Watching the band soundcheck earlier in the day, it was also obvious that – for all their newfound pop smarts – the trio had lost none of their blistering blues-based power. When the Eliminator tour hit London’s Hammersmith Odeon in November 1983, the backstage bar looked like a ‘Who’s Who’ of modern rock music, with Thin Lizzy leader Phil Lynott and Lemmy holding court. While their first album garnered a strong local following, it was their second effort, Rio Grande Mud, that saw them reach a national audience, the album’s only single, the hard-driving Francine, showcasing Dusty’s ability to add to the band’s uproarious party vibe by blending his backing vocal perfectly with Billy’s lead. In Dusty and Frank it was also evident that the guitarist had recruited players who were genuinely kindred spirits.ĭusty’s contribution to the trio’s success was immeasurable and evident from their opening salvo, ZZ Top’s First Album, released in 1971, his role as a songwriter and as a singer growing as the band developed their trademarked boogie sound further. Having already released one single prior to Dusty and Frank’s arrival, Billy began to refine the band’s sound, creating an earthier, more stripped-down approach and adding a large dose of humour to their lyrics. Despite their local success, American Blues elected to move to Houston in late ’68 where Rocky soon left the band and where Dusty and Frank would join fellow psych-blues adventurer and ex-Moving Sidewalks guitarist Billy Gibbons in his new band ZZ Top.
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