ZZ Top are currently touring North America with their new album Raw coming out on July 22nd. Good news: new music could already be in the works.
After the death of bassist Dusty Hill, guitar tech Elwood Francis took over. That’s what Hill wanted before he died. New music with Elwood is planned – and would be an “interesting excursion into the unknown,” said ZZ Top frontman Billy Gibbons in an interview with “Ultimate Classic Rock”. “We’re a band that mixes the old with the new,” Gibbons explained.
Doing the tour without Hill is not easy. Gibbons, however, praised Elwood. He managed to get Hill to be present in spirit. “Elwood grabbed Dusty’s hat and put it on the mic and made sure there was a point of reference,” Gibbons recalled.
“Return to the Roots”
“Raw” will be released just days before the anniversary of Dusty Hill’s death, which will mark the first anniversary on July 28, 2022. Billy Gibbons and drummer Frank Beard describe the recording process of “Raw,” which was recorded in just one day, as “a totally honest return to our roots.”
Jake Mann and Gary Moon were the sound engineers. Ryan Hewitt mixed “Raw”. The album will be released as a heavyweight vinyl edition (180g), CD and in digital form.