ZZ Top - News

Get Your ZZ Top VIP Packages Before They're Gone!

Thu, 10 May 2012 16:10:00 -0700

Thanks to everyone who picked up their VIP Package for the "Gang of Outlaws" tour. We can't wait to hit the road and get to hang out with you guys!

For the shows that aren't sold out yet -- make sure you get the jump on it and pick up your package today as sales will be closing very soon. Don't want you all to miss out!

Below are all the tour dates still available:

5/26 Atlantic City, NJ at Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort - Etess Arena

5/27 Mashantucket, CT at MGM Grand at Foxwoods Casino

5/30 Scranton, PA at Toyota Pavilion

6/1 Winston-Salem, NC at Lawrence Joel Coliseum

6/2 Fort Bragg, NC at Fort Bragg

6/3 Fredericksburg, VA at The Job.com Pavilion

6/5 Glen Allen, VA at Innsbrook Pavillion

6/6 Simpsonville, SC at Charter Amphitheatre

6/8 St. Augustine, FL at St. Augustine Amphitheater

6/9 Atmore, AL at Wind Creek Casino & Hotel

6/10 Alpharetta, GA at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre

6/15 Estero, FL at Germain Arena

6/19 Southaven, MS at Snowden Grove Park & Amphitheater

6/20 Nashville, TN at Bridgestone Arena

6/22 Baton Rouge, LA at Baton Rouge River Center

6/24 Dallas, TX at Gexa Energy Pavilion

6/26 Des Moines, IA at Wells Fargo Arena

6/27 Clarkston, MI at DTE Energy Music Theatre

6/29 Hinckley, TX at Grand Casino Hinckley

Hope to see you at the show!

From www.zztop.com

New ZZ Top Single "I Got To Get Paid"

Tue, 08 May 2012 10:05:00 -0700

ZZ Top has partnered up with Jeremiah Weed to bring you the band's first NEW single in nine years, "I Got To Get Paid"! This is one badass video, follow the link to watch: http://budurl.com/ZZTopVideo

From www.zztop.com

Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill welcome Freddie King to Hall

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 09:40:00 -0700

From www.zztop.com

Rio Grande Mud 40th Anniversary

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 15:30:00 -0700

ZZ Tops 1972 sophomore album Rio Grande Mud turns 40 this month. The album is best known as home to the longtime concert favorite Just Got Paid, which features a particularly thrilling slide guitar showcase from Billy Gibbons.

ZZ Tops First Album yes, thats what they called it hadnt made much of an impression on the charts when it came out the year before, but s lead track, which featured vocals from bassist Dusty Hill, made a bit of a dent, becoming their first charting single. (Things would really bust open for the group with 1973s Tres Hombres.

From www.zztop.com

VIP Packages Available Now for Gang Of Outlaws Tour!

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 06:00:00 -0700

The little ol' band from Texas is gearin' up to hit the road again and this time, they're bringing friends! ZZ Top will be touring with 3 Doors Down and Gretchen Wilson starting May 25th in Manchester, NH. We are also excited to announce that exclusive VIP Packages are available NOW for select dates!! Get a guaranteed up close ticket and even get to hang backstage and meet the boys after the show!

All of the VIP Package details are listed below:

ZZ Top Diamond Package - $250
Guaranteed Ticket in First Five Rows
Meet and Greet with ZZ Top
Personal Photo with ZZ Top
VIP Early Entrance to Venue
Autographed VIP Only Lithograph
Exclusive VIP Only Laminate
Crowd Free Merch Shopping

ZZ Top Gold Package - $125
Guaranteed Ticket in First 15 Rows
VIP Early Entrance to Venue
VIP Only Lithograph
Exclusive VIP Only Laminate
Crowd Free Merch Shopping

Click here for a list of the dates that are currently offering VIP Packages. If your city isn't on sale yet, we will let you know as soon as it is.

See you at the show!

ZZ TOP

From www.zztop.com

GANG OF OUTLAWS TOUR ANNOUNCED STARRING ZZ TOP AND 3 DOORS DOWN WITH SPECIAL GUEST GRETCHEN WILSON

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 10:20:00 -0700

Sure to be one of this touring seasons hottest packages, The Gang of Outlaws Tour, brings three leaders of their respective genres together for six weeks of performances this May and June. Joining the legendary ZZ Top are 3 Doors Down and, on most of the dates, Gretchen Wilson. The tour will alight at select eastern, southern and mid western venues, kicking off May 25 in Manchester, NH.

ZZ Top, That Little Ol Band From Texas will be topping the bill and playing the songs that have made the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers American music icons in the forefront of blues-based rock for more than forty years. The bands line-up of Billy F Gibbons, Dusty Hill and Frank Beard has been intact all that time a feat unequalled in the annals of music history. Their catalog of massive hits includes Sharp Dressed Man, Gimme All Your Lovin and more. It is expected theyll preview new material from their forthcoming release over the course of The Gang of Outlaws Tour.

Notes Gibbons, re really looking forward to working with the guys from 3 Doors Down and Gretchen too, if we may borrow from the late, great Robert Johnson, clear those stones from the pass way on this phenomenal tour. The Gang of Outlaws is ready to ride!

ZZ Top will be partnering up with southern alternative rocks hugely successful 3 Doors Down, straight out of Escatawpa, Mississippi. The group -- Brad Arnold, Matt Roberts, Todd Harrell, Chris Henderson and Greg Upchurch-- brings its multi-platinum catalog of hits and album tracks to the tour including their #1 smash hits When Im Gone and Here Without You, and their latest chart topper s Not My Time. Says lead singer Brad Arnold of Gang of Outlaws, The tour is huge! We have the honor to share the stage with some amazing artists, including one of my favorite bands, ZZ Top! We cant wait to bring Gang Of Outlaws to your town.

