ZZ Top - Preliminator 1980 (Vinyl)

ZZ Top is an American rock band formed in 1969 in Houston, Texas.

The band were formed by former The Moving Sidewalks members Billy Gibbons and drummer Dan Mitchell with bassist Lanier Greig, which form they recorded debut single . Mitchell and Greig were then almost immediately replaced by former American Blues drummer Frank Beard and Billy Etheridge respectively, finalising their classic line-up when Dusty Hill, another former member of American Blues, replaced Etheridge in February 1970, shortly before the band was signed to London Records. Etheridge's departure issued primarily from his unwillingness to be bound by a recording contract.

The band's classic line-up of Gibbons, Hill and Beard were together for a total of 51 years, from 1970 to 2021. Bassist Dusty Hill died on July 28, 2021, and was replaced (at his request) by the band's bass technician Elwood Francis. Drummer Frank Beard died on August 17, 2026; he had retired from the touring line-up in 2025 due to health reasons, and has been substituted by touring drummers John Douglas and Michael Monahan.

Since the release of the band's debut album in January 1971, ZZ Top has become known for its strong blues roots and humorous lyrical motifs, relying heavily on double entendres and innuendo. ZZ Top's musical style has changed over the years, beginning with blues-inspired rock on their early albums, then incorporating New Wave, punk rock and dance-rock, with heavy use of synthesizers.

ZZ Top was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. As a group, ZZ Top possesses 11 gold records and 7 platinum (13 multi-platinum) records; their 1983 album, Eliminator, remains the group's most commercially successful record, selling over 10 million units. ZZ Top also ranks 80th in U.S. album sales, with 25 million units.

Source: Discogs