Billy Gibbons tells us although ZZ Top has made many trips around the world, that "Little ol' Band from Texas" still loves to come to Kalamazoo.

Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill and Frank Beard played their first public concert together at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Beaumont, Texas, on February 10, 1970. Up until everything came to a grinding halt in 2020, the band was still gigging around the globe. On October 30, 2019, ZZ Top played Wings Event Center on their 50th anniversary tour.

Kalamazoo! We love saying 'Kalamazoo.' I've been saying it, [points at Dusty] he's been saying it- we've all been saying it...Kalamazoo! Just one thing: we're going to add another "Z."

-Billy Gibbons

These were the first words out of Gibbons' mouth as his band took the stage at Wings Event Center. Even 50 years on, ZZ Top delivered a top-notch evening of Texas boogie. See for yourself in this fan-shot video of "Just Got Paid." A deep cut from their 1972 album Rio Grande Mud, this jam stretches out to almost 7 minutes with Billy Gibbons taking the lead on slide guitar, Dusty Hill laying down the groove on bass and drummer Frank Beard (you knew they guy without a beard had a last name of "Beard," right?) keeping time. The lyrics aren't much but the playing is exemplary.

Rock on, KalamaZZoo

If you're reading this the week of May 15, 2021, don't miss ZZ Top headlining Live in Concert Saturday night at 8 on RKR. You'll hear songs from a hometown show in Texas during the 2007 "Hollywood Blues" tour. Support this week from David Gilmour, Grand Funk Railroad and Allman Brothers Band on Live in Concert.

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