Editing ZZ Top (section)

==History==

=== Formation ===
Billy Gibbons had formed the band [[Moving Sidewalks]] in Houston in 1966 with Dan Mitchell on drums, Tom Moore on keyboards, and Don Summers on bass. The group earned Gibbons local recognition, with their single "99th Floor" becoming a hit in Houston. After opening for various popular groups such as [[the Doors]], [[Jimi Hendrix]], and the [[13th Floor Elevators]], Moving Sidewalks eventually released the album [[Flash (Moving Sidewalks album)|''Flash'']] (1969). By this point, both Moore and Summers had been drafted into the [[United States Army]] to fight in the [[Vietnam War]], and Gibbons and Mitchell subsequently recruited bassist-keyboardist Lanier Greig, thus forming the first iteration of ZZ Top.<ref name="HC">{{cite news |last=Dansby |first=Andrew |date=February 16, 2013 |title=Greig, early ZZ Top member, dies at 64 |url=http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Lanier-Greig-musician-and-early-ZZ-Top-member-4284956.php |access-date=July 28, 2014 |newspaper=[[Houston Chronicle]]}}</ref> The name of the band was Gibbons' idea; the band had a small apartment covered with concert posters, and he noticed that many performers' names used initials. Gibbons particularly noticed [[B.B. King]] and [[Z. Z. Hill]], and thought of combining the two into "ZZ King", but considered it too similar to the original name. He then figured that "king is at the top" which gave him the idea of naming the band "ZZ Top".<ref>{{cite web|title= Uncle Joe Benson – The Story: ZZ Top 9-11-15 The Stor |publisher= [[SoundCloud]] |access-date= September 13, 2015 |url= https://soundcloud.com/uncle-joe-benson/the-story-zz-top-9-11-15 |archive-date= October 7, 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151007205644/https://soundcloud.com/uncle-joe-benson/the-story-zz-top-9-11-15}}</ref> 

ZZ Top was managed by [[Bill Ham]], a [[Waxahachie, Texas]], native who had befriended Gibbons a year earlier. They released their first single, "Salt Lick", in 1969, and the B-side contained the song "Miller's Farm". Both songs credited Gibbons as the composer. Shortly after the recording of "Salt Lick", Greig was replaced by bassist Billy Ethridge, a bandmate of [[Stevie Ray Vaughan]]'s, and Mitchell was replaced by [[Frank Beard (musician)|Frank Beard]] of [[American Blues]]. 

===Early years (1969–1972)===
Due to lack of interest from the major American record companies, ZZ Top accepted a record deal from [[London Records]], the American affiliate of the British [[Decca Records]] label. Unwilling to sign a recording contract, Ethridge quit the band and [[Dusty Hill]], Frank Beard's American Blues bandmate, became his replacement in late 1969. At this moment, all three members of the band were 20 years old. After Hill moved from Dallas to Houston, ZZ Top signed with London in 1970. They performed their first concert together at a Knights of Columbus Hall in [[Beaumont, Texas]], on February 10, 1970. The show was booked by [[KLVI]] radio personality Al Caldwell, who was also instrumental in broadcasting the band's first recordings.<ref>{{cite web|first=Craig |last=Hlavaty |title=ZZ Top played its first show together 50 years ago |website=houstonchronicle.com |date=February 10, 2020 |access-date=May 25, 2022 |url=https://preview.houstonchronicle.com/music/zz-top-first-concert-1970-6073072}}</ref>

In addition to assuming the role as the band's leader, Gibbons became the main lyricist and musical arranger. With the assistance of Ham and engineer Robin Hood Brians, ''[[ZZ Top's First Album]]'' (1971) was released. It featured "barrelhouse" rhythms, distorted guitars, double entendres, and innuendo. The music and songs reflected ZZ Top's blues influences. Following their debut album, the band released ''[[Rio Grande Mud]]'' (1972), which produced their first charting single, "[[Francine (song)|Francine]]".<ref>{{cite web|first= Matthew |last= Wilkening |title= Revisiting ZZ Top's Second Album, 'Rio Grande Mud' |website= [[Ultimate Classic Rock]] |date= April 4, 2015 |access-date= June 5, 2019 |url= https://ultimateclassicrock.com/zz-top-rio-grande-mud-turns-40/}}</ref>

===First decade of success and signature sound (1973–1982)===
{{more citations needed section|date=March 2023}}
[[File:ZZ Top (1976).png|thumb|right|upright=0.85|ZZ Top performing live in 1976]]

