This is what I love about rock and roll. This is some guy who I just discovered a month ago who just sits in his room and talks but I could listen to him talk about his album rankings for hours on end and find it just as fulfilling and entertaining as watching a movie. That's how you know this is the best genre.
I'm first and foremost into Extreme Metal, especially Death Metal, but this channel motivates me to dig into classic rock/hard rock/heavy metal in a way I never did before. Two thumbs up.
agree with ya to me tejas is as good as any album with those cool grooves.a very underrated Z.Z.Top album.It's probably the album I play the most or close to.
As a teenager in the 80's video age, Eliminator was my introduction to ZZ Top. I went crazy for the band. I joined the ZZ Top fan club and started reading up on the history of the band. I decided to venture into the past of the band and discovered the early catalog and loved it. All this happened between the release of Eliminator and Afterburner. From there, nothing could compare to the 70's catalog.
I had just the same experience like you. As a european I was totally unaware of their earlier career before Eliminitor. And now I couldn't live without their early stuff
Yes, love this track. That's what I love about this band, they were able to go beyond the mere boogie rock. And each album has its own character. Unique band.
Thank you Pete for being apologetic about the use of those words. Most youtubers would have a "deal with it" attitude about it. That's a very respectful, honorable and humble response.
Another great ranking. I grew up on Eliminator and Afterburner and only got into the old stuff within the past few years. Found the 6 pack album that has the first 5 albums and the 7th. All amazing material. Definitely need to pick up more.
I know you disagree, Pete, but having listened to your favorite ZZ Top album, I still consider 'Rough Boy' to be their finest song. It's so honest and original and real. It's so beautiful and individual. I love this song.
Love all the ZZ Top stuff! As for the lengthier latter day albums, I don't mind em. Simply for the fact of how much time passes between most of the albums from veteran bands! Lol I'll take all I can get whenever I can get it! Gives me more to dig into until the next one arrives. 🤘
"Tres Hombres" is in my top 10 records of all time. Opening the record with that string of songs is freaking rare. I think maybe only the "Joshua Tree" did something like that. Incredible.
Watched many of your videos and dig them. I don't always agree but your perspective is always very interesting. You a lot when you talk, but that's a lot less annoying than people that say "y'know" every other word. Keep up the good work Pete!
I really enjoyed this video! Although, I"m a little late....3 years late. lol Couldn't agree with you more about Tres Hombres. It's my favorite ZZ Top album. All the songs are insanely great but Sheik is what really does it for me. Tres Hombres is a top 10 all time all around favorite of mine!...maybe even top 5. Great vid! Thanks!
1) Tres Hobres 2) Deguello 3) Fandango 4) Rio Grande Mud 5) Eliminator 6) Tejas 7) EL Loco 8) Rythymeen 9)LaFutura 10) First Album 11) Mescalero 12 ) Antenna 13)Recycler 14) Afterburner Just love zz top !!
Great review as usual. These reviews are making me dig out my copies and really enjoying them again. They're also costing me cash as I'm ordering something after every review!! 👍
They were in my collection since 1972 Rio Grande Mud and I went back to buy the first album that I had missed. So once again a band I grew up with and grew along with, so that is what fuels my assessments. And I agree with your notion that the CD age made them release albums that were too long. Their point was short excellent focused songs with that special guitar tone. 1. Tres Hombres (agree with every word you say, whoever sequenced the album was a genius, it builds and builds while starting at such a high level already...) 2. Tejas 3. First Album (I discovered the band with Rio Grande Mud and liked them so much I went immediately to buy their first one, and that was even better) 4. Deguello 5. Rio Grande Mud 6. Eliminator 7. El Loco 8. Fandango 9. Recycler 10. Afterburner 11. Antenna 12. Rhythmeen 13. Mescalero (Sorry, when guys get older they do the blues...slow blues...but I do not need ZZ Top for such stuff - same is true for Rhythmeen.) 14. La Futura 15. XXX
For me the first album is the tops by far. I grew up in the 70’s in the triangle between Houston, Dallas and Austin where this band emerged. The Moving Side Walks (precursor to ZZ Top) played at our High school prom. When that first album came out it perfectly encapsulated the very best of the Texas blues rock scene at that time and place.
