ZZ Top’s First Album

According to Billy Gibbons, “It was recorded when we first formed, in 1970, and wrapped up by about March 1970. I had assembled a personal catalog, which fortunately became what we called the band catalog when Dusty [Hill, bass] and Frank [Beard, drums] entered the picture. The only thing that kept us going on that first album was the fact that we had the opportunity to release a record on the same label as the Rolling Stones [London Records]. I’m serious—that was it! But we remained true to the core: it was 12-bar blues or bust. The playing was there, the tempo was good, and it’s very bluesy. I listened to it recently for the first time in a while and said, ‘Man, we sure were bluesy.’ It’s a period kind of sound.

ZZ Top: From A to ZZ — guitarworld

As ZZ Top ready their 15th studio album, Billy Gibbons looks back on 40 years of classic albums from that little ol' band from Texas. ZZ Top's First Album (January 1971) "It was recorded when we first formed, in 1970, and wrapped up by about March 1970.