Rounding out the bill in style is Gretchen Wilson, representing the distaff side of the Gang of Outlaws. Her breakthrough hit, Redneck Woman is well known as the anthem of southern sass and femininity. Her catalog of rock-inspired country hits includes multiple platinum albums and such single smashes as Here For The Party, When I Think About Cheatin All Jacked Up and more. She expressed her feelings about her participation in a no uncertain terms: Obviously I couldnt be more excited that I am to be part of this tour Fabulous guys, fabulous musicians!

Gang of Outlaws Tour tickets and information available at GangOfOutlaws.com
Gang of Outlaws Tour dates
May 25 - Manchester, NH - Verizon Arena*
26 - Atlantic City, NJ Trump Taj Mahal/Etess Arena*
27 -Mashantucket, CT MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods*
30 - Scranton, PA - Toyota Pavilion**
June 1 - Winston Salem, NC - Joel Coliseum*
2 - Fayetteville, NC - Fort Bragg*
3 - Fredericksburg, VA - Celebrate Virginia Live!*
5 - Richmond, VA Innsbrook Pavilion*
6 - Simpsonville, SC - Charter Amphitheatre at Heritage Park*
8 - St. Augustine, FL St. Augustine Amphitheatre*
9 - Atmore, AL Wind Creek Hotel & Casino Amphitheater**
10 - Alpharetta, GA - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre*
12 - Hollywood, FL - Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel**
15 - Estero, FL - Germain Arena*
16 - Orlando, FL - Universal Orlando Resort Music Plaza Stage**
17 - Clearwater, FL - Tropicana Field*
19 - Southaven, MS - Snowden Grove Park & Amphitheater*
20 - Nashville, TN- Bridgestone Arena*
22 - Baton Rouge, LA Baton Rouge River Center*
23 - Houston, TX - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion*
24 - Dallas, TX - Gexa Energy Pavilion*
26 - Des Moines, IA - Wells Fargo Arena*
27 - Clarkston, MI - DTE Energy Music Theatre
29 - Hinckley, MN - Grand Casino Amphitheatre*
*ZZ Top, 3 Doors Down, Gretchen Wilson
** ZZ Top, 3 Doors Down

From www.zztop.com

Billy F Gibbons honors Hubert Sumlin

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 11:15:00 -0800

Billy F Gibbons joins Eric Clapton and Keith Richards to honor Hubert Sumlin in New York City.

From: http://www.soundspike.com/story/3923/keith-richards-eric-clapton-join-forces-for-hubert-sumlin-tribute/

SoundSpike Contributor

Published February 27, 2012 03:49 PM

The Rolling Stones' Keith Richards and Eric Clapton were among a flock of rock and blues superstars who turned up in New York City last Friday (2/24) to pay tribute to late bluesman Hubert Sumlin.

The four-hour show at the sold-out Apollo Theatre in Harlem also brought out Buddy Guy, Elvis Costello, Warren Haynes, ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons, Taj Mahal and many others to honor Sumlin, who was Howlin' Wolf's longtime guitarist. Sumlin died in December at the age of 80.

In addition to noting Sumlin's passing, the concert was also a benefit for The Jazz Foundation, which provides aid to jazz and blues musicians.

Other big names in attendance -- and onstage -- included Keb Mo, Robert Randolph, Haynes' Allman Brothers Band partner Derek Trucks, Jimmie Vaughn, and blues harp pioneer James Cotton.

Sumlin's memorial service in December was paid for by Richards and fellow Rolling Stone Mick Jagger.

From www.zztop.com

RollingStone.com Video Interview

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 15:05:00 -0800

Billy Gibbons on the band's next album [Video]

ZZ Top has spent a long time working on their next album, but guitarist Billy Gibbons assures Rolling Stone's David Fricke that the new disc is coming along very well. "The good news is that under the direction of Rick Rubin, ZZ Top has stepped into a new arena with a very understanding producer," says Gibbons, who adds that the next record should be pretty streamlined and straightforward. "When you add up the days in the studio, it hasn't allowed us much time to do much else than plug straight into an amp and play as a trio. We're not afraid to experiment when time allows, but these are things that don't normally pop up in a ZZ session. It's just, go in and get it."

From www.zztop.com

ZZ Top on NPR Today

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 13:20:00 -0800

Be sure to tune in to NPR's All Things Considered today 11/23 at 4:30 PM Eastern. Billy Gibbons appears about 2/3s into the piece!

Or listen at their brand new website.

From www.zztop.com

Billy Gibbons and Johnny Depp Rock Out

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 12:45:00 -0700

Billy Gibbons and Johnny Depp held an impromptu performance at the Continental Club in Austin after La Grange Fest. Check it out!

From www.zztop.com

Review of La Grange Fest by Austin Chronicle

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 11:45:00 -0700

Never mind Johnny Depp and Billy Gibbons joining Bill Carter onstage at the Continental Club Saturday night. YouTube footage proves far more satisfying than having had to outmaneuver the star-crossed midnight mob at the South Congress speakeasy. Rather the real scene proved an unlikely setting: ZZ Tops actual performance at the Backyard.

