Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Five Minutes, Five Questions
Billy F. Gibbons ZZ Top
That Little Ol’ Band From Texas” — rockers Billy F. Gibbons, Dusty Hill and Frank Beard, better known as ZZ Top — return to the Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion tonight to show Northwest Arkansas another good time. The trio of blues rockers still consists of the same three members the band had more than four decades ago when it formed — no small feat for a group of any size. The last time ZZ Top rolled through town, they played at the AMP’s temporary location at the Washington County Fairgrounds, one year after the release of their 15th studio album (and first release in nine years) “La Futura.” Gibbons (guitar/lead vocals) took a few moments out from the group’s Tonnage Tour to answer these questions for What’s Up! before tonight’s show.
Q. How do you keep playing the same songs together for this many years still fresh?
A. They’re new for us each and every night. When we take the stage, it’s like a “first time” all over again. The spark between us reignites and gins up a wave of internal excitement. It’s a party up on deck, and that brings us to look forward to the next shindig.
Q. What do you focus on in your music and your performance now versus early in your career? How has that changed and/or stayed the same?
A. Survival was the focus early on. Are we going to get to the gig on time? Is the truck going to break down? Will the sound system be up to the task? These days, the band’s focus is about nuance — the spaces between phrases, the exchange between the three of us. We’re getting downright sophisticated about this after all these decades and bashing it out.
Q. Is there anything — about the music, the fans, the industry — that still surprises you?
A. Of course. Over time we can truthfully say, “we’ve seen it all.” Yet, then again, up jumps something unexpected around the corner. We met a crew of Harley-riding cats in the wilds of Macedonia, on the outskirts of Skopje, a few years ago. They asked us to follow them, which seemed like an offer we couldn’t very well refuse, so off we go. We were led to the official residence of Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, who was glad to see us. Quite unplanned and quite the surprise.
Q. What is the live experience like for the fans? Is it still a different show every time they see you?
A. Hard to say — we’ve yet to see a ZZ Top show. The aim is to “be the best ZZ Top we can be.” The enthusiasm of those we get to play to — all generations — seems to indicate we’ve succeeded on many levels. As we say, it’s a party where everybody’s invited.
Q. When you were starting out, did you imagine ZZ Top could become what it is today in the blues/rock ‘n’ roll landscape?
A. Well, there’s no way we could have anticipated what’s unfolded over these four-plus decades but, back in those early days, the definition of “the future” was checking out the next stop for Mexican cuisine. Hot sauce!