ZZ Top released ''[[Tres Hombres]]'' in 1973, which reached the number eight on the ''[[Billboard 200|Billboard ''200'']]'' albums chart by early 1974. The album's sound was the result of the propulsive support provided by Hill and Beard, and Gibbons' "growling" guitar tone. Stephen Thomas Erlewine wrote that the album "brought ZZ Top their first top-10 record, making them stars in the process".<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Woodstra |first1=Chris |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YZ2bT1mu97kC&dq=Stephen+Thomas+Erlewine+brought+ZZ+Top+their+first+Top+Ten+record,+making+them+stars+in+the+process&pg=PA256 |title=All Music Guide Required Listening: Classic Rock |last2=Bush |first2=John |last3=Erlewine |first3=Stephen Thomas |date=2007 |publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation |isbn=978-0-87930-917-6 |pages=256 |language=en}}</ref> The album included the boogie-driven "[[La Grange (song)|La Grange]]" (written about the [[Chicken Ranch (Texas)|Chicken Ranch]], a notorious [[brothel]] in [[La Grange, Texas]], that also inspired the musical ''[[The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas]]''). On the subsequent tour, the band performed sold-out concerts in the US. During this tour, ZZ Top recorded the live tracks that would fill one side of their 1975 album, ''[[Fandango!]]'', which also contained one side of new studio songs. The album charted highly and its single "[[Tush (ZZ Top song)|Tush]]" peaked at number 20 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]].

ZZ Top began the [[Worldwide Texas Tour]] in May 1976 to support ''Fandango!'', and the tour continued through 1977 with 98 shows over 18 months.<ref>{{cite web|title=Live Rattlesnakes and Rock n' Roll: The Story of ZZ Top's "Worldwide Texas Tour" |last=Moreno |first=Ricky |website=stmuscholars.com |date=October 22, 2020 |access-date=May 25, 2022 |url=https://stmuscholars.org/live-rattlesnakes-and-rock-n-roll-the-story-of-zz-tops-worldwide-texas-tour/}}</ref> ''[[Tejas (album)|Tejas]]'', recorded during a break in the tour and released in November 1976, was the final ZZ Top album under their contract with London Records. It was not as successful or as positively received as their previous two efforts, but reached number 17 on the ''Billboard'' 200.<ref>{{cite web|title= Tejas – Awards |publisher= AllMusic |access-date= July 28, 2014 |url= http://www.allmusic.com/album/tejas-mw0000193395/awards}}</ref> The singles from ''Tejas'', "[[It's Only Love (ZZ Top song)|It's Only Love]]" and "[[Arrested for Driving While Blind]]", both failed to crack the top 40 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.

In 1978, after almost seven years of touring and a string of successful albums, ZZ Top went on hiatus while Beard dealt with addiction problems. Gibbons traveled to Europe, Beard went to Jamaica, and Hill went to Mexico.<ref name="DiPerna">{{cite magazine |last=di Perna |first=Alan |date=July 2, 2008 |title=ZZ Top: Cars, Guitars, & Three Unlikely Rock Stars |url=http://www.guitarworld.com/article/zz_top_cars_guitars_three_unlikely_rock_stars?page=0,8 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081030192921/http://www.guitarworld.com/article/zz_top_cars_guitars_three_unlikely_rock_stars?page=0,8 |archive-date=October 30, 2008 |magazine=[[Guitar World]]}}</ref> Hill also spent three months working at [[Dallas Fort Worth International Airport|DFW Airport]], saying he wanted to "feel normal" and "ground himself" after years spent performing.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Lifton |first=Dave |date=August 31, 2019 |title=Why Dusty Hill Spent ZZ Top's '70s Hiatus Working at an Airport |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/dusty-hill-day-job/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730230222/https://ultimateclassicrock.com/dusty-hill-day-job/ |archive-date=July 30, 2021 |access-date=2021-07-30 |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |language=en}}</ref> In 1979, ZZ Top returned to record a new album. Gibbons and Hill were now sporting chest-length beards. ZZ Top signed with [[Warner Bros. Records]] and released the album ''[[Degüello]]'' in late 1979.

