Another Summer Tour (Southern Rock Edition)

I've had a frustrating morning so maybe I'm feeling more grouchy that normal, but this tour announcement (post below)  does nothing for me. In fact, I even rolled my eyes. Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top will tour together this summer and Uncle Kracker will provide support. 

I suppose this could be a fun night of nostalgia but ZZ Top are not exciting live and I've never seen Skynyrd (in any iteration) -- but this bill just feels past its prime to me. Even the tour name "Sharp Dressed Simple Man" irks me. Like, is that a thing? I mean, I get where the title comes from, but come on. 

Maybe I should go back to bed and start this day over! 

Lynyrd Skynyrd will be joined by @ZZTop in Summer 2023 for the Sharp Dressed Simple Man tour! Presale starts tomorrow with code SKYNYRD50. pic.twitter.com/vfGvbr58vL

— Lynyrd Skynyrd (@Skynyrd) December 12, 2022

ZZ Top Announce 'Raw Whisky' Tour and Live Album

ZZ Top will release a new live album called Raw in July... and they will tour behind it as well. The album will be dedicated to late ZZ Top bassist Dusty Hill. A first tranche of tour dates was announced earlier today and more are coming.

Elwood Francis is the new bass player for ZZ Top. He's been with the band for a long time as a guitar tech.

Tickets for the tour go on sale Friday.

ZZ Top announces Leg 1 of their 2022 US Tour! Tickets are on sale Friday March 11th. Go to https://t.co/UuDtd1Ph5j for more info. pic.twitter.com/l8LlGjTOVe

— ZZ Top (@ZZTop) March 7, 2022

ZZ Top Will Continue On

The death of ZZ Top bassist Dusty Hill was the big, sad news of yesterday. Now, word the band will go ahead with Dusty's blessing. In a couple tweets from Billy Gibbons to Eddie Trunk, it seems that Dusty gave his blessing for the band to continue.

ZZ Top is currently on tour. The South Carolina show planned for last night was cancelled. Hill's longtime guitar tech is filling in for the live shows.

Received this just now via text from @BillyFGibbons regarding passing of Dusty Hill @ZZTop . Billy told me okay to share w/fans: As Dusty said upon his departure, “ Let the show go on!”.and…with respect, we’ll do well to get beyond this and honor his wishes.

— Eddie Trunk (@EddieTrunk) July 28, 2021

Also this from @BillyFGibbons @ZZTop : Dusty emphatically grabbed my arm and said, “Give Elwood the bottom end and take it to the Top”.
He meant it, amigo. He really did.

— Eddie Trunk (@EddieTrunk) July 28, 2021

Farewell Dusty Hill

Back here in the obits section - I mean Bring Back Glam! - more sad news: Dusty Hill, founding bassist for ZZ Top, has died. He was 72. The band says he died in his sleep. Hill - and ZZ Top - are music legends, especially for southern rock. They were huge in the 80s too. I'm glad I got to see them live once. Seriously people, see the bands you love live now while you still can.

ZZ Top is currently on tour. No word what will happen with those dates. The band is supposed to perform tonight in South Carolina. Hill was already off the tour for a few shows for a hip issue.

Dusty Hill, bassist for the rock band ZZ Top, has died just days after he had taken a leave of absence due to a hip issue, the group says. https://t.co/t4kTY74EwH

— NBC News (@NBCNews) July 28, 2021

Today we lost a great friend and a remarkable Texan.

ZZ Top’s Bassist Dusty Hill Dead at 72

Truly a music legend. https://t.co/VVkJ67E7lN

— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) July 28, 2021