ZZ Top is an American blues rock band formed in 1969 in Houston, Texas. The group members are Billy Gibbons (guitar, lead vocals, harmonica), Dusty Hill (bass, vocals), and Frank Beard (drums, percussion); will close the Rockpalast-Nacht on April 19th and 20th, 1980, with a special climax. The appearance of this 'Little Old Band From Texas' has many special features. For one, this is the very first appearance of this group outside of the USA. For another, Z Z Top has accepted an offer for a TV concert for the first time. Z Z Top is a three-man band from Houston, Texas. It was formed in 1970 by guitarist and singer, Billy Gibbons. Musical models for Z Z Top were, on the one hand, the then successful trios like 'Jimi Hendrix Experience', or 'Cream'; and, on the other hand, black musicians like Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon and John Lee Hooker.
After problems in the beginning (the group gladly tells about the complete concert that they gave in the beginning for a single fan somewhere in southwestern Texas), Z Z Top became the most popular band in Texas with their straight music until 1972, and not seldomly played open-air concerts for upwards from 30,0 visitors. Under the titel 'Taking Texas to the World', Z Z Top undertook a US tour in 1976. The band brought along their own stage, in the form of the state of Texas, a buffalo, rattlesnakes, and different other attractions which they managed. Untill today, this tour is the most successful of any rock band in the USA. There will be no animals at Z Z Top's appearance at the Rockpalast-Nacht on April 19th and 20th, 1980. The group will present top quality blues, boogie and rock'n'roll on the stage in the Grugahalle and will also see to it that there's a lot to see. Motto: "Let's boogie till the cows come out" - or: "We want to dance till the cows wake up".