While ''Degüello'' went platinum, it only reached number 24 on the ''Billboard'' chart.<ref>{{cite web|title= Degüello – Awards |publisher= AllMusic |access-date= July 28, 2014 |url= http://www.allmusic.com/album/deg%C3%BCello-mw0000651021/awards}}</ref> The album produced two popular singles: "[[I Thank You (song)|I Thank You]]", a cover of the [[David Porter (musician)|David Porter]]/[[Isaac Hayes]] composition originally recorded by [[Sam & Dave]], and the band original "[[Cheap Sunglasses]]". The band remained a popular concert attraction and toured in support of ''Degüello''. In April 1980, ZZ Top made their first appearances in Europe, performing for the German music television show ''[[Rockpalast]]'' (later included on the 2009 DVD ''[[Double Down Live: 1980 & 2008]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine|first= William |last= Pinfold |title= Double Down Live 1980/2008 – ZZ Top |magazine= [[Record Collector]] |issue= 372 |date= January 15, 2010 |access-date= May 3, 2022 |url= https://recordcollectormag.com/reviews/dvd/double-down-live1980-2008}}</ref> and the [[BBC]] show ''[[The Old Grey Whistle Test]]''.<ref>{{cite news|title= ZZ Top - Old Grey Whistle Test Session (1980) |publisher= [[BBC Radio 2]] |date= April 1980 |access-date= October 11, 2021 |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00lb4zh}}</ref> The band shared the BBC's studio with English [[electronic music|electronic]] group [[Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark]] (OMD), whom Gibbons felt "were great".<ref>{{cite book|first= Mike |last= West |year= 1982 |title= Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark |publisher= [[Omnibus Press]] |pages= 19, 42 |isbn= 0-7119-0149-X}}</ref> Inspired by OMD, ZZ Top introduced a jerky dancing style to their live show and began to experiment with [[synthesizer]]s,<ref name="Simmons82">{{cite magazine|first= Sylvie |last= Simmons |author-link= Sylvie Simmons |title= Over the Top! |magazine=[[Kerrang!]] |issue= 19 |date= July 1–15, 1982 |page= 6 |quote= [Billy Gibbons:] We steal our [dance] moves heavily off Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark.}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|first= Tom |last= Breihan |title= ZZ Top's Dusty Hill Dead at 72 |magazine= [[Stereogum]] |date= July 28, 2021 |access-date= August 22, 2021 |url= https://www.stereogum.com/2155612/zz-tops-dusty-hill-dead-at-72/news/ |url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210728203727/https://www.stereogum.com/2155612/zz-tops-dusty-hill-dead-at-72/news/ |archive-date= July 28, 2021}}</ref> which featured prominently on the October 1981 album ''[[El Loco]]''.<ref>{{cite web|first= Joe |last= Bosso |title= Billy Gibbons talks ZZ Top: The Complete Studio Albums (1970-1990) |website= [[MusicRadar]] |date= June 3, 2013 |access-date= October 30, 2020 |url= http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/billy-gibbons-talks-zz-top-the-complete-studio-albums-1970-1990-575728/8/ |archive-date= July 12, 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140712094453/http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/billy-gibbons-talks-zz-top-the-complete-studio-albums-1970-1990-575728/8/}}</ref> The album peaked at number 17 on the ''Billboard'' chart, and featured the singles "[[Tube Snake Boogie]]", "[[Pearl Necklace (song)|Pearl Necklace]]", and "Leila".<ref>{{cite web|title= El Loco – Awards |publisher= AllMusic |access-date= July 28, 2014 |url= http://www.allmusic.com/album/el-loco-mw0000197282/awards}}</ref> Their albums from this period showed a more modern sound.<ref>{{cite news|first= Stephen Thomas |last= Erlewine |author-link= Stephen Thomas Erlewine |title= ZZ Top bassist Dusty Hill dies at 72 |newspaper= [[Los Angeles Times]] |date= July 28, 2021 |access-date= August 22, 2021 |url= https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2021-07-28/zz-top-dusty-hill-bassist-dies-72}}</ref>

=== ''Eliminator'' (1983) ===
[[File:ZZTop.jpg|thumb|right|upright=0.85|Hill and Gibbons in 1983]]

Gibbons pushed ZZ Top in a more modern direction for ''[[Eliminator (album)|Eliminator]]'', released in March 1983. It featured two top-40 singles ("[[Gimme All Your Lovin']]" and "[[Legs (song)|Legs]]"), and two additional [[Mainstream Rock (chart)|Top Rock]] hits ("[[Got Me Under Pressure]]" and "[[Sharp Dressed Man]]"), with the extended dance mix of "Legs" peaking at number 13 on the [[Dance Club Songs|Club Play Singles]] chart.<ref>{{cite web|title= Eliminator – Awards |publisher= AllMusic |access-date= July 28, 2013 |url= http://www.allmusic.com/album/eliminator-mw0000192586/awards}}</ref> The album became a critical and commercial success, selling more than 10 million copies and reaching number 9 in the U.S. ''Billboard'' pop charts. It is the only ZZ Top album to be [[certified diamond]].<ref name="riaa">{{cite web|title= Gold & Platinum – ZZ Top |publisher= [[Recording Industry Association of America]] |access-date= August 22, 2021 |url= https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=zz+top&adv=SEARCH#search_section}}</ref>

