ZZ Top just released a new live album titled RAW: That Little Ol' Band From Texas Original Soundtrack, which features the trio's last recordings with Hill. "No one even know that he had whiskers until he showed up to a rehearsal, and I said: 'Who's the new guy?' And the chief technician said: 'That's your guitar technician, Elwood.' I said: 'No, the guy with the big beard.' And he said: 'Yeah, that's Elwood.'" "When Elwood jumped aboard initially, he was a skateboarder eating an avocado sandwich," the guitarist said. Perhaps the most heartening development regarding Francis' new full-time status in ZZ Top is his new chest-length beard, which matches Gibbons'. But who knows? I can cut him loose and let him do his thing." Which we are! It's really entertaining, I'll say that."Īs for whether Francis can replicate Hill's full-throated wail, as heard on songs like "Tush" and "I Got the Six," Gibbons observed, "He's quite good at harmonizing, but he's still a bit shy about taking a lead vocal at this stage of the game. You might even consider us being somewhat new as a band. But I must say that Elwood's presence brings a robust energy that is actually a boost to ZZ Top.
"We were curious if such a background was going to enter the ZZ Top world. Elwood's background is steeped in the punk-rock world," he explained. Gibbons praised Francis' energy and musicianship, noting that his different musical background brings a new element to the band. "It's interesting. "And the two of us both agreed that as an honor to the legacy of the band, we felt it would be more suitable to try to pick up sticks and carry on, rather than just throw in the towel." The band canceled only one show before soldiering on with its new member.ĭespite their sadness over the loss of their lifelong friend and bandmate, Gibbons and Beard both agreed with Hill's directive. "Well, it was an unexpected reality that landed not only in my lap, but allowed me to hunker down and get serious with Mr. He insisted shortly before his death that Gibbons and Beard continue with Francis in his stead. Hill died last year at the age of 72 while ZZ Top was in the midst of a U.S.
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