Between Austin poster icon Michael Priests wild 60th birthday bash in South Austin Friday night and three crusty days of the Austin Record Convention up on North Lamar, the Austin Film Festivals pint-sized Pirate of the Caribbean took local gawkers by storm, the Texas Book Festival allowed Butch Hancock to multi-task Sunday with Chronicle mystic Michael Ventura at the Capital in the afternoon and then the Flatlanders at Threadgills Jimmy Petit benefit last night, and what was advertised as ZZ Tops 1st Annual La Grange Fest paired Texas lil ol blues trio with Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Normally, that last entry wouldnt register past a desire to see ZZ Top at the Moody Theater, especially when considering Lynyrd Skynyrd counts a sole original member while the headliners, who doubtlessly played on bills with the original in the 1970s, counts the same Tres Hombres. And yet Jamey Johson proved ample incentive in addition to my girlfriends ZZ Top for President bumper sticker and ardent loyalty to the threesome.

Johnsons 2010 double-disc The Guitar Song raised a chorus of Nashville hosannahs for the Alabama native and ex-Marine, who co-wrote George Straits 51st straight No. 1 Give It Away in 2006, and although we missed him headlining the Moody earlier this year, his Backyard set seemingly impressed everyone.
The burly, bearded singer-songwriter's second song was an impeccably deep-voiced reading of Willie Nelsons Night Life, followed by his own authentic country accounting t Cash My Checks, which was matched by an inspired cover of Johnny Paychecks 11 Months, 29 Days, with its refrain of busted in Austin. All three twanged in stark contrast to Slipknot singer Corey Taylor strumming the evening open with countrified covers of Tom Petty (You Got Lucky), the Rolling Stones (Dead Flowers), and Ramones (), that last one rolling over Dee Dee into Johnny inside the Ramones crypt.

Lynyrd Skynyrd proved worse past the initial chill/thrill of hearing one of the original bands favorite opening combos, Working for MCA and I Aint the One. Had Skynyrd Nation not outed the sevenpiece led by surviving guitarist Gary Rossington, late singer Ronnie Van Zandts youngest brother Johnny, and former Blackfoot shredder Rick Medlocke as a glorified tribute act, the ensuing run of s Your Name, That Smell, Sweet Home Alabama, and finally wouldnt have felt so Viva Las Vegas. True, Down South Jukin Street Survivors chicken picker I Know a Little, and even Gimme Three Steps scratched some deep-seated classic rock itch, but ZZ Top couldnt come on fast enough.

Broadcasting the show live on Sirius XM, the timeless Texas boogie kings stuck close to the set list found on the recent Live From Texas DVD and CD, recorded in Nov. 2007 at the Nokia Theatre in Grand Prairie. Both formats blare pleasingly raw, but at the Backyard ZZ Top caught fire. Got Me Under Pressure blew like a ruptured water main, while Waiting for the Bus and Jesus Just Left Chicago dug a blues trench, but with m Bad, Im Nationwide bassist Dusty Hill made his bass sound like the suspension bridges on the video screen behind him. Cheap Sunglasses followed thick as molasses, and when Gibbons paid tribute to his hero Jimi Hendrix with Hey Joe, Hill chased with the whipit that was Party on the Patio.

The bassist's voice on vibrated high but deep, like thick glass patio furniture being shattered, and it met its steel-string match in Gibbons Sunburst Les Paul on Just Got Paid, carving canyons of blues that turned into solid rock on the ensuing Eliminator triptych. Gimme All Your Lovin so thick as to evoke the La Brea Tar Pits, Sharp Dressed Man, and found the man with no beard, as Gibbons introduced drummer Frank Beard, doing much of the leg work, while Cousin It and Cousin Itt lit into encores La Grange and like 1975.

In almost two decades of live ZZ Top worship, I'd never witnessed such a primal performance from the band. Going to the Continental Club afterward never even crossed my mind.

From www.zztop.com

Review of La Grange Fest by Austin360!

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 15:05:00 -0700

Review: ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd at the Backyard

BEE CAVE Fired up the hog and took the old lady to the new Backyard here Saturday night to see ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Id not seen the former in forever and the latter in never. We got exactly what we expected: long lines to get in and out, a handful of delusional Skynyrd fans waving the Confederate battle flag, hits and a whole lot of guitar. We can safely proclaim the first La Grange Fest, which also included the very talented singer-songwriter Jamey Johnson and Corey Taylor from (!) Slipknot a success.

Id love to tell you about Corey but, yeah, traffic took care of that. Johnson enjoys the complementary advantages of having a very expressive voice and story-songs that Daniel Woodrell might write. Great stuff, and the crowd was primed to be in a receptive mood.

Skynyrd, a band known as much for one plane crash as well as its 86 guitarists, brought out That Smell, s Your Name, Gimme Three Steps, Sweet Home Alabama and, but of course, Stairway to Heaven. I mean Free Bird. If youre like me you were probably in line for the bar or the bathroom for at least one of those and lines were a reality for both of those attractions because this crowd was getting its drank on.

I know these guys are the definition of a guilty pleasure band. I know that the current iteration contains exactly one original member, but that band was together for, what, five years in the 70s? This bunch, led by Johnny Van Zant, has been together since the late 80s, making them perhaps the worlds only tribute band thats a tribute to THEMSELVES. Thats some trick if you think about it.

As ever, the three-man guitar attack was equally impressive and wearying. Those guys are very competitive seeing who can cram the most notes into every bar, but, in fairness, thats what theyre about.