Several music videos from the album were in regular rotation on MTV, attracting many new fans. The band won their first [[MTV Video Music Award]]s in the categories of [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Group Video|Best Group Video]] for "Legs", and [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Direction|Best Direction]] for "Sharp Dressed Man". The music videos were included in their ''[[Greatest Hits (ZZ Top DVD)|Greatest Hits]]'' video, which was later released on DVD and quickly went multiplatinum.<ref name="riaa"/>

''Eliminator'' retained Gibbons's signature guitar style, while adding elements of [[new wave music]]; the electronic band [[Depeche Mode]] was cited as an influence.<ref>{{cite magazine|first= David |last= Fricke |author-link= David Fricke |title= Billy Gibbons: My Life in 15 Songs |magazine= [[Rolling Stone]] |date= November 10, 2015 |access-date= November 1, 2020 |url= https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-lists/billy-gibbons-my-life-in-15-songs-151784/sharp-dressed-man-1983-142974/}}</ref> To compose the songs, Gibbons worked closely with live-in engineer Linden Hudson at the band's rehearsal studio in Texas, setting a faster [[tempo]] with [[drum machine]]s and [[synthesizer]]s. The main recording sessions were again supervised in Memphis by [[Terry Manning]], who collaborated with Gibbons to replace many of the contributions from Hill and Beard.<ref name="Blayney1994"/> [[Jimi Jamison]] joined Manning to provide backing vocals.<ref>{{cite news|first= Mitch |last= McCracken |title= Where are they now: Jimi Jamison of Survivor |newspaper= The Sun Times |date= November 20, 2009 |access-date= October 31, 2020 |url= http://www.thesuntimes.com/article/20091120/NEWS/311209981 |archive-date= April 4, 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190404160555/https://www.thesuntimes.com/article/20091120/NEWS/311209981}}</ref>

Stage manager David Blayney described how Hudson co-wrote much of the material on the album without receiving credit. The band recorded Hudson's song "Thug" without permission, finally paying him $600,000 in 1986 after he proved in court he held the copyright.<ref name="Blayney1994">{{cite book|first= David |last= Blayney |year= 1994 |title= Sharp Dressed Men |location= New York |publisher= [[Hachette Books|Hyperion]] |pages= 196–203 |isbn= 0-7868-8005-8}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|first=Deborah |last=Frost |year= 1985 |title= ZZ Top - Bad and Worldwide |pages=103, 106–107, 115 |location= New York |publisher= Rolling Stone Press |isbn= 0020029500}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|first= David |last= Sinclair |year= 1986 |title= Tres Hombres: The Story of ZZ Top |page=76 |publisher= [[Virgin Books|Virgin]] |isbn= 0-86369-167-6}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|author= Staff |date= March 1987 |title= Who Writes the Songs? |magazine= [[Texas Monthly]] |volume= 15 |issue= 3 |page= 82 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=6CkEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA82}}</ref> The band had previously used other people's work without credit; for instance, in 1972 ZZ Top claimed sole writing credit for the hit song "[[Francine (song)|Francine]]" from the album ''Rio Grande Mud'', cutting out two co-writers, Steve Perron and [[Kenny Cordray]]. Hudson's extensive contributions to the song "Groovy Little Hippie Pad" went uncredited in 1981 for the album ''El Loco''.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.creem.com/article/2023/6/1/beard-science |title=Beard Science |last=Scott |first=Grace |pages=52–59 |magazine=[[Creem]] |date=June 2023 |access-date=October 23, 2023 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>

