ZZ Top Returns to New York City

With founding drummer Frank Beard back behind his kit after a health thing, ZZ Top is bringing its Elevation Tour to New York City to perform at the Beacon Theatre on Sept. 17.

The trek will find the trio — rounded out by singer/guitarist Billy F. Gibbons and bassist Elwood Francis (the band’s longtime guitar tech who took over for the late Dusty Hill) — going nationwide this fall with dates across whole country through Nov. 22 (check here for the full schedule). 

That ZZ Top ends the Elevation Tour in Mississippi (though a casino in Biloxi is a bit different from a juke joint in Clarksdale) should not come as a surprise, considering how ingrained the blues has been in the fabric of their Texas-born hybrid of rock ‘n’ roll boogie across such classic titles as ZZ Top’s First Album, Tres Hombres, El Loco,  Eliminator, Afterburner, Recycler and their last studio album, La Futura.

But New York City has also played a key role in the band’s development these past 55 years, as Gibbons tells Rock & Roll Globe in this exclusive chat ahead of the Beacon show.

Get out and see these dudes while you can.

 

Please tell me about ZZ Top’s first time playing New York. What went down?

ZZ Top’s first gig in New York City proper (Queens is part of NYC, right?) joined a bill with Uriah Heep and Rory Gallagher.  A great lineup all the way round.

ZZ ‘s follow-up moved over into Manhattan during the Tres Hombres tour showcased at the Academy of Music on 14th Street, sharing a fine lineup with AWB and the great B.B. King!  We were back in town shortly thereafter at Madison Square Garden on another lively bill with London Records label mates, Ten Years After.

 

Did ZZ Top ever hang out at Max’s Kansas City or CBGB during the ’70s? Were you a fan of the NYC punk scene at all? How did that punk/New Wave era hit you initially?

We were staying in London for the rise of punk during the late ‘70s while the downtown New York scene began exploding.  I’d been to Max’s a few times mixing with the NY art crowd there.  When punk and new wave took off we were captured. Seemed like rock and roll had clawed its way back to basics and, hey, we’re as basic as it gets.

 

ZZ Top has played the Beacon several times. What was your most memorable gig there and why?

The Beacon Theater, considered by many, as one of the best rooms entered can be said the beams and rafters have vibrated through the eons turning the building into a giant speaker system! One notable appearance brought another icon, Richie Havens who  paid us a visit backstage. It was the gig that Ben Ratliff reviewed in the New York Times calling it “perfect.”  That one’s in the resumé for sure!

 

VIDEO: ZZ Top “Velcro Fly”

Afterburner turned 40 this year. And while we are in New York, I’d love to know how you got together with Jellybean Benitez for the remix of “Velcro Fly.” Did you have an ear turned to the dance clubs in ’85?

We knew the dance thing was happening in a big way and New York was the center of the movement.  We were introduced to Jellybean and his interesting dance related twists and his “affiliation” with Madonna. We felt he expertly handled what was called for in a dance remix.  The “Velcro Fly” video then enjoyed being choreographed by none other than Paula Abdul right as she started making her own records.

 

What are or were some of your favorite places to eat in New York City when you’re here?

John’s Pizza is a sure bet as we also discovered the wave of Indian Restaurants clustered on E. 6th Street.. there must be 20 of ‘em! Malai Marke became a returning destination along with the appropriately named, Curry Flavor.

 

Do you have a good NYC guitar shop story you can share?

Fair to say the infamous Manny’s Music stood as a cornerstone go-to for everything and everybody.  Today’s magnet will draw one over to Chelsea Guitars where to intrigue of fine instruments line the walls.

 

We sadly lost the great Terry Manning earlier this year. I’d love to know more about ZZ Top’s rapport with him and how you all worked together through the years.

Rapport? Oh, yeah…!  It was a form of telepathy with Terry.  The Manning touch hammered those elusive sonic horizons making the near impossible happen.  A savant of the console!

 

How’s Frank doing?

Mr. Beard is great.  He’s hitting the skins and pounding powerfully between sips on electrolyte elixirs  while maintaining his well known sideways approach to making big noise with the backbeat.  Solid!