I was able to see them twice. Both times at Arizona Bike week. First time with my older son James and the second 2 years ago with my younger son, Matt.
They sounded just as good as they did 30 years ago.
Shook hands with Dusty and Billy in Rapid City after they had rode the Hogzillas in from the Badlands where it had rained! They just walked around talking to folks. Very cool and down to earth guys. Loved them since I heard it on the X!
I have tickets to see them in September. Not sure what'll happen now - Billy F. has a new album out so I'm sure there's another bass player who can join the tour...but damn. What a loss. Heard it on the radio today and felt like I'd been kicked. 74? 72? That's a good run. Rest in peace, Dusty.
They started playing the PA State Fair in 1974, and reappeared every year until the mid teens! I saw them in '04, with ear plugs, and they still hurt. Truly visceral sound... "Same three guys, same three chords!"
Saw them in Mobile in the early 70's then again in the 80's in Tallahassee.Love the first four albums,have them on vinyl and it's a good thing I discovered cassette's or I would have worn them out. RIP Dusty Hill.
I just saw ZZ Top on sunday night. They played a show with willie and GT & the destroyers. I thought they did a great job handling the loss of dusty, very respectful. The guitar tech that has effectively taken his place stayed far away from "dusty's" mic and played just how he should. They closed the show playing Tush, using a very recent recording of Dusty on vocals (with his hat on the mic stand). If anyone has seen "the little band from texas" documentary that came out a couple years ago, you really have to be amazed by how amazing frank is behind his kit (considering the life he has lived).
Willie, on the other hand was quite a disappointment. Should have called it the Lukas Nelson show (and I have no problem with Lukas), as willie only played a handful of songs and sang even fewer. I get that he's getting on in years, but the whole thing just felt forced, like he was drug along by his family just to sell tickets. I was glad I got to see him again but I seriously doubt he will be with us much longer.
George did an amazing job, especially for the life he's lived and he's 70 or something now.
I'm seeing ZZ top again in about a month and really looking forward to it.
What I find interesting is, there was a story I read, that stated he had to cancel a show a couple of weeks before he passed, because of hip pain. I am wondering if he,like Tom Petty, may have accidentally overdosed.