=== ''Afterburner'' and ''Recycler'' (1985–1991) ===
Despite selling fewer copies than ''Eliminator'', ''[[Afterburner (ZZ Top album)|Afterburner]]'' (1985) became ZZ Top's highest-charting album (number four on the U.S. ''Billboard'' chart),<ref name="Afterburner">{{cite web|title= Afterburner – Awards |publisher= AllMusic |access-date= July 28, 2013 |url= http://www.allmusic.com/album/afterburner-mw0000196478/awards}}</ref> with sales of five million copies.<ref name="riaa"/> All of the singles from ''Afterburner'' were top-40 hits, with "Sleeping Bag" and "Stages" topping the Mainstream Rock chart.<ref name="Afterburner"/> The music video for "[[Velcro Fly]]", their final top-40 hit on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, was choreographed by future pop singer [[Paula Abdul]].<ref>{{cite news|title= Paula Abdul – Times Topics |newspaper= [[The New York Times]] |date= August 5, 2009 |access-date= December 19, 2010 |url= http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/a/paula_abdul/index.html}}</ref> In 1987, ZZ Top released ''[[The Six Pack (ZZ Top album)|The Six Pack]]'', a collection of their first five albums plus ''El Loco''. The albums were remixed with new drum and guitar effects for a more "contemporary" sound similar to ''Eliminator''.<ref>{{cite web|first= Stephen Thomas |last= Erlewine |title= ZZ Top – Six Pack |website= [[AllMusic]] |access-date= August 22, 2021 |url= https://www.allmusic.com/album/six-pack-mw0000651365}}</ref>

''[[Recycler (ZZ Top album)|Recycler]]'', released in 1990, was ZZ Top's final studio album with Warner Records and the last of a distinct sonic trilogy in their catalogue, marking a return towards a simpler guitar-driven blues sound with less synthesizer and pop bounce than their previous two albums. This move did not entirely suit the fan base that ''Eliminator'' and ''Afterburner'' had built up, and while ''Recycler'' did achieve platinum status, it never matched the sales of those albums. However, the single "[[My Head's in Mississippi]]" reached number one on the [[Mainstream Rock (chart)|''Billboard'' Album Rock Tracks]] chart that year.<ref>{{cite magazine|title= Mainstream Rock: Dec 08, 1990 |magazine= Billboard |date= November 28, 2013 |access-date= July 21, 2019 |url= http://www.billboard.com/biz/charts/1990-12-08/hot-mainstream-rock-tracks}}</ref>

===Return to guitar-driven sound (1992–2003)===
In 1992, Warner released ''ZZ Top's Greatest Hits'', along with a new [[The Rolling Stones|Rolling Stones]]-style cut, "Gun Love", and an [[Elvis Presley|Elvis]]-inflected video, "[[Viva Las Vegas (song)|Viva Las Vegas]]". In 1993, ZZ Top inducted a major influence, [[Cream (band)|Cream]], into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]].

In 1994, the band signed a $35 million deal with [[RCA Records]],<ref name="rockhonors">{{cite web|title= VH1 Rock Honors 2007 – Honorees |publisher= [[VH1]] |year= 2007 |access-date= December 19, 2010 |url= http://www.vh1.com/shows/events/rock_honors/_2007/honorees.jhtml |archive-date= July 3, 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120703065056/http://www.vh1.com/shows/events/rock_honors/_2007/honorees.jhtml}}</ref> releasing the million-selling ''[[Antenna (ZZ Top album)|Antenna]]''. Subsequent RCA albums, ''[[Rhythmeen]]'' (1996) and 1999's ''[[XXX (ZZ Top album)|XXX]]'' (the second album to feature live tracks) sold well, but did not reach the levels enjoyed previously. In 2003, ZZ Top released a final RCA album, ''[[Mescalero (album)|Mescalero]]'', an album thick with harsh Gibbons guitar and featuring a [[hidden track]]—a cover version of "[[As Time Goes By (song)|As Time Goes By.]]" RCA impresario Clive Davis wanted to do a collaboration record (in the mode of [[Carlos Santana]]'s successful ''Supernatural'') for this album. In an interview in ''[[Goldmine (magazine)|Goldmine]]'', Davis stated that artists [[Pink (singer)|Pink]], [[Dave Matthews]], and [[Wilco]] were among the artists slated for the project. ZZ Top performed "Tush" and "Legs" as part of the [[Super Bowl XXXI halftime show]] in 1997.

A comprehensive four-CD collection of recordings from the London and Warner Bros. years, ''[[Chrome, Smoke & BBQ]]'', was released in 2003. It featured the band's first single (A- and B-side) and several rare B-side tracks, as well as a radio promotion from 1979, a live track, and several extended dance-mix versions of their biggest MTV hits. Three tracks from Billy Gibbons' pre-ZZ band, the Moving Sidewalks, were also included.

