" and "(Somebody Else Been) Shakin' Your Tree" were moderately successful, but the album's third single, "La Grange", became a huge hit, reaching number 41 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The band's next album, Rio Grande Mud, was released in April 1972. It reached number 1 on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified platinum by the RIAA. The lead single, "Just Got Paid", peaked at number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
From 1973 to 1975, ZZ Top released three more studio albums: Tres Hombres (1973), Fandango! (1975), and Tejas (1976). These albums all reached the top 10 on the Billboard 200 chart and were certified platinum by the RIAA. The singles "Tush" and "Legs" became huge hits, reaching numbers 20 and 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, respectively.
In 1979, ZZ Top released their sixth studio album, Degüello. The album reached number 5 on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified platinum by the RIAA. The lead single, "I Thank You", peaked at number 39 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
ZZ Top's next album, El Loco, was released in 1981. It reached number 7 on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified platinum by the RIAA. The lead single, "Tube Snake Boogie", peaked at number 3 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
The band's next album, Eliminator, was released in 1983. It was a massive commercial success, reaching number 9 on the Billboard 200 chart and selling over 10 million copies in the United States alone. The album featured the hit singles "Legs", "Sharp Dressed Man", and "Gimme All Your Lovin'".
In 1990, ZZ Top released their eleventh studio album, Recycler. The album reached number 5 on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified platinum by the RIAA. The lead single, "Viva Las Vegas", peaked at number 28 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
In 2003, ZZ Top released their twelfth studio album, Mescalero. The album peaked at number 4 on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified gold by the RIAA. The lead single, "Bang Bang", peaked at number 20 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks charts.
ZZ Top's thirteenth studio album, La Futura, was released in September 2012. It peaked at number 6 on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified gold by the RIAA. The lead single, "I Gotsta Get Paid", peaked at number 1 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
ZZ Top has released fifteen studio albums, forty-seven singles, and eleven music videos. They have sold over 50 million albums worldwide. They have been nominated for thirteen Grammy Awards and have won three. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004 and the Texas Hall of Fame in 2013.
Some of the band's most popular songs include "La Grange", "Sharp Dressed Man", "Tush", and "Legs". Subsequently, these songs feature heavily in tv shows and film, and have made appearences in Armageddon, The Perfect Storm, The Simpsons, Breaking Bad, Dazed and Confused, The Blacklist & Bones.