And there lies Skynyrds great contrast with ZZ Top, the undisputed grand champions of Texas blues rock, with a lineup unchanged since 1970. (Name another band thats stayed together without a lineup change that long. Ill wait here.) Billy Gibbons cant play as fast as any of the Skynyrd guys, but hes all about working up greasy licks that sound like him and no one else. Sometimes virtuosity can leave you cold; Gibbons distinctive playing never fails to enhance the tune, not to mention bringing a smile to himself and the crowd.

Gibbons and the other dos hombres are essentially a nostalgia act, too, but what a stack of hits. In fairness, the opener, Got Me Under Pressure, dates merely to 1983, as does Sharp Dressed Man, Gimme All Your Lovin and That album packed them in, didnt it? And thats not even the sweet spot of the bands catalog Cheap Sunglasses, Jesus Just Left Chicago and of course Free Bird. I mean La Grange. Those all got spirited airings Saturday night. You cant name a festival after one of your songs and then not play it, even if it is swiped from a John Lee Hooker riff.

Now entering their fifth decade together, these guys have every right to not work it as hard as they do. They do, and good for them. All together now: A how-how-how-how.

From www.zztop.com

ZZ Top LIVE from La Grange Fest on SiriusXM!

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 15:45:00 -0700

Hear ZZ Top LIVE in concert from the bands first-ever La Grange Fest at the Backyard in Austin, TX this Saturday, October 22 at 10:30pm ET exclusively on SiriusXMs Outlaw Country (channel 60). Its the bands first real time live concert broadcast to be heard in North America over the course of their 40-year career.

Not a SiriusXM subscriber? Get a Free 7-Day Online Trial of SiriusXM at www.siriusxm.com/freetrial.

SiriusXM U.S. satellite service is available only to those at least 18 and older in the United States. See Customer Agreement for complete terms at www.siriusxm.com.

From www.zztop.com

ZZ TOP HOST LA GRANGE FEST THIS SATURDAY AT THE BACKYARD IN AUSTIN

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 15:20:00 -0700

This Saturday sees the debut of ZZ TOPs La Grange Fest in Austin, TX. Its a ZZ Top-hosted music festival on Saturday, October 22 at Austins The Backyard. Doors are open at 5 PM and the show kicks off at 6 PM.

Featured with ZZ Top are Lynyrd Skynyrd, Jamey Johnson and Corey Taylor. Skynyrd and ZZ Top have a relationship that dates back to the early 1970s and they have worked together extensively ever since. Theyve most recently shared concert bills on the Rebels & Bandoleros Tour.

Jamey Johnson is one of the key contributors to the just-released A Tribute From Friends, the album of ZZ Top cover songs by a slew of the bands admirers including Nickelback, Grace Potter, Daughtry, Wolfmother and The M.O.B. (Mick Fleetwood, Steven Tyler, Johnny Land and John McVie) and others. His contribution to the collection is, appropriately La Grange with none other than ZZ ax man Billy Gibbons guesting on the track thats the albums closer.

Corey Taylor is a recent addition to La Grange Fests line up and hell be performing an acoustic set on Saturday. Taylor is the multiplatinum selling, New York Times best-selling author and Grammy Awardwinning singer/ songwriter in Slipknot and Stone Sour, two of the most successful bands in rock music today. Theres a distinct possibility that hell be joining ZZ Top for a song or two.

ZZ Tops La Grange Festperformance will be carried live over SiriusXMs Outlaw Country Channel with a scheduled start time of 10:30 PM/Eastern. It marks the bands first real time live broadcast to be heard in North America over the course of their careerspanning over 40 years.

La Grange Fest is a reflection of the ZZ Top tradition of raucous revelry set to a down n dirty beat and is presented by our good friends at Jeremiah Weed. La Grange Fest takes its name from the bands ode to the Texas town that was home to the notorious Chicken Ranch, later the subject of the musical The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas Billy Gibbons, discussing the forthcoming show, noted, re looking forward to having a good time with all of our friends and fans on the 22nd. Down Austin way is gonna be the place to be that day, doncha know La Grange Fest reconnects ZZ Top with its Texas roots and legacy quite specifically. Just this year the band received the Texas Cultural Trusts 2011 Texas Medal of the Arts and was previously named Official Texas Heroes by the states House of Representatives. The Texas Commission on the Arts has named Billy Gibbons as 2012 Texas State Musician.

In recognition of the heroic efforts of so many Texas firefighters during the recent spate of wildfires in the state, La Grange Fest attendees will be asked to donate to the Texas State Firemens and Fire Marshals Association, the Lake Travis Fire Department and the Bastrop Fire Department.

From www.zztop.com

The Reviews are Comin' in...

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 15:25:00 -0700

Album Review: ZZ Top Honored With Release Of New Tribute Album Featuring Unique Array Of Generation Spanning Artists

ZZ Top, often hailed as That Little Ol Band from Texas have a brand new tribute album out in their honor featuring all the old favorites with an interesting twist. The album, produced by the infamous trio of Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill & Frank Beard drops today and packs in 11 covers performed by an unlikely cast, to say the least. Artists from various time periods such as Coheed and Cambria, Aerosmiths Steven Tyler, newly reunited Wolfmother and Duff McKagans band Loaded are just a few of the names that came together to honor the trio with the creation of ZZ Top: A Tribute From Friends.

When the idea was in its infancy, the band was already excited to hear that so many great artists wanted to contribute as they said We found out that a bunch of great artists were paying tribute to us and we were in disbelief. Click here to check out a great rendition of the ZZ Top classic as performed by Nickelback.

