1969 was a big year and many bands out there seem to be on the 50th anniversary tour. But don’t forget the Little Ol’ Band from Texas, ZZ Top, which brought its trademark beards and blues-rooted rock to the Grand Theater at Foxwoods as part of it’s celebration of half a century and still going strong.
Billy Gibbons on guitar and Dusty Hill on bass both wore long beards, probably not cheap sunglasses and hats. These have been their trademarks for decades. Joined by Frank Beard rounding out the ZZ Top trio on drums they gave the audience a night of hard driving Texas boogie blue rock. They played on a stage filled with amps and speakers that blasted out Texas style after many decades is well known. It’s a loud bass laden mix of mostly their hits from many years and albums produced.
Not much changes through the years at a ZZ Top show. They each have matching signature guitars, some with fur and others wildly painted. The steps are usually in tandem and well honed from many years of practice.
ZZ Top gained much of their following in the 1980’s when MTV was king and ZZ Top videos were over the top with cars, women and legs. It was fitting they made sure to include some of those video hits like “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” “Sharp Dressed Man,” and “Legs.” The audience ate it up and most of the front section was standing from start to finish of the concert.
ZZ Top fans don’t expect too much movement on stage by Gibbons and Hill. They tend to shuffle in unison and do an intro lead in to some songs. For the most part it is a flow from one song to another and the loud driving beats that gave them fame.
“La Grange” and “Tush” were the encore then they decided to hang a bit longer by finishing the night with “Jailhouse Rock.”
It was a treat to see the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame trio again and though their concerts don’t change too much year to year there are their hits that people come expecting to see and enough of them to fill an entire night of performing. It’s always a great rocking time to see them live and the crowd was definitely enjoying that they still put on an entertaining live show.
Review by Donna Ericshen
Photos by George Bekris
Setlist
Got Me Under Pressure
I Thank You
Waitin’ for the Bus
Jesus Just Left Chicago
Gimme All Your Lovin’
Pearl Necklace
I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide
I Gotsta Get Paid
My Head’s in Mississippi
Sixteen Tons (Merle Travis cover)
Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers
Just Got Paid
Sharp Dressed Man
Legs
Encore:
La Grange
Tush
Encore 2:
Jailhouse Rock (Elvis Presley cover)