First decade and signature sound (1973–1982) Following their debut album, the band released Rio Grande Mud (1972), which failed commercially and the promotional tour consisted of mostly empty auditoriums. The music and songs reflected ZZ Top's blues influences. With the assistance of Ham and engineer Robin Hood Brians, ZZ Top's First Album (1971) was released and exhibited the band's humour, with "barrelhouse" rhythms, distorted guitars, double entendres, and innuendo. In addition to assuming the role as the band's leader, Gibbons became the main lyricist and musical arranger. They performed their first concert together at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Beaumont on February 10. After Hill moved from Dallas to Houston, ZZ Top signed with London in 1970. Unwilling to sign a recording contract, Ethridge quit the band and Dusty Hill was selected as his replacement. record companies, ZZ Top accepted a record deal from London Records. Immediately after the recording of "Salt Lick", Greig was replaced by bassist Billy Ethridge, a band-mate of Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Mitchell was replaced by Frank Beard of the American Blues. They released their first single, "Salt Lick", in 1969, and the B-side contained the song "Miller's Farm". ZZ Top was managed by Bill Ham, a Waxahachie, Texas native who had befriended Gibbons a year earlier. He then figured that "king is going at the top" which brought him to "ZZ Top". Hill and thought of combining the two into "ZZ King", but considered it too similar to the original name. The band had a little apartment covered with concert posters and he noticed that many performers' names utilized initials. The original line-up was formed in Houston and consisted of Gibbons, organist Lanier Greig (died February 2013) and drummer Dan Mitchell. ZZ Top was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. By 2014, ZZ Top had sold more than 50 million albums worldwide. That includes 11 gold, seven platinum and three multi-platinum records as of 2016, according to the RIAA. Total record sales of 25 million place ZZ Top among the top-100-selling artists in the United States, according to the Recording Industry Association of America. The band's top-selling album is the 1983 Eliminator, which sold more than 10 million copies in the United States. The band is also known for its humorous lyrics laced with double entendres and innuendo. Beginning with blues-inspired rock, the band incorporated new wave, punk rock and dance-rock by using synthesizers.
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The band released its first album-called ZZ Top's First Album-in 1971.
![zz top hits zz top hits](https://www.rainbow45records.com/Uploads/UrunResimleri/buyuk/zz-top---greatest-hits-f9d6.jpg)
"Gibbons is one of America's finest blues guitarists working in the arena rock idiom while Hill and Beard provide the ultimate rhythm section support." "As genuine roots musicians, they have few peers", according to former musician, critic and collector Michael "Cub" Koda. The band has, since 1970, consisted of bassist and lead vocalist Dusty Hill, guitarist and lead vocalist Billy Gibbons (the band's leader, main lyricist and musical arranger), and drummer Frank Beard.
![zz top hits zz top hits](http://www.analogueseduction.net/user/products/large/zz_top-lowdown_a.jpg)
ZZ Top / ˈ z iː z iː t ɒ p/ is an American rock band formed in 1969 in Houston, Texas.