ZZ Top and backstage passes :)

[Cholo]

They had to cancel last May's show because Billy Gibbons broke his shoulder. I 1st mentioned it here: http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=205405&view=next

My daughter and I held our tickets for last night at the Tivoli Theater in Chattanooga, TN. We were left of center 4th row seats. I had to walk out on the opening act. WAY too loud, even with ear plugs, and anytime guitarists swing their heads backwards and forwards like they're banging them on a 55 gallon drum, it's over for me. I call it headbanger music. My daughter really liked them. The Tivoli is a small venue which I prefer. It seats 1,750 max. In comparison, the Fillmore East held 2,650 and it was small. We were actually in row 4 because they added a AA to A, B and C.

ZZ Top was great, again! :mrgreen: (Spare me the badmouthing that happens every time someone sees an older band) They are the longest running rock band with all original members, 1969, so that tells you something about their staying power. They played everything you'd want them to play. They wasted no time and came back for 2 encores. I live streamed some of the songs to my daughter in KY who went with me last time to see them.

Backstage: No autographs, no hand shaking. The reason given by the spokesperson for no autographs is that their fingers are worn out and bloody after a show and they have more shows to do. Riiight :roll: The no handshaking I now understand. A few years ago a "fan" tried to break Billy Gibbon's hand; he's the lead guitarist. I wouldn't risk it either. There are 2 pics of my daughter and myself with the band members that havn't been posted online yet. I'll share them when I have them and what the "props" I brought meant to me.

If you like them and havn't seen them, now is the time. They're all born in '49 and won't be playing forever. Here's some pics for those who care:

 

[CGDustDevil]

Great photos Ken!

Man, Dusty and Billy look more or less the same, but Frank is really looking ragged. Damned tobacco... He used to be a heavy smoker. Don't know if he still is or not, but he's been looking pretty rough over the past few years.

Billy STILL doesn't have an ounce of fat on him! LOL! He defies the aging process, at least when it comes to around the belt!

Yeah, the handshaking thing is troublesome for musicians both in terms of potential physical damage to hands, as well as disease. Getting sick on the road is a pig, and being on the road almost guarantees you're gonna get sick unless you're fanatical about your health. Musicians have learned much over the many years. At least the smart ones.

Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull) stopped shaking hands years ago for those very reasons. But what he offered was 'rubbing elbows' as an alternative. That allowed fans and press alike to feel more in touch with him without the associated risks of handshaking.

Oh - BTW - ZZ Top barely has the record for the longest run with the same members. Golden Earring was formed in 1961 and cut their 1st album in 1965 with the original guitarist (George) and bass & keyboard player (Rinus). Barry (Vocals, guitar, flute, sax, etc.) joined in 1967, and Cesar (Drums) joined in 1970. (One year later than the Top)

They have played together ever since, and put out a bunch of records. They still tour today and STILL hammer out their popular hits (Radar Love, Twilight Zone, Going to the Run, 45 Miles to Go, etc) along with almost any material they've ever recorded. Phenomenal!

It really is amazing that some of these old bands can still crank out their hits after all these years.

Thanks for sharing your experience with The Top!!

Best regards, Pete

 

[JFB]

normally the "this post is useless with out pics" needs to be "...useless with out SOUND!

(never mind I can hear the Texas riffs in my head)

 

[gramps]

Thanks for sharing Cholo. I have been to the Tivoli in the 70's for various different venues. I like ZZ Top's music. With all that facial hair etc, ya can't see the age lines. :shock: :lol:
gramps

 

[coach]

Billy Gibbons has a new cd out that I've heard a few songs of on Sirius radio. Even heard an interview were he gave out his own guacamole recipe.

 

[rugnelli]

Awesome! My 14 year old daughter and I saw them this year in a small venue in Brookings, South Dakota. Great pictures. We liked the fuzzy guitars and concert!

rugnelli

 

[Poco Oso]

"That little ol' band from Texas". Looks like great time, and to get to share it with your daughter...priceless. Great pics of one of my long-time, favorite bands. Thanks

 

[powder smoke]

Kinda jealous here never had the opportunity, thanks for the pics. ps

 

[gunzo]

I haven't been to very many concerts, but I've seen The Top twice. Thanks for sharing.