From start to finish, A Tribute From Friends never falls short of a anything but timeless as each rendition certainly has its own unique flare. The opening track Sharp Dressed Man (which is arguably one of the albums biggest highlights) sets a tone for the record and features a passionate performance from an all-star cast by the likes of Aerosmiths Steven Tyler along with Fleetwood Macs Mick Fleetwood, John McVie and if thats not enough, guitar legend Jonny Lang makes an appearance on the track as well. Got Me Under Pressure as performed by Loaded is a headbanger from start to finish that packs in a huge punch with a classic late 80s feel and serves as one of the most driven songs on the record. Another highlight worth noting is the mega-hit La Grange performed by Jamey Johnson; a song originally about a bordello on the outskirts of La Grange, Texas that would become one of ZZs early trademark songs. It kicks off with that classic riff that we all know and love and then comes right in with Jameys vocals which suit the song perfectly. Adding to the feel of the song is the band behind him that plays with a passion as if they wrote the song yesterday. Check out an early live performance of La Grange from ZZ Top below.

After all was said and done, the band had this to say about the finished product and the feeling of having a tribute album in their name; To a great extent, weve succeeded since were still having a good time (as a band) so that would be reward enough for the same three guys playing the same three chords. Now comes A Tribute From Friends and were so delighted that our music resonates with these great musicians whom we so admire.

Here is the full track listing and list of artists that appear on ZZ Top: A Tribute From Friends.

Sharp Dressed Man The M.O.B. (Mick Fleetwood, Steven Tyler, Jonny Lang & John McVie)
Gimme All Your Lovin Filter
Grace Potter & The Nocturnals
Nickelback
Cheap Sunglasses Wolfmother
Got Me Under Pressure Duff McKagans Loaded
Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers Coheed & Cambria
Just Got Paid Mastodon
Rough Boy Wyclef Jean
for the Bus / Jesus Just Left Chicago Daughtry
La Grange Jamey Johnson

From www.zztop.com

A Tribute From Friends out NOW!

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 13:20:00 -0700

It's here!!! The awesome new ZZ Top tribute album "A Tribute From Friends" is out in stores and on iTunes!

Be sure to pick up your copy today!

Use this coupon at participating Best Buy stores (valid in store only, not bestbuy.com) for a discount on the CD.

From www.zztop.com

ZZ Top Tribute Album Out Tomorrow!

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 12:20:00 -0700

The awesome new ZZ Top tribute album "A Tribute From Friends" hits stores tomorrow! Be sure to check back here tomorrow for all the best ways to get your copy!

From www.zztop.com

TWEET TWEET TOP Contest

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 15:15:00 -0700

To enter:

1. Follow @ZZTop on Twitter

2. Entries can be submitted in 2 ways:
A: Tweet at @ZZTop your favorite track from the "ZZ Top: A Tribute From Friends" album.
Listen to all of the tribute tracks at: http://listn.to/zztop

-or-

B: Tweet at @ZZTop and your twitter followers a link to pre-order the "ZZ Top: A Tribute From Friends" album on iTunes. Copy and paste this link ONLY: http://bit.ly/TributeFromFriends

3. Once you enter, keep your eye on your Twitter Direct Messages. We may be contacting you to let you know you've won!

Rules and Regulations

- The contest spans from 9/29/2011 - 10/13/2011 (weekends excluded)
- You MUST be following @ZZTop on Twitter to enter the contest.
- Tweeting @ZZTop your favorite track from the "ZZ Top: A Tribute From Friends" album is considered a contest entry. You can listen to all of the tribute songs at: http://listn.to/zztop
- Tweeting @ZZTop the link http://bit.ly/TributeFromFriends is considered a contest entry.
- You can enter as many times as you want - the odds of winning are increased with every entry.
- Secret prizes will be randomly included in poster shipments - the odds of receiving a secret prize are not increased with entries.
- Each person can only win one time.
- Once selected as a winner you must follow the directions as explained in the direct Twitter message to receive your prize - if you do not respond to the direct message within 24 hours you will forfeit your prize and another winner will be selected.

*ZZ Top show of your choice must be within the continental United States and must occur during the calendar period between 10.11.11 - 10.10.12. Transportation, accommodations or meet n greet access is not provided. If prize is not used within the specified time period, another prize may not be substituted and winner will receive no compensation, monetary or otherwise as a result. However, prize may be transferred to any person upon prize winner's request.

From www.zztop.com

A Tribute From Friends iTunes Preorder Available Today!

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 11:05:00 -0700

ZZ Top's A Tribute From Friends is available for peorder now on iTunes. Order your copy today to expedite the rockin'!

From www.zztop.com

ZZ Top Pre-Order Bundle Available Now!

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 08:45:00 -0700

Hey everyone, if you haven't gotten the pre-order bundle yet hurry and get yours before they're all gone! You will get a copy of the new tribute from record featuring bands like Jamey Johnson, Grace Potter and The Nocturnals and Wyclef Jean doing amazing renditions of some of ZZ Top's Greatest Hits!

Oh, and with every cd comes and an exclusive new T-Shirt designed by Billy Gibbons himself! Click here to get yours!