Love your top 3. Unforgettable period for ZZ. Heard Tres Hombes before the first two but immediately added all 3 after seeing them as an opening band.This three man wrecking crew blew me away- the fastest guitar playing I had ever seen. They did a number that ended up counting to 1.2.3 BLOW YOUR TOP. Swore I could see smoke coming off Billy’s guitar. To this day, I have forgotten who was headlining that night in Richmond,Va. I’m certain they wished they had never agreed to follow “The Little Ole Band From Texas” Believe it was sometime in ‘73, no later than ‘74. Saw again same venue 10 years later.after Dusty and BFG had gone from fairly clean shaven cowboys to their signature 2ft. long beards. Of course by then they had become touring monsters. Had become polished with a few theatrical gimmicks to the show. That night their opening act was completely discounted as forgotten faster than you could say Afterburner.
Great Video. I first got to know zztop in the 80s. That's why I also like Afterburner and Recycler. I especially like Tres Hombres and Fandango from the early albums. Eliminator is my favorite.
ZZ Top is my favorite blues rock band. Also can you do a KISS ranking (involving the Ace, Paul, Gene, and Peter 78 solo albums) and AC/DC ranking anytime soon?😁
1st concert I ever saw, June of 1974 Long Beach Arena, California. (Tres Hombres tour). Brownsville Station, Black Oak Arkansas, and ZZ Top. Remember it clearly. No beards back then... My top 5 1) Tres Hombres 2) Rio Grande Mud 3) Deguello 4) First Album 5) Fandango
ZZ is my favorite band. As much as I love the early stuff, Rhythmeen is my favorite album. I dig every single track. Least favorite is Mescalero. That album surprised me because I really didn't care for much of anything on it--and I like just about everything else they've done over their 50 years of playing and recording together, including the 80s stuff. Check out Billy's latest solo project, Big Blues Band--fantastic gut-bucket electric blues and blues rock.
I've been meaning to listen to more ZZ Top for quite some time. SO many albums and SO many deep cuts, it's about damn time I listened past "Tush" and "La Grange"
7:16 I'll never get sick of the tune and video Sharp Dressed Man. It is wayyy too badass! Especially Billy's riffs and soloing. Same goes for Legs and Gimme All Your Lovin. Absolutely killer! Plus totally hot gals in the videos. Yeah MTV played em to death but somehow I never let that ruin the fact of how amazing these tracks are.
I got afterburner for my birthday, when I was 13. I told my Grandma I like this band when i was riding with her to the store.and she just bought me afterburner. This was 1999. Im not sure why she chose that. But I thought it was pretty cool.
I have a soft spot for Afterburner. Sorry. A sentimental favorite. That and eliminator got me into zz top when I was a kid, which led me to their admittedly superior early work. So I'm thankful for that pair of albums even if they're not exactly artistic triumphs compared to the stuff that came before.
Drew Sollars Sounds exactly like me to a tee. I had heard of them, kinda, then when they literally exploded on MTV in the 80’s, it was on like donkey Kong. Sorry I couldn’t resist, but yeah I got into them deeper and appreciated them more for it as a result.🤘✌️🖖🎸🥁🎤🎹👍
I totally agree with your top picks Pete. And Eliminator as well. I think that we all enjoy your top ten, and ranking the albums shows. Now, whenever you can get around to it, do shows for the following: Moody Blues, Alan Parsons Project, Bob Seger, Metallica, AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac. I'm sure there are more that I can't think of right now, but I'm sure you know of some. All my favorite music and bands or artist was from the 60's & 70's. And I just thought of a two more: Judas Priest, Scorpions, So , in your time man. I'm looking forward to seeing more shows. love you dude.
Like many watching this, I was introduced to ZZ Top in the 80s thanks to MTV and the trio of music videos for the songs off Eliminator, so I have a soft spot for that album. Having said that, it’s their 70s output that makes them the great band that they are. I definitely need to dive into that era of music.
