What better way to catch some ZZZZZZs than with ZZ Top! These guys have been rockin' non-stop since 1970, and let me just say that........... they've STILL got it! Try to count out how many bands you know of that have been around for over 35 years.. OK, now when you're done coming up with that list, take those bands and separate out how many have had the SAME members through all that time- I can assure you, it's a SHORT list.. and ZZ Top is on it. Billy Gibbons was sure to make mention of this rare trait as well- he introduced the band as "the same... 3 members.... playing the same... 3... chords". It was hilarious. This was my first time seeing ZZ in person, but before I go through all that detail, here's what the happy trio was kind enough to play for us tonight: Set List: Gimme
All Your Lovin' (
fan
vid ) additional fan vids:
Aside from a GREAT show, I was also privileged to be "seated" (will explain shortly) next to some great folks through the night at APG- upon arrival at 4:30PM, I spent some time talking with a man and his son from Havre De Grace, MD. This was going to be the son's first concert ever- what better way to start that tradition than with ZZ Top! A good choice in my book. I was introduced to this band decades ago, thanks to a little thing you might know as............ MTV. The channel originally catered to young teens, and I remember ZZ Top being an instant hit with a young motorhead like me- sweet music, hot chicks and... killer cars- what else was there in life? When the gates opened at 6PM, a man to whom I will refer as AirForce1, and his wife, were to my right- we stuck together for the duration, until heading for our cars after 11. AF1 helped nurse me through the Blind Melon set with a complimentary Budweiser (thanks AF1!!)- the band wasn't bad mind you, but I was there to see ZZ.. To my left was a man who I'll refer to as Maiden Man, because not too long ago he'd just checked out Iron Maiden at the Susquehanna Bank Center (formerly the Tweeter). He and his fiancée were regular concert-goers, and were attending the show because his fiancée was a huge ZZ fan. Great people, and beforethedarktimes.com thanks you for the great conversation and band critiques! This particular event will always be a memorable for me, mainly because just finding your "seat" was an experience in itself! Seating at Aberdeen Proving Ground consists of a field, grass, and whatever "seat" you brought with you- if you brought a fold-up chair, you're golden.. if not, the result is obvious: your @$$ is on the grass.. The audience consisted of an age range of approximately 5 to 50ish, and all of us were literally 'penned' behind PVC fencing until 6PM.. as the time neared 6PM, you could hear people throwing out theories on which side of the "pen" was going to be opened first, and how certain individuals should get to go first because of their time of arrival. As the security guards walked up towards the fence, I felt like one of the horses at the gates of the Kentucky Derby; all I needed was a feed bag slapped on my face. When Security opened the gates, it looked like the Buffalo hunting scene out of Dances With Wolves- We all ran like mad to find our place in front of the stage- keep in mind that many of the folks, while waiting for the 6PM gate opening, had already had enough time to down 2-3 beers.. knowing that piece of info should help you visualize in your mind what it was like to watch these people running with their chairs, blankets, kids, you name it. Long story short, it was a priceless moment.. Blackberry Smoke started at 7PM, and played until 7:30. One of the songs they played is apparently on the Nascar08 video game. Overall, a good band- the crowd seemed to like them alot. There was a fight during the Blind Melon set, between a woman in what looked like her 40s and a man who looked he'd been a roadie for Hendrix.. the cause of the fight is unknown, but it resulted in the woman being ejected before ZZ Top even went on- so, I hope she was there just to see Blackberry Smoke or Blind Melon! Blind Melon played for about an hour, with one of the last songs in their set of course being: NO RAIN. The new singer did a really good job, especially covering No Rain for the late Shannon Hoon. The funny part is, God must have been in the bathroom during that song, because 2 songs into the ZZ Top set, he decided to give us the rain shower that had been looming for about 3 hours prior to ZZ coming on. Nonetheless, ZZ played on without pause- the show was excellent, the band was in good spirits, and their performance was nothing less than ZZ grade! Below are some of the highlights of the show: Legs: the infamous white fuzzy guitars came out Tube
Snake Boogie: Billy asked the audience to help in finishing
ZZ TOP Chant: before the band hit the stage, and throughout
The stage was decorated with chrome Corvette exhaust covers for mic stands, accompanied by what looked like 6 to 8 stacks of amps which doubled as receivers for light graphics patterns as well. The white guitar Billy first came out with even lit up in the dark, which just added more FLASH to the already-wicked ZZ Top presence. Frank Beard's drum kit was purple but sported what looked like V-Twin engines on the bass drums, in front of a yellow background. A beautiful kit I might add. The band took a short break after Legs, and the stage went dark- when they returned they were holding black guitar and bass to continue on with the gig. These guys definitely have their act together, and are a real treat to see live. If you get a chance this summer, definitely make some time to add them to your Summer Events list. When I die, I want to be allowed to join ZZ Top. -Jim
|