Sometimes my wife will get on me for the stereo being too loud, but if I'm playing Blue Jean Blues, she'll say.................. CRANK IT Up !!!

 

[bobski]

geeez. zz is like seeing a walmart in another town as you travel.

 

[Wyandot Jim]

Billy Gibbons Lives about 4 miles from me in a pretty nice house :wink: :wink:

 

[Rick Courtright]

Billy STILL doesn't have an ounce of fat on him! LOL! He defies the aging process, at least when it comes to around the belt!

Hi,

Maybe Billy's sticking the "Rev." in front of his name has paid off with a favor or two from above? I know God has a sense of humor, so He must have a good time with THAT!

Rick C

 

[bobski]

I can pick up a 35 year old zz album, listen to it, and listen to them now....and it hasn't changed. thus why they are called zz top.

zzzzzzzzzzzzz
sorry....2 old gray beards playing guitars gets....well.........old. sorta like playing space invaders.

spin a guitar, 15 min solos...drums......ZZZ

 

[Cholo]

(Spare me the badmouthing that happens every time someone sees an older band)

And right on que--here comes bobski :roll: You know, the kind of guy who doesn't fit in anywhere. The kind of guy you had to pick a number in high school to kick his *** and your turn would be 2 years out. bobski, the guy who enters a party and all the laughing stops and people start tossing their cookies in the spiked punch bowl. You pull out your number and realize there's still 250 men, women, children and dogs ahead of you to kick his...well, you get the point. That's bobski, and he's a member of this Forum.

There's always a bobski in these feel good R&R threads. I predicted it in the initial post and there he was, bobski. Congratulations! You just won the turd, and cookies, in the punch bowl prize!

I just copied a post where someone pulled a bobski on me about seeing the Rolling Stones. I'll just change the member's name and the group:

Y'all remember this cartoon from the 70's right? Well, all except bobski. It went:

See Dick drink
See Dick drive
See Dick get in an accident
Don't be a Dick!

Spare me the negative ZZ Top comments. If you don't like them, don't comment...

In every crowd, there's always a bobski, that one person that can spoil a special moment with his negative attitude and generally blah outlook on life. You know the person, the one you had to pick a number in HS to, um, teach him a lesson and your turn was 2 years away? That's bobski.

Cholo Sez: Don't go thru life being a bobski. Don't be a Dick! See ZZ Top without bobski! :mrgreen:

Moving on now...

 

[Cholo]

Cool, Jim! I'll have to go to TX and meet him some time. Oh, wait... :mrgreen:

Frank Beard loved the t-shirt I asked him to hold. My long time friend, Dave M, named our '85, or so, softball team after the ZZ song. Notice Billy Gibbons holding my ZZ key chain from the music videos. He said that it was way cool!

My daughter had to put on her cheap sun glasses for the pic. Love you, Les!

 

[WendyZXZ]

Thanks for sharing, those are some fine pictures and story!

 

[Poco Oso]

Okay, now I'm just jealous. Those backstage pics are GREAT! what a blast that had to be. :mrgreen:

 

[RSIno1]

Billy Gibbons Lives about 4 miles from me in a pretty nice house :wink: :wink:

That's where I want to be a back stage pass to Billy's garage. He's built some great cars.

 

[BlkHawk73]

Have seen them a few times and always a good show. Too bad Frank doesn't get the attention he deserves though. As for the backstage stuff... I see more an more that artists charge for these things. Might see greedy but as more and more fans are just out for a quick buck and profit from an autograph (eBay), I don't see a thing wrong with having to pay for that more personal meeting as opposed to being back there as a free guest. Some don't differentiate, others do. More and more it appears one than thank the "fans" for the changes.