That little 'ole band from Texas operated with the same lineup for over 50 years, from 1969 until bassist Dusty Hill passed away in 2021.

ZZ Top consisted of guitarist Billy Gibbons, bassist Dusty Hill and drummer Frank Beard. Ironically, Beard is the only band member that doesn't have a beard.

Even Dusty's replacement, longtime friend and guitar tech Elwood Francis, has a mega - beard.

Elwood stepped into Dusty's role as ZZ Tops bassist at Dusty's request but didn't grow his epic, totally ZZ beard in his honor. That came about thanks to the pandemic.

Fast forward to 2023 and ZZ Top are talking new music with both Dusty and Elwood.

Some of the new material was started with Dusty before he passed away, some will be done with Elwood and, amazingly, some will feature both.

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According to Billy Gibbons:

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." - blabbermouth

Along with that monster beard, (which Billy Gibbons claims is longer than his own), Elwood also has a monster, 17 string bass.

He doesn't play it all the time but, it's for real.

Elwood has been a part of the ZZ Top family since the early 90's.

He's also a legend in the rock world having served as a guitar tech for not only ZZ Top but also Joe Perry, Steve Vai, Izzy Stradlin, Gilby Clarke, Rich Robinson and more.

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