The unexpected passing of ZZ Top's Dusty Hill in the summer of 2021 put a period on the first chapter of one of the longest running lineups in rock 'n' roll. They've carried forward, however, with longtime guitar technician Elwood Francis stepping in.
Hill reportedly instructed his bandmates Billy Gibbons and Frank Beard to continue with Francis in his place. Now, Gibbons tells UCR that the group will make new music with Francis, something which he terms as "an interesting excursion into the unknown."
First, they're taking things back to the beginning in a way that's fitting for a group more than five decades removed from the release of their debut album. Raw, a new live album, will be released on July 8. The set was recorded at the time of the band's 2019 documentary, That Little Ol' Band From Texas, at Gruene Hall – the longest running live music venue and dance hall in Texas.
ZZ Top runs through a loose collection of classics, while also pushing deeper into the depths of their catalog to pull out lesser-heard tracks like "Certified Blues" and "Brown Sugar," both from 1971's ZZ Top's First Album. Diehards will appreciate the many priceless moments put to tape, from the Texas shuffle of "Thunderbird" to the beer-drenched guitar licks of songs like "Blue Jean Blues."
We spoke with Gibbons in the midst of ZZ Top's ongoing tour as they were preparing to play a show in Tucson. He discussed the new release and the emotional experience of moving forward with Francis, while also sharing some humorous memories of Willie Nelson in advance of their concerts together this summer.
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