ZZ TOP
Formed in 1969 in Houston, Texas, ZZ Top consists of Billy Gibbons (guitar, lead vocals), Dusty Hill (bass, backing vocals), and Frank Beard (drums). The band became known for their blend of blues, boogie, and rock, combined with a bit of humor and larger-than-life personas. Their iconic hits include songs like "La Grange," "Sharp Dressed Man," "Tush," "Legs," and "Gimme All Your Lovin’."
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While ZZ Top rose to fame in the 1970s and 1980s, Vegas became an important stop for the band during their later career as they embraced residencies and frequent performances in the city. Their high-energy shows and larger-than-life stage presence were a natural fit for Vegas’s glitzy entertainment scene.
ZZ Top began performing in Las Vegas in various venues as part of their tours, but it was their residency shows that really cemented their Vegas legacy. In 2019, the band celebrated their 50th anniversary with a residency at the Venetian Theatre in Las Vegas. The show, titled "Viva Las Vegas", was a perfect reflection of ZZ Top's style, blending the rawness of their Texas roots with the glitz and showmanship that defines Las Vegas entertainment.
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ZZ Top’s song "Viva Las Vegas", a rock cover of Elvis Presley’s 1964 hit, has become a key connection between the band and the city. Their version of the song was recorded for the soundtrack of the 1992 film Honeymoon in Vegas, and it became one of their signature tunes, linking the band to the iconic Las Vegas spirit. The song’s upbeat, high-energy style perfectly encapsulated the fun, party atmosphere of both ZZ Top’s performances and Las Vegas itself.
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The band’s beards, sunglasses, and custom guitars (like the famous "fuzzy" guitars they used for "Legs") made them visual icons as well as musical ones, which played perfectly into Las Vegas’s love for distinctive, memorable performances. ZZ Top’s blend of rock and humor also fits right in with the city’s entertainment culture, where the line between spectacle and performance is often blurred.
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In July 2021, longtime bassist Dusty Hill passed away at the age of 72. His death marked the end of an era for the band, as he was a founding member and an integral part of ZZ Top's sound and image. However, the band has continued to tour and perform, with their guitar tech Elwood Francis stepping in on bass, carrying on the legacy of their iconic music.
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Billy Gibbons has a home in Las Vegas and might even be seen around the tasting room from time to time.