From www.zztop.com

Go Cruisin' With ZZ TOP

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 14:30:00 -0700

Headliners ZZ Top and George Thorogood and the Destroyers will be joined by John Kay and Steppenwolf, The Marshall Tucker Band, Dickey Betts & Great Southern, Foghat, Molly Hatchet, Johnny Winter, The Edgar Winter Band, The Outlaws, Artimus Pyle, Blackfoot, Pat Travers, Devon Allmans Honeytribe, SwampDaWamp, The Chris Hicks Band, Preacher Stone, Ryan Balthrop, Whiskey Myers, and Crossfyre with each playing multiple sets in an array of ship board venues. Fans will have an unprecedented opportunity to rock the waves while rocking out to their favorite bands on a 4 night cruise to CocoCay private beach island and Nassau, Bahamas!

Almost as long as four football fields and 18 decks, the fabulous Liberty of the Seas is one of the largest ships sailing today offering multiple music and entertainment venues, an array of restaurants and dining outlets, full sized volleyball and basketball courts, a boxing ring and even a FlowRider wave generator enabling guests to surf the sea while cruising above the ocean!

From www.zztop.com

Guitar World: La Grange Fest Coming!

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 10:45:00 -0700

ZZ Top Announce "La Grange Fest," Featuring Lynyrd Skynyrd

While their as-yet-untitled new album may not surface until early next year, there's still plenty to be excited about from the ZZ Top camp. And it's called La Grange Fest.

Everyone's favorite Texas trio have announced the first ever La Grange Fest, which is set for October 22 in Bee Cave, Texas. Joining the band on the bill are legendary Southern rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd and country singer Jamey Johnson.

If just attending isn't enough, you can also purchase a package via zztoplive.com that will grant you access to an exclusive, roped-off area in front of the stage known as the La Grange Pit.

From www.zztop.com

NY Daily News On "A Tribute From Friends"

Sun, 18 Sep 2011 12:20:00 -0700

Fall music lineup: Industry's greatest, like Nirvana, Kelly Clarkson, Ryan Adams return with latest

BY Jim Farber
DAILY NEWS MUSIC CRITIC

Sunday, September 18th 2011, 4:00 AM

Where have all the superstars gone?

They've certainly made themselves more scarce this fall, a period when they're usually as common as court appearances by Lindsay Lohan.

To be sure, a fistful of sure-fire sellers are locked and loaded for release, including Coldplay, Drake, Nickelback, Mary J. Blige, Lady Antebellum and Susan Boyle.

There's also fresh work aborning from Kelly Clarkson, Joe Jonas and Akon, though none of those releases can be considered guaranteed smashes. What would have been a biggie Metallica limited the sales potential of its latest work by design. It's an arty collaboration with Lou Reed, not exactly a name bound to wow the band's metal-loving core.

Part of the relative paucity of can't-miss hits has to do with the continuation of a trend from the past few years in which the major labels stopped segregating their top-shelf items to the leaf shedding season. Instead they began doling them out over the year, the better to avoid eating into each other's press attention and market potential during increasingly dicey times.

More, this year the industry can't repeat a recent pattern in which the heavy hitters of hip hop waited until right before Christmas to put out their most potentially lucrative works. They already blew the wad this summer with a new CD from Lil Wayne plus that pas de deux between Jay-Z and Kanye West.

Yet, there's a deeper and more distressing reason for the downshift in blockbuster likelies:

At this point, there simply aren't enough pop superstars to go around.

Perhaps you've heard? The music business isn't exactly soaring these days. Worse, they can't expect things to get much better, given the ever diminishing sales patterns created by the Internet's war on monetization.

All this goes a long way toward explaining why the most exciting releases of the fall and there is no shortage of them come from either newer names, historic-minded releases or stars who command substantial cults, usually in the 300,000 range.

Folks like the latter command a fan base likely to still actually pay for music. The stress on historic releases has to do with a rear-view focus in pop in general. This season it will present itself in important packages by acts from Pearl Jam to Miles Davis to Nirvana to Hank Williams (unfinished recordings).

The fall will also see some prized comebacks, including the first Jane's Addiction studio album in eight years, the first Jayhawks work in 16, and a reunion of the fantastically wan English singer June Tabor with the rollicking Brit-trad act Oysterband after 21 years apart.

Closer to the mainstream, the season will host the debuts from this year's two top American Idols: Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina, singers still unproven in the marketplace but whom the industry prays will become their superstars of tomorrow.

Even without such magical creatures, music can not only endure but even excite. In fact, some of the most interesting fall releases suggest music may soon hold some of its greatest joys in years.

Oct. 11
- Ryan Adams "Ashes & Fire": Another year, another Ryan Adams album. The latest from the highly prolific songwriter features a guest shot for everyone's favorite duet partner: Norah Jones.

- Lauren Alaina "Wildflower": One week after the release of her rival Scotty McCreery's CD, runnerup Lauren Alaina issues hers. I smell a rematch.

- Evanescence "Evanescence": The first album in five years from the band that made goth metal go pop.

- Joe Henry "Reverie": An all-acoustic work from one of Americana's best songwriters (not to mention finest producers). Features guest spots from the lilting Lisa Hannigan and the wiry Marc Ribot.

- Joe Jonas "Fastlife": The solo debut from the, let's-face-it, best looking member of the Jonas clan.

- Martina McBride "Eleven": The latest effort from country pop's biggest voice.

- Various Artists "ZZ Top: A Tribute From Friends": The use of the word "friends" in the title sounds like a bit of a warning. It suggests not all the participants in this ZZ Top salute are the most astute choices. They include Steven Tyler, Wyclef Jean, Mastodon and more.

- Ben Folds "Retrospective: Best Imitation of Myself": A three-CD look back at the quirky songwriter's progress from 1995 to now.