===Critical acclaim and retrospective releases (2004–2011)===
[[File:ZZ Top, 26Jun2010.jpg|thumb|left|ZZ Top at the [[Crossroads Guitar Festival]], on June 26, 2010]]

In 2004, ZZ Top was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. [[Keith Richards]] of the Rolling Stones gave the induction speech. ZZ Top gave a brief performance, playing "La Grange" and "Tush".

[[File:Dusty hill and billy gibbons finland 2010.jpg|thumb|Hill and Gibbons performing at Puistoblues in [[Järvenpää]], Finland, on July 4, 2010]]
In 2006, ''Tres Hombres'' and ''Fandango!'' received releases of expanded and remastered versions, which used the original mixes free from echo and drum machines, and included additional bonus live tracks.

The ''Eliminator Collector's Edition'' CD/DVD, celebrating the 25th anniversary of the band's iconic RIAA Diamond Certified album, was released September 10, 2008. The release includes seven bonus tracks and a bonus DVD, including four television performances from ''[[The Tube (1982 TV series)|The Tube]]'' in November 1983.<ref>{{cite web|title= "Eliminator" Reissue Coming March 25th! |website= ZZtop.com |date= January 14, 2008 |archive-date= July 18, 2011 |url= http://www.zztop.com/index.php?module=news_item&news_item_id=116 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110718161726/http://www.zztop.com/index.php?module=news_item&news_item_id=116}}</ref>

The band performed at the 2009 [[Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo]] on the final night on March 22, 2009. In July, the band appeared on [[VH1]]'s ''[[VH1 Storytellers|Storytellers]]'', in celebration of their four decades as recording artists.<ref>{{cite press release|title= VH1 to Premiere ZZ Top "Storytellers" |agency= [[All Headline News|AHN]] |date= June 10, 2009 |access-date= December 18, 2010 |url= http://www.icelebz.com/gossips/tv/vh1_to_premiere_zz_top_storytellers_/ |archive-date= July 25, 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110725114633/http://www.icelebz.com/gossips/tv/vh1_to_premiere_zz_top_storytellers_/}}</ref>

===''La Futura'' (2012–2020)===
[[File:ZZ.TOP 2 rkent at mac dot com.jpg|thumb|ZZ Top at the [[Alamodome]] in San Antonio, Texas, November 7, 2013]]
[[File:ZZ Top 2015.jpg|thumb|ZZ Top performing at the [[Majestic Theatre (San Antonio)|Majestic Theatre]] in San Antonio in 2015]]

Billy Gibbons stated in an interview in August 2011 that a new album had been recorded, with initial recording taking place in [[Malibu, California]], before moving to Houston, but was still unnamed and had yet to be mixed and mastered.<ref name="ucr"/> Gibbons said that the expected release date was sometime in March or April 2012, but later, a late summer or early fall release date was announced.<ref name="ucr">{{cite web|title= ZZ Top 'Sowing and Stitching Away' at New Album, Says Billy Gibbons |website= Ultimate Classic Rock |date= August 23, 2011 |access-date= September 22, 2011 |url-status= live |url= http://ultimateclassicrock.com/zz-top-new-album-march-2012/ |archive-date= December 25, 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20111225070034/http://ultimateclassicrock.com/zz-top-new-album-march-2012/}}</ref> The album was subsequently released on September 11, 2012.<ref>{{cite web|title= La Futura Arrives This September from ZZ Top |website= ZZtop.com |date= August 3, 2012 |url= http://zztop.com/news/90461 |archive-date= October 14, 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121014013711/http://zztop.com/news/90461}}</ref>

