Phoenix Tickets Finder

Classic rockers ZZ Top have a show scheduled at the Dodge Theatre in April. I’ve always sort of thought this band was the hard rock equivalent of A Flock of Seagulls — known more for their hair than anything else. But they did have some hits and seem to have a solid fan base. Their wikipedia article says this:

ZZ Top is an American blues rock band formed in 1969 in Houston, Texas. The group members are Billy Gibbons (guitar and vocals), Dusty Hill (bass guitar and vocals), and Frank Beard (drums). They hold the distinction of being one of the few rock groups still composed of its original members after more than 35 years, and until September 2006, the same manager/producer, Bill Ham.

They reached the peak of their commercial success in the 1970s and 1980s, scoring many hit songs during that era; but they remain together today and are still touring and releasing albums. ZZ Top was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 15, 2004. Summarizing their music, Cub Koda wrote, “As genuine roots musicians, they have few peers; 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.”[1] Their song lyrics often feature sexual innuendo and humor.

Gibbons and Hill are also famous for their nostalgic guitars, many of which were co-designed with master luthier John Bolin of Bolin Guitars.

Nearly as well-known as their music is the group’s appearance: Gibbons and Hill are always pictured wearing sunglasses (a nod to their 1979 song “Cheap Sunglasses”), similar (if not matching) clothing, and their trademark chest-length beards while, perhaps ironically, Beard sports a mustache but not a beard. In 1984, the Gillette Company reportedly offered Gibbons and Hill US$1 million apiece to shave their beards for a television commercial, but they declined.[1]

The origin of the band’s name was not officially known for many years. Some theories included: the two brands of rolling paper, Zig-Zag and Top; a tribute to blues legend Z. Z. Hill; Z-shaped barn-door braces Gibbons once saw at a farm; and/or Billy Gibbons seeing the two words running together on a dilapidated bill board. The real origin, as told by Billy Gibbons and also recorded in his new book (Rock + Roll Gearhead), is derived from the name of blues master B.B. King. They wanted to call themselves Z.Z. King, but that sounded too similar to their blues legend hero. They figured that “King” was at the “top” so thus settled on ZZ Top.

If you are having trouble finding tickets to this show at the Dogde Theater box office here is where you should look for after market tickets:

1. AIW Tickets always has a great inventory and usually has the cheapest prices too.

2. Stubhub is an excellent place to shop online as well. They’ll even let you sell your tickets there.

3. TicketsNow is also a solid after market ticket vendor and usually has access the hard to find tickets

4. If those aren’t cutting it for you try a couple of these ticket vendors as well:

Good luck with your hunt.