From www.zztop.com

Newsday.com Talks ZZ Top Tribute

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 12:05:00 -0700

Tributes pour out in ZZ Top tunes

Wyclef Jean, ZZ Top fan? Apparently.

Jean is among the artists paying homage to "that little ol' band from Texas" on an upcoming album, "A Tribute From Friends." The 11 tracks, out Oct. 11, feature classic ZZ Top tunes redone by Jean ("Rough Boy") and the likes of Nickelback ("Legs"), Filter ("Gimme All Your Lovin' ") and Wolfmother ("Cheap Sunglasses").

"We were told there was going to be a ZZ Top tribute album a while ago and logically asked, 'Who are we paying tribute to?' Then we found out that a bunch of great artists were paying tribute to us and we were in disbelief," the band -- Billy F. Gibbons, Dusty Hill and Frank Beard -- said in a statement. "For the past 40 or so years, all we've done is get out there and crank it and try to have a good time while doing so. To a great extent, we've succeeded since we're still having a good time so that would be reward enough for 'the same three guys playing the same three chords.'

"Now comes 'A Tribute From Friends' and we're so delighted that our music resonates with these great musicians whom we so admire."

Hmmm. Well, there's also a Daughtry take on the album -- "Waitin' for the Bus" / "Jesus Just Left Chicago." With friends like him . . .

ZZ Top plays Monday at the NYCB Theatre at Westbury. Tickets, $29.50-$49.50, through livenation.com.

From www.zztop.com

ArtistDirect Talks "Cool Lineup" For ZZ Top Tribute

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 11:50:00 -0700

ZZ Top Tribute Album Due Out Oct. 11

The music and legacy of ZZ Top will be celebrated with the Oct. 11 release of "A Tribute From Friends."

The album, to be released by Show Dog-Universal Music, features 11 classic ZZ Top songs interpreted by top-flight artists working in a broad range of musical genres. All of the album's tracks have been newly recorded, specifically for this project. These include Filter's performance of "Gimme All Your Lovin'," Grace Potter and the Nocturnals' take on "Tush," as well as Wyclef Jean's "Rough Boy," "Legs" from Nickelback and Wolfmother's interpretation of "Cheap Sunglasses." What a cool batch of artists, right?

The album kicks off with "Sharp Dressed Man," from The M.O.B., Mick Fleetwood's ad hoc group that includes fellow Fleetwood Mac founder John McVie as well as Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and guitar great Jonny Lang. Fleetwood commented, "We're delighted to honor ZZ Top this way. Their legacy, like that of the original Fleetwood Mac, is steeped in the blues we all love so much. I know that Steven and Jonny feel as strongly about their legacy as John and I do."

After Billy F Gibbons, Dusty Hill and Frank Beard, the original--and continuing--members of ZZ Top were informed that A Tribute From Friends was in the offing, they issued the following statement:

"When we were told there was going to be a ZZ Top tribute album a while ago and logically asked, Who are we paying tribute to?' Then we found out that a bunch of great artists were paying tribute to us and we were in disbelief. For the past 40 or so years, all we've done is get out there and crank it and try to have a good time while doing so. To a great extent, we've succeeded since we're still having a good time so that would be reward enough for the same three guys playing the same three chords.' Now comes A Tribute From Friends and we're so delighted that our music resonates with these great musicians whom we so admire."

The co-executive producer of A Tribute From Friends is Carl Stubner, ZZ Top's manager, who noted, "A Tribute From Friends underscores the legacy of ZZ Top in the most musical way possible and illustrates just how important Billy, Dusty and Frank have been to successive generations. It was a privilege to work with the pantheon of brilliant artists who contributed their efforts and so much love to this project."

A TRIBUTE FROM FRIENDS TRACK LISTING:

1. "Sharp Dressed Man" The M.O.B. (Mick Fleetwood, Steven Tyler, Jonny Lang & John McVie)
2. "Gimme All Your Lovin'" Filter
3. "Tush" Grace Potter & The Nocturnals
4. "Legs" - Nickelback
5. "Cheap Sunglasses" Wolfmother
6. "Got Me Under Pressure" Duff McKagan's Loaded
7. "Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers" Coheed & Cambria
8. "Just Got Paid" Mastodon
9. "Rough Boy" Wyclef Jean
10. "Waitin' for the Bus / Jesus Just Left Chicago" Daughtry
11. "La Grange" Jamey Johnson

Which tribute track are you most excited about?

From www.zztop.com

AOL's The Boot Article

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 12:15:00 -0700

Jamey Johnson Pays Tribute to ZZ Top

Jamey Johnson stands as the lone country artist celebrating the career of ZZ Top on the upcoming album, 'A Tribute From Friends,' due out October 8. Covering the band's 1973 classic 'La Grange,' the country rebel joins an all-star roster, including rockers Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, Daughtry and Nickelback.

When asked about the project, founding ZZ Top members Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill and Frank Beard responded, "When we were told there was going to be a ZZ Top tribute album a while ago and logically asked, 'Who are we paying tribute to?' Then we found out that a bunch of great artists were paying tribute to us and we were in disbelief. For the past 40 or so years, all we've done is get out there and crank it and try to have a good time while doing so. To a great extent, we've succeeded since we're still having a good time so that would be reward enough for the same three guys playing the same three chords. Now comes 'A Tribute From Friends,' and we're so delighted that our music resonates with these great musicians whom we so admire."

ZZ Top has sold more than 50 millions albums worldwide, 25 million stateside. Best known for their classics 'Gimme All Your Lovin',' 'Legs' and 'Sharp Dressed Man,' the band scored eight Top 40 singles, including six mainstream rock No. 1 hits. ZZ Top was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004.

