ZZ Top

[DolfanBob]

I just heard a commercial for the band playing at the Hard Rock in September.
Now dont get me wrong but has ZZ Top moved here ?
The last two years I believe they have been here at least four times.
I remember them playing at The Spitit Event Center, Rocklahoma, Opening at the BOK and now headlining at The Hard Rock.
I like their music but how many times can you hit a market and still make a profit ?

[Conan71]

I suspect that's their main source of income these days.  Must be humbling to go from headlining Texas Stadium to playing Indian smoke shops.

[guido911]

IIRC they were at the Buffalo Run Casino in Miami a couple of times in the past several years.

[BKDotCom]

If Tulsa radio (all Eagles, all ZZ-Top, all the time) is any indication, they won't have any trouble filling up the joint.

[heironymouspasparagus]

They have come full circle.  They used to play here occasionally in the 70's in very small places.  I think they were at the Cain's once before becoming big.

Still love 'em!

Just ain't gonna go to a smoke-hole-septic-pit to watch them.

[guido911]

They have come full circle.  They used to play here occasionally in the 70's in very small places.  I think they were at the Cain's once before becoming big.

Still love 'em!

Just ain't gonna go to a smoke-hole-septic-pit to watch them.

Then see them at Buffalo Run at their outdoor "arena".

[dbacks fan]

Just my take, the Indian Casino network is a good way for ZZ Top and others to reach markets that they did not reach before since they can go to areas that were not on the major tour areas. And yes it's steady income for them and it gives them a chance to do what they do best. It's also not just 80's rock groups, Travis Tritt will be performing at the Mill Casino in Coos Bay in a week or so, and others from the rock and country genre are on the small venue, Indian Casino tour, and as I said they are reaching markets where the haven't performed before, but they are reaching audiences that may not have seen them before. Is this any different from major entertainers, Elvis, Bobby Darrin, The Rat Pack, Smokey Robinson, and others doing the Vegas show thing? Whether you go or not doesn't matter, ther are people that will go. JMO it's a change from the big tours, to reach areas that they didn't go to before, and the artistst can do what they do best.

[DolfanBob]

Your right DBack. I have no problem with bands doing the casino tour. My question was why would a band, In this case ZZ Top. Play four times in the same City(area) in a two year span ? Im sure that their booking agent has a map. Or Alzheimer's.

P.S. I saw ZZ Top on their "World Wide Texas Tour" back in the early 70s. They have been here.

[Conan71]

Just my take, the Indian Casino network is a good way for ZZ Top and others to reach markets that they did not reach before since they can go to areas that were not on the major tour areas. And yes it's steady income for them and it gives them a chance to do what they do best. It's also not just 80's rock groups, Travis Tritt will be performing at the Mill Casino in Coos Bay in a week or so, and others from the rock and country genre are on the small venue, Indian Casino tour, and as I said they are reaching markets where the haven't performed before, but they are reaching audiences that may not have seen them before. Is this any different from major entertainers, Elvis, Bobby Darrin, The Rat Pack, Smokey Robinson, and others doing the Vegas show thing? Whether you go or not doesn't matter, ther are people that will go. JMO it's a change from the big tours, to reach areas that they didn't go to before, and the artistst can do what they do best.

Of course it's a great deal for the bands!  Guys like Dick Dale can still get a $10,000 booking at a casino whereas if he's playing 200 person night clubs he can only sell enough covers to earn $3000 to $4000 for the night.  I don't do the smokey casino thing though so I'm not in the demographic who will go.

I don't begrudge casinos their success, or a band's need to make a living, or simply to keep playing because that's what the members enjoy most.  It's just such a startling contrast to see ZZ Top playing at places like the Spank in Bixby, opening for Tom Petty in an 18,000 seat venue vs. the days they could pack football stadiums as a headliner.

[dbacks fan]

Of course it's a great deal for the bands!  Guys like Dick Dale can still get a $10,000 booking at a casino whereas if he's playing 200 person night clubs he can only sell enough covers to earn $3000 to $4000 for the night.  I don't do the smokey casino thing though so I'm not in the demographic who will go.

I don't begrudge casinos there success, or a band's need to make a living, or simply to keep playing because that's what the members enjoy most.  It's just such a startling contrast to see ZZ Top playing at places like the Spank in Bixby, opening for Tom Petty in an 18,000 seat venue vs. the days they could pack football stadiums as a headliner.

It's a case of that was then, this is now. Also I think they have more fun playing the smaller venues, it takes them back to their roots so to speak, and there are enough of us boomers out there that want to have that experience again. Although I do agree, I have long since gotten passed the smokey smoke filled place. Haven't had time to check out the casino in Coos Bay, actually no real need to, but just to have a look see. But most of my concert days are behind me.

[heironymouspasparagus]

Then see them at Buffalo Run at their outdoor "arena".

May just have to wait until they go to the Buffalo Chip Picnic again.  Two great events at once!  Sturgis AND ZZ Top!!

[dbacks fan]

The sad thing is the fact that most groups are no longer the groups that we grew up with. Styx, Foreigner, The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Lover Boy, Def Leppard, and others are not the same. At least ZZ Top is the same group more than 30 years later. No one has left, they are the group now that they were in the 70's.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYjSiXutRWA

[RecycleMichael]

The sad thing is the fact that most groups are no longer the groups that we grew up with.

I once hired the Mamas and the Papas and got the Aunts and the Uncles.

[Hoss]

The sad thing is the fact that most groups are no longer the groups that we grew up with. Styx, Foreigner, The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Lover Boy, Def Leppard, and others are not the same. At least ZZ Top is the same group more than 30 years later. No one has left, they are the group now that they were in the 70's.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYjSiXutRWA

Not near as tough to keep the same lineup when there are only three of you...

And yes, Eliminator was on my listen list back in high school.  Who could forgot those videos and that car?

And it always cracked me up that the only guy without the beard had a last name of Beard...