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■ ZZ Top
ZZ Top is an American rock band formed in Houston, Texas, in 1969. For 51 years, it consisted of vocalist-guitarist Billy Gibbons, drummer Frank Beard, and bassist-vocalist Dusty Hill until Hill’s death in 2021. ZZ Top developed a signature sound based on Gibbons’ blues style and Hill and Beard’s rhythm section. They are known for their live performances, sly and humorous lyrics, and the matching appearances of Gibbons and Hill, who wore sunglasses, hats, and long beards.

ZZ Top’s drummer, Frank Beard, has died. He didn’t go on tour with ZZ Top for their 2026 Tour, due to “undisclosed medical problem” (instead ZZ Top had a replacement drummer Michael Monahan).

ZZ Top had a lot of commercial success with some famous singles like “Gimme All Your Lovin’”, (every girl crazy ‘bout a) “Sharp Dressed Man”, and (she’s got) “Legs.” They were the pop cultural iconic band of the 1980s, and my sister used to joke that most women has ‘legs’ and they ‘know how to use them.’

I think for me, I’ll always instantly recognize their long beard before the band. It’s what they are known for, despite, ironically that the drummer (named “Beard”) only has a mustache.

We saw ZZ Top in Aug 2023 and said, “As the chief songwriter for ZZ Top, Gibbons’ credits include iconic hits such as “Sharp Dressed Man,” “Legs,” “Cheap Sunglasses” and “La Grange,” the lead single from ZZ Top’s Tres Hombres album that catapulted the trio into mainstream success fifty years ago. “With a career spanning several decades, Billy has penned an array of timeless hits that have left an inedible mark on the music industry,” BMI’s VP of Creative Nashville, Clay Bradley said. “His ability to craft lyrics that resonate with audiences across generations is a testament to his songwriting prowess and he is the epitome of what the BMI Troubadour Award represents.” Dubbed “Nashville’s most glorious low-key party” (Rolling Stone), the night will include unforgettable tribute performances and commemorative speeches by special guests during cocktail reception and dinner. Gibbons joins the ranks of past Troubadour Award recipients including John Hiatt, John Prine, Robert Earl Keen and Lucinda Williams. Falling on the eve of AMERICANAFEST, the night serves as a homecoming for BMI’s Americana family of artists and is sponsored by George Dickel Bourbon and WP Global.”