'ZZ Top' album cover, 'A Tribute From Friends' courtesy Todd Brodginski/Mitch Schneider: MSO
The music and legacy of ZZ Top –“That Little ol’ Band from Texas,” that has been part of the world’s musical landscape for over 40 years–will be celebrated with the October 11 release of A Tribute From Friends.
The album, to be released by Show Dog-Universal Music, features 11 classic ZZ Top songs interpreted by top-flight artists working in a broad range of musical genres.
All of the album’s tracks have been newly recorded, specifically for the project. These include Filter’s performance of Gimme All Your Lovin,” Grace Potter & The Nocturnals’ take on Tush, as well as Wyclef Jean’s Rough Boy, Legs from Nickelback and Wolfmother’s interpretation of Cheap Sunglasses.
The album kicks off with “Sharp Dressed Man,” from The M.O.B., Mick Fleetwood’s ad hoc group that includes fellow Fleetwood Mac founder John McVie as well as Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and guitar great Jonny Lang. Fleetwood commented, “We’re delighted to honor ZZ Top this way. Their legacy, like that of the original Fleetwood Mac, is steeped in the blues we all love so much. I know that Steven and Jonny feel as strongly about their legacy as John and I do.”
After Billy F Gibbons, Dusty Hill and Frank Beard, the original–and continuing–members of ZZ Top were informed that A Tribute From Friends was in the offing, they issued the following statement:
“When we were told there was going to be a ZZ Top tribute album a while ago and logically asked, ‘Who are we paying tribute to?’ Then we found out that a bunch of great artists were paying tribute to us and we were in disbelief. For the past 40 or so years, all we’ve done is get out there and crank it and try to have a good time while doing so. To a great extent, we’ve succeeded since we’re still having a good time so that would be reward enough for ‘the same three guys playing the same three chords.’ Now comes A Tribute From Friends and we’re so delighted that our music resonates with these great musicians whom we so admire.”
A Tribute From Friends also includes Waitin’ for the Bus/Jesus Just Left Chicago by Daughtry, Got Me Under Pressure from Duff McKagan’s LOADED and Mastodon’s version of Just Got Paid. Coheed & Cambria contributed the anthemic Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers while country superstar Jamey Johnson’s track is the seminal La Grange.
Of their invitation to be a part of the album, lead singer Chris Daughtry said, “We were completely honored! A classic great band with amazing songs? We’re in!” And of ZZ Top’s music, “It’s classic! Simple chord progressions, great riffs with hooky choruses…very inspiring to a band like us.”
The co-executive producer of is Carl Stubner, ZZ Top’s manager, who noted, A Tribute From Friends underscores the legacy of ZZ Top in the most musical way possible and illustrates just how important Billy, Dusty and Frank have been to successive generations. It was a privilege to work with the pantheon of brilliant artists who contributed their efforts and so much love to this project.”