Have You Heard? and Just Got Back From Baby’s and Arrested For Drivin’...are my three favorite ZZ songs. The first five records were spectacular. I remember hearing Arrested for the first time, driving between Raleigh, NC and Cumberland, Md. Somewhere around Rockville, I heard that tune on DC101 for the first time, and had to pull off the road because it hit me so hard. You’ve got a great channel, mio amigo.
Billy / Dusty / Frank !! Soooooo good..... 1. Deguello 2.Tres Hombres 3. Eliminator 4.Tejas 5. Rio Grande Mud 6. First Album 7. El Loco 8. Fandango 9.La Futura 10. Rhythmeen 11. Antenna 12. Mescalero 13. Recycler 14. Afterburner 15. XXXI have to mention an important album to me, One Foot In The Blues
My Top 10 ZZ albums are: 1. Tres Hombres 2. Fandango 3. Rio Grande Mud 4. Deguello 5. First Album 6. El Loco 7. Eliminator 8. Tejas 9. Mescalero 10. XXX. I started listening to ZZ right after the Tres Hombres album in 1973 and have been a huge fan ever since. I love your Ranking the Albums shows! Keep up the great work.
I knew and loved them since their first album. They were completely unknown in Germany at that time. But I think the purists tend to underrate Eliminator and the other 80s stuff. Very difficult to make a rating: 1 Degüello + Tejas + Eliminator, 2 Tres Hombres + First Album + Rio Grande Mud, 3 El Loco + Rhythmeen + (Afterburner, Mescalero, Antenna …). Usually totally underrated are Mescalero, Rhythmeen, Afterburner and XXX.
4:38 I'm completely opposite of you Pete when it comes to records with lots of songs. I love when bands go nuts creatively, and are prolific songwriting wise. It's real. They're messing around in the studio jammin and getting off on the new stuff for themselves. I dig that. Self indulgence is GOOD. I love double albums too. I wanna hear the experiments. I wanna hear where they're taking it all. It's an adventure with every tune. I couldn't care less if the tunes are big hits or not. Sometimes it's just the chemistry and sound of the 3 guys playing together that is enough to satisfy me as a fan. But hey that's just me. The more songs the merrier 😎😎😎😎😎
Pete's CD Vinyl World I’m English but live in Lucca, Italy. I am convinced that American swearing has its origins in Italian parolacce, brought over from il bel paese by Italian immigrants. If you translate from Italian to American English, the phrases used are all pretty much identical. British English swearing is completely different, coming from Protestant rather than Catholic origins.
My Top 15 ZZ Top Albums. 15. Recycler 14. Afterburner 13. Eliminator 12. XXX 11. Antenna 10. La Futura 9. Mescalero 8. Rythmeen 7. Duguello 6. Tejas 5. El Loco 4. ZZ Top's First Album 3. Rio Grande Mud 2. Tres Hombres 1. Fandango! Took Some Time, getting into that Debut Album.
Hello. New subscriber here. Do you have any videos about Little Feat or Paul Butterfield? Would be cool to see you rank their albums. Very underrated/underappreciated musicians IMO Thanks for doing ZZ Top 👍
I like ZZ Top songs. Would burn my own best of CD. But if I'm in the mood for any ZZ Top CD. I'll reach for these two albums. 2) *Eliminator* Got Me Under Pressure 1) *Degüello* (love the whole album)
Love all of them but for some reason I keep coming back to El Loco, just works great as an album for me, song after song. God damn, I love that little ol band from Texas!
Pete! Awesome list! My favorites simply all from the 70ties! In my mind just for me they are the best! From 90ties and last Cd is good too! The 80ties I liked that they became so famous as I love the Band but there are only a couple of tunes for me! This is the way it is for me and I don't apologize for it! You do great work man! I enjoy a lot of your videos like on Deep Purple and Black Sabbath etc. for example! 🎸🎸🎸🎸
Have every ZZTop album. Love their “ tongue and cheek funny lyrics. Songs remind you of