ZZ Top 9/12/26

I had liked ZZ Top since seeing them on MTV in the 80's.  My dad had liked them since hearing them in the 70s.  For over 50 years they were one of the most well known blues rock groups, one of the most successful southern rock groups, and one of the most consistent lineups with founding vocalist-guitarist Billy Gibbons, bassist-vocalist Dusty Hill, and drummer Frank Beard. Hill passed in 2021 and longtime guitar tech Elwood Francis took over bass duties. Since 2025 Michael Monahan had been in and out of the lineup as Frank Beard had health issues, but it wasn't but a couple of weeks before I would see them that Frank Beard died at 77 years old. They resumed shows on August 22 where Billy said it was Frank's wish that the band continue on. I saw them on ss and suprisingly Billy didn't mention Frank at all. He didn't talk a lot, but he did have some anecdotes about songs, shouted out the other players in the band, and thanked the fans for supporting them all these years.  When I saw they were playing locally on a Saturday, I knew I had to go while Billy and Elwood were still alive and kicking.

The show I went to was at Mohegan Sun Arena and I know they like to start on time so I took my seat at about 7:30 for an 8:00 ticket time and there was an unannounced opener already playing!  Kelli Baker played acoustic guitar in front of a banner that said "Who the Hell is Kelli Baker" with a guy accompanying her on electric bass.  She did a bunch of covers which she added her own style to including Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues," Duffy' "Mercy," and Allman Brother's "Whipping Post". She had a great voice that was equal parts pretty and powerful.  I was lucky I made her set because I could have easily missed it. 

Next came George Thorogood who I had seen three times before, all at the Wellmont Theater.  I didn't expect a lot because he is not getting any younger, but he brought the energy and performance for an hour set playing all hits including Who Do You Love, Mama Talk to Your Daughter, Night Time, Madison Blues, One Bourbon One Scotch One Beer, Gear Jammer, “For sophisticated rockers” Get a Haircut, and the classic Bad To the Bone.  The only thing I was missing was "Move It On Over" which he often opens with.  However, he sounded good and the saxophone player was great.  They really got the and the blues rock jams pumping and the crowd moving from the front row to the upper deck.  I enjoyed the slide guitar on Gear Jammer and all of the songs in the set.  There was a 30 minute break before the headliner.  After a restroom stop and drink refill, I was ready for ZZ Top.

I'll start with the bad. There was no mention of Dusty or the recent passing of Frank. The didn't play Tush. There was no pyrotechnics. It was an older crowd so it was not as lively as it could have been. Now as for the music, they sounded fantastic. Beginning at 9:30PM, Elwood played an 18 string guitar on the first song which was "Under Pressure". Then came a pink bass for Elwood and pink guitar for Billy on a very soulful version of "I Thank You." Without a lot of banter they tore through "Waiting for the Bus, Jesus Just Left Chicago, Gimme All Your Loving, and Pearl Necklace". It was not sold out and some of the people in front of me left early, so I moved down a few rows to the front of the balcony. Then came ,"I'm Bad I'm Nationwide, I Gotsta Get Paid, which sounded really heavy, some cool palm muting in "My Head's in Mississippi" and some lyric changes to Connecticut, new Billy solo song Brown Paper Bag, Cheap Sunglasses, black guitar with slide soloing and bass guitar hybrid with a Thrasher sticker and some thunder bass notes on Just Got Paid, Sharp Dressed Man, and then the fuzzy guitars and Thorogood on maracas for "Legs." They left the stage before returning for an encore consisting of Brown Sugar (from ZZ Top's First Album), Tube Snake Boogie, Thunderbird, and closing with La Grange. Billy did thank the openers and the crowd. He made a few mentions of CT and his current band members, but other than that didn't say a whole lot. I thoroughly enjoyed the set though. I am very glad to have seen them with Billy still sounding great and in the excellent venue of Mohegan Sun Arena. I didn't get to check off ACDC, Dave Matthews, or Bruce Springsteen from the bucket list, but I had a great summer for concerts that rejuvenated my spirit.

All photos taken by me on September 12, 2026