Welcome to Band Name Origins Week, where we’re digging into the weird, wonderful, and often surprising stories behind some of the most iconic names in music. First up: the unmistakable, unshakable kings of Texas boogie rock—ZZ Top.
ZZ Top formed in Houston, Texas, in 1969, bringing together guitarist and frontman Billy Gibbons, bassist Dusty Hill, and drummer Frank Beard (yes, the one who famously didn’t have a beard). Their sound—a blend of blues grit, southern swagger, and rock ‘n’ roll edge—would become as recognizable as their long beards and sunglasses. For 51 years, the trio remained unchanged, right up until Hill’s death in 2021, making them the longest-running band with an unchanged lineup in music history. That consistency wasn’t just behind the scenes—they carried it into their live shows, which were legendary for their humor, energy, and just enough eccentricity.
Let’s rewind to 1969. Gibbons’ previous band, Moving Sidewalks, had just broken up. He and his new bandmates were holed up in a small apartment plastered with concert posters. Many of the acts had names with initials—B.B. King and Z.Z. Hill caught Gibbons’ eye. He considered “ZZ King” as a name, a tribute to both artists, but it felt too close to “B.B. King.”
Then, inspiration hit: “King is at the top…” And just like that, ZZ Top was born.
ZZ Top signed with London Records within a year of forming and released their debut, ZZ Top’s First Album, in 1971. By the mid-70s, they had built a loyal following, thanks to their killer live act and Texas-sized personality.
But it was the early 1980s that turned them into household names. With the release of Eliminator (1983) and Afterburner (1985), ZZ Top embraced a more modern, MTV-friendly sound—adding new wave and dance-rock influences to their bluesy core. The result? Mega-hits like “Sharp Dressed Man”, “Legs”, and “Gimme All Your Lovin’”, all fueled by flashy, unforgettable music videos (some choreographed by a then-unknown Paula Abdul).
From their Super Bowl XXXI halftime performance with the Blues Brothers and James Brown, to their 2004 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction (introduced by none other than Keith Richards), ZZ Top became woven into the fabric of American music history.
After Dusty Hill’s passing in 2021, the band honored his wishes by continuing on with longtime guitar tech Elwood Francis on bass. Now, more than 50 million albums sold and 15 studio records later, ZZ Top is still packing venues on their Elevation Tour, with dates running through November 2025. (Heads up, Upstate NY fans—Binghamton and Albany stops are coming in late September!)
Stay tuned this week as we uncover the stories behind even more iconic band names—some clever, some ridiculous, and some totally accidental.