'A Tribute From Friends' Track List:

1. 'Sharp Dressed Man' - The M.O.B. (Mick Fleetwood, Steven Tyler, Jonny Lang & John McVie)
2. 'Gimme All Your Lovin'' - Filter
3. 'Tush' - Grace Potter & The Nocturnals
4. 'Legs' - Nickelback
5. 'Cheap Sunglasses' - Wolfmother
6. 'Got Me Under Pressure' - Duff McKagan's LOADED
7. 'Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers' - Coheed & Cambria
8. 'Just Got Paid' - Mastodon
9. 'Rough Boy' - Wyclef Jean
10. 'Waitin' for the Bus / Jesus Just Left Chicago' - Daughtry
11. 'La Grange' - Jamey Johnson

Fans eager to catch Jamey perform live can find the singer's concert schedule here.

From www.zztop.com

Gibson.com Article

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 11:30:00 -0700

Steven Tyler, Wolfmother and Others Record ZZ Top Tribute Album

An all-star cast came together to record the forthcoming ZZ Top tribute album, A Tribute from Friends. Bands and artists that covered the legendary bands songs include Wolfmother, Nickelback, Daughtry, Wyclef Jean, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Duff McKagans Loaded, Filter, Mastodon, Jamey Johnson and Coheed and Cambia, according to Blabbermouth.

Yet, one of the most interesting contributors to the album, due out October 11, is a supergroup that was put together specifically for this tribute. Mick Fleetwood and John McVie, the foundation of Fleetwood Mac, brought on guitar great Jonny Lang and superstar Steven Tyler to form The M.O.B. The band kicks off the compilation with their version of Sharp Dressed Man.

re delighted to honor ZZ Top this way, Fleetwood said. Their legacy, like that of the original Fleetwood Mac, is steeped in the blues we all love so much. I know that Steven and Jonny feel as strongly about their legacy as John and I do.

In related ZZ Top news, frontman Billy Gibbons recently compared his songwriting work on the bands forthcoming album (due next year) topornography.

A Tribute from Friends tracklist:

1. The M.O.B., Sharp Dressed Man
2. Filter, Gimme All Your Lovin
3. Grace Potter and the Nocturnals,
4. Nickelback,
5. Wolfmother, Cheap Sunglasses
6. Duff McKagans Loaded, Got Me Under Pressure
7. Coheen and Cambria, Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers
8. Mastodon, Just Got Paid
9. Wyclef Jean, Rough Boy
10. Daughtry, for the BusJesus Just Left Chicago
11. Jamey Johnson, La Grange

Thanks for the report to Bryan Wawzenek, Gibson.com.

From www.zztop.com

ABCNewsRadioOnline.com Article

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 11:25:00 -0700

Daughtry Plays Tribute to ZZ Top on New CD

Last year, Chris Daughtry joined rock legend Carlos Santana on the album Guitar Heaven. This year, he and Daughtry are paying tribute to some other rock legends: famed Texas trio ZZ Top.

Daughtry is one of the many acts featured on A Tribute From Friends, an album of ZZ Top classics recorded by today's artists. The band performs a medley of two ZZ Top numbers on the disc: "Waitin' for the Bus" and "Jesus Just Left Chicago." Speaking about their participation in the record, Chris said in a statement, "We were completely honored! A classic great band with amazing songs? We're in!" Talking about ZZ Top's music, Chris said, "It's classic! Simple chord progressions, great riffs with hooky choruses...very inspiring to a band like us.

In addition to Daughtry, other acts on the album include Steven Tyler, Wyclef Jean, Nickelback and Mick Fleetwood and John McVie ofFleetwood Mac. It'll be in stores October 11.

From www.zztop.com

Jambands.com Article

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 11:20:00 -0700

Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, Wolfmother and Mastodon Pay Tribute To ZZ Top

October 11 is the official release date of ZZ Top A Tribute From Friends. This eleven track compilation draws together newly-recorded versions of ZZ Top classics, interpreted by a range of artists. The album leads off with Sharp Dressed Man, which is credited to The M.O.B., a group that features Mick Fleetwood, Steven Tyler, Jonny Lang and John McVie. Other tracks include Grace Potter & The Nocturnals performance of Wyclef Jeans take on Rough Boy and Jamey Johnsons version of La Grange.

Upon learning of the album, Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill and Frank Beard, responded via statement: When we were told there was going to be a ZZ Top tribute album a while ago and logically asked, Who are we paying tribute to? Then we found out that a bunch of great artists were paying tribute to us and we were in disbelief. For the past 40 or so years, all weve done is get out there and crank it and try to have a good time while doing so. To a great extent, weve succeeded since were still having a good time so that would be reward enough for the same three guys playing the same three chords. Now comes A Tribute From Friends and were so delighted that our music resonates with these great musicians whom we so admire.

Track Listing ZZ Top A Tribute from Friends

Sharp Dressed Man The M.O.B. (Mick Fleetwood, Steven Tyler, Jonny Lang & John McVie)
Gimme All Your Lovin Filter
Grace Potter & The Nocturnals
Nickelback
Cheap Sunglasses Wolfmother
Got Me Under Pressure Duff McKagans LOADED
Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers Coheed & Cambria
Just Got Paid Mastodon
Rough Boy Wyclef Jean
for the Bus / Jesus Just Left Chicago Daughtry
La Grange Jamey Johnson

From www.zztop.com