ZZ Top frontman Billy Gibbons has revealed that the band is working on finishing up a new full length album by the end of this year. It will be the first studio album since 2012’s La Futura, and also since the 2021 passing of founding member, bassist Dusty Hill. The band had already began recording the album at the time of Hill’s passing, so fans will be excited to learn that it will feature a lot of his playing, along with new bass tracks recorded by his replacement, Elwood Francis. Francis has been touring with ZZ Top since Hill’s death and it was Hill’s request that he serve as the new bassist. 

“Dusty was a great guy, a swell singer. He provided a solid platform for me to solo without having to look back. He was always on it. Dusty used to say, ‘If I’m late to the stage, be sure to give my guitar to Elwood.’ Elwood is a family member; he’s been with us for three decades,” explained Gibbons in a recent interview with Classic Rock. “And sure enough, Elwood picked up the parts and pieces. But whereas Dusty played with his fingers, Elwood uses a pick. It’s a little sharper. He brings a little more finesse. And at the first rehearsal he showed up with a full beard longer than mine.”

“Are things coming to the boil yet? Yeah, in fact we are currently reviewing the tracks that deserve completion. Dusty is on some of those, so is Elwood. What’s fascinating is that we have three or four tracks with them both, they’re trading off. The only tell-tale difference is that Dusty, playing with his fingers, sounds a little warmer.”

ZZ Top is preparing to hit the road with Lynyrd Skynyrd for their “The Sharp Dressed Simple Man Tour”

Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top’s 2023 North American Tour Dates:

07/21 – West Palm Beach, FL @ iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre

07/23 – Alpharetta, GA @ Ameris Bank Amphitheatre

07/28 – Rogers, AR @ Walmart AMP

07/29 – Fort Worth, TX @ Dickies Arena

07/30 – Woodlands, TX @ The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman

08/07 – Denver, CO @ Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre

08/10 – Mountain View, CA @ Shoreline Amphitheatre

08/11 – Wheatland, CA @ Toyota Amphitheatre

08/13 – Phoenix, AZ @ Ak-Chin Pavilion

08/17 – Maryland Heights, MO @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre

08/19 – Tinley Park, IL @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre

08/20 – Noblesville, IN @ Ruoff Music Center

08/25 – Cincinnati, OH @ Riverbend Music Center

08/26 – Clarkston, MI @ Pine Knob Music Theatre

08/27 – Toronto, ON @ Budweiser Stage

09/01 – Charlotte, NC @ PNC Music Pavilion

09/02 – Columbia, MD @ Merriweather Post Pavilion

09/03 – Burgettstown, PA @ The Pavilion at Star Lake

09/08 – Saratoga Springs, NY @ Saratoga Performing Arts Center

09/09 – Hershey, PA @ Hersheypark Stadium

09/10 – Holmdel, NJ @ PNC Bank Arts Center

09/15 – Raleigh, NC @ Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek

09/17 – Camden, NJ @ Freedom Mortgage Pavilion

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