Entitled ''[[La Futura]]'', the album was produced by [[Rick Rubin]].<ref>{{cite magazine|first1= David |last1= Fricke |first2= Eric |last2= Helton |first3= Matthew |last3= Murphy |title= Billy Gibbons on the band's next album |magazine= [[Rolling Stone]] |date= November 29, 2011 |access-date= July 28, 2014 |url= https://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/zz-top-billy-gibbons-on-the-bands-next-album-20111129}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title= La Futura by ZZ Top |publisher= MP396 |date= September 13, 2012 |access-date= July 28, 2014 |url= http://mp396.com/la-futura-by-zz-top.html |archive-date= December 28, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131228004844/http://mp396.com/la-futura-by-zz-top.html}}</ref> The first single from the album, "I Gotsta Get Paid", debuted in an advertising campaign for [[Jeremiah Weed|Jeremiah Weed Whiskey]] and appears on the soundtrack of the film ''[[Battleship (film)|Battleship]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title= Battleship (2012) – Soundtracks |publisher= [[Internet Movie Database]] |access-date= July 28, 2014 |url= https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1440129/soundtrack}}</ref> The song itself is an interpretation of "25 Lighters" by Texan hip hop DJ DMD and rappers [[Lil' Keke]] and [[Fat Pat (rapper)|Fat Pat]].<ref>{{cite web|first= Jeff |last= Giles |title= ZZ Top's New Single Based on '90s Rap Song |website= Ultimate Classic Rock |date= May 30, 2012 |access-date= July 28, 2014 |url= http://ultimateclassicrock.com/zz-top-new-single-based-on-90s-rap-song/}}</ref> The first four songs from ''La Futura'' debuted on June 5, 2012, on an EP called ''Texicali''.<ref>{{cite web|title= Release Day! |website= ZZtop.com |access-date= July 7, 2012 |url= http://www.zztop.com/news/81091%20Texicali |archive-date= July 29, 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140729014435/http://www.zztop.com/news/81091%20Texicali}}</ref> [[DJ Screw]] was a major influence on the album as well, particularly because Gibbons and Screw both worked with engineer G. L. Moon during the late 1990s.<ref>{{cite news|first= Ben |last= Ratliff |title= Traveling at the Speed of Molasses |newspaper= [[The New York Times]] |date= September 6, 2012 |access-date= July 28, 2014 |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/09/arts/music/for-zz-top-new-album-la-futura-and-a-tour.html?_r=2&}}</ref>

On March 3, 2015, ZZ Top began a North American tour in [[Red Bank, New Jersey]], at the Count Basie Theatre. After rescheduled dates and additions, the tour ended in [[Highland Park, Illinois]], at the [[Ravinia Festival]] on August 27, with the opening act [[Blackberry Smoke]]. [[Jeff Beck]] joined ZZ Top for seven concerts.<ref>{{cite web|title= ZZ Top 2015 North American Tour Schedule with Jeff Beck & Blackberry Smoke |website= Zz-top.concerttournewshub |access-date= March 29, 2015 |url= http://ZZ-Top.concerttournewshub.com/ |archive-date= October 6, 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151006085950/http://zz-top.concerttournewshub.com/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title= Upcoming Tour Dates |website= Zztop.com |access-date= March 29, 2015 |url= http://www.zztop.com/tour/}}</ref>

On September 9, 2016, ZZ Top released ''Tonite at Midnight: Live Greatest Hits from Around the World''. In 2017, they began the [[Tonnage Tour|2017 Tonnage Tour]],<ref>{{cite web|first= Jeff |last= Giles |title= ZZ Top Announce 2017 'Tonnage' Tour |website= Ultimate Classic Rock |date= October 25, 2016 |access-date= October 1, 2018 |url= http://ultimateclassicrock.com/zz-top-2017-tour/}}</ref> but canceled the last few dates due to Hill's declining health.<ref>{{cite web|first= Matthew |last= Wilkening |title= ZZ Top Cancel Remaining 2017 Tour Dates |website= Ultimate Classic Rock |date= October 17, 2017 |access-date= October 1, 2018 |url= http://ultimateclassicrock.com/zz-top-cancel-2017-tour/}}</ref> In 2018, the band announced their six-day Las Vegas run of shows to be held at [[The Venetian Las Vegas|the Venetian]], starting from April 20, 2019.<ref>{{cite web|title= ZZ Top returning to Venetian in 2019 |publisher= [[KTNV-TV]] |date= September 24, 2018 |access-date= October 1, 2018 |url= https://www.ktnv.com/positivelylv/zz-top-returning-to-venetian-in-2019}}</ref> Gibbons told ''[[Las Vegas Review-Journal]]'' in April 2020 that ZZ Top had been preparing another album.<ref>{{cite news |last=Katsilometes |first=John |date=April 20, 2020 |title=Billy Gibbons says ZZ Top 'cooking up' new album |newspaper=[[Las Vegas Review-Journal]] |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/entertainment-columns/kats/billy-gibbons-says-zz-top-cooking-up-new-album-2010400/ |access-date=May 9, 2020}}</ref> On June 21, 2020, Gibbons stated interest in having Beck appear.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kielty |first=Martin |date=June 21, 2020 |title=New ZZ Top Album Could Contain Song They Started 50 Years Ago |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/zz-top-new-album-old-song/ |access-date=July 4, 2020 |website=[[Ultimate Classic Rock]]}}</ref>

