Is ZZ Top Really The Oldest Rock Band From The State Of Texas
Texas' legacy in rock history is long and proud but who is truly the "oldest" Texas rock band?
There have been a ton of rock bands from Texas but not all of them made it to the proverbial "top". For a look at some up and comers from right here in the Borderland, past and present, search "local band vol" at KLAQ.com.
Getting back to Texas rockers, Texas' musical legacy goes WAY back in the country, blues, western swing and jazz genres but the first "rock" musicians don't really pop up until the '50's with acts like Buddy Holly and "The Big Bopper" ruling the record charts.
As the 1960's began, an El Pasoan named Bobby Fuller set the rock world on fire with "I Fought The Law". From there, things really began to take off for home grown rockers.
Throughout the 60's, many bands emerged from the lone star state including acts like the Sir Douglas Quintet, Sam The Sham and The Pharaohs, psychedelic/acid rockers like the 13th Floor Elevators and a member of America's answer to The Beatles ... Mike Nesmith of The Monkees ... showed up as well.
Around 1966, The Moving Sidewalks appeared with a blues loving guitarist named Billy Gibbons. (This is what's called "foreshadowing"...)
The 70's and 80's ... and beyond ... saw the emergence of Texas artists doing punk, metal, industrial, alternative and, of course, Texas proudly claims groove metal pioneers, Pantera.
You name the genre, Texas artists have a strong presence in it and many of those bands have been at it a LONG time. As far as I can tell though, the band that can claim the "oldest in Texas" title can also claim to have had the longest surviving band lineup.
Yep, it is indeed that "little 'ol band from Texas", ZZ Top.
Formed in 1969 by the aforementioned Billy Gibbons; ZZ Top had the same lineup until the death of bassist Dusty Hill in 2021. The band plays on now with long time friend and crew member Elwood Francis in Dusty's place.
Just as Dusty himself wanted it.
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