===Hill's death and upcoming album (2021–present)===
In July 2021, Hill was forced to leave a tour after a hip injury. ZZ Top performed without him at the Village Commons in [[New Lenox, Illinois]], with Hill's [[guitar tech]] Elwood Francis on bass.<ref name="hill death">{{cite web|first= Matthew |last= Wilkening |title= Dusty Hill Insisted ZZ Top Not Break Up Following His Death |website= [[Ultimate Classic Rock]] |date= July 28, 2021 |access-date= July 28, 2021 |url= https://ultimateclassicrock.com/zz-top-not-breaking-up/}}</ref> Five days later, on July 28, ZZ Top announced that Hill had died at his home in Houston at the age of 72.<ref>{{cite magazine|first= Andy |last= Greene |title= ZZ Top Bassist Dusty Hill Dead at 72 |magazine= [[Rolling Stone]] |date= July 28, 2021 |access-date= July 28, 2021 |url= https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/zz-top-bassist-dusty-hill-dead-obit-1203694/}}</ref> His wife later reported that he had suffered from chronic [[bursitis]].<ref>{{cite news|title= Dusty Hill's Widow Thanks Fans for Their Support Following ZZ Top Bassist's Death |publisher= [[Blabbermouth.net]] |date= August 3, 2021 |access-date= August 3, 2021 |quote= Early Wednesday morning my world and yours would lose a great musician and I would lose my greatest love. He woke me up and we talked and as he was sweetly chatting with me he suddenly stopped and he was gone in an instant. |url= https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/dusty-hills-widow-thanks-fans-for-their-support-following-zz-top-bassists-death/}}</ref> At Hill's request, ZZ Top continued with Francis on bass.<ref name="hill death"/> In August 2021, Gibbons confirmed that Hill had recorded bass and vocals for the band's upcoming sixteenth studio album prior to his death.<ref>{{cite web|first= Kevin |last= Johnson |title= Dusty Hill's Bass and Vocals Will Be on Next ZZ Top Album |website= No Treble |date= August 7, 2021 |access-date= August 9, 2021 |url= https://www.notreble.com/buzz/2021/08/07/dusty-hills-bass-and-vocals-will-be-on-next-zz-top-album/}}</ref>

On July 22, 2022, ZZ Top released ''Raw'', the soundtrack for the band's 2019 documentary ''That Little Ol' Band from Texas'', via [[Shelter Records]]/[[BMG Rights Management|BMG]]. It was one of their final live albums with Hill.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/zz-top-announce-new-live-album-raw-and-share-2022-tour-details |title=ZZ Top Raw live album and new tour announced &#124; Louder |publisher=Loudersound.com |date=2022-03-08 |accessdate=2022-08-02}}</ref> On July 21, 2023, ZZ Top began a tour with [[Lynyrd Skynyrd]], the [[Sharp Dressed Simple Man Tour]], in [[West Palm Beach]], which concluded on September 17 in [[Camden, New Jersey|Camden]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top - Freedom Mortgage Pavilion Camden, NJ - Tickets, information, reviews |url=https://www.philadelphia-theater.com/shows/freedom-mortgage-pavilion/lynyrd-skynyrd-and-zz-top |access-date=2025-04-01 |website=www.philadelphia-theater.com}}</ref> A second leg of the tour began in March 2024 in [[Savannah, Georgia]], and was due to end on September 22 in [[Ridgefield, Washington]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Kevin |date=2023-11-06 |title=ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd Announce "Sharp Dressed Simple Man" 2024 Tour Dates |url=https://www.notreble.com/buzz/2023/11/06/zz-top-and-lynyrd-skynyrd-announce-sharp-dressed-simple-man-2024-tour-dates/ |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=No Treble |language=en-US}}</ref> On March 2, 2024, in [[Key West, FL|Key West]], ZZ Top embarked on the Elevation tour due to continue through November 24, 2024, in [[Lubbock, TX|Lubbock]].<ref name="https://www.zztop.com/tour ">{{cite web |url=https://www.zztop.com/tour |title=Tour |date= July 2024 |website=www.zztop.com |accessdate= 22 July 2024}}</ref> In March 2025, Beard temporarily left the tour due to illness, and was replaced by ZZ Top's longtime drum technician, John Douglas.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kreps |first=Daniel |date=2025-03-15 |title=ZZ Top's Frank beard stepping away from band's tour due to 'health issue' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/zz-top-frank-beard-stepping-away-tour-health-issue-1235297249/ |access-date=2025-03-31 |website=[[Rolling Stone]] |language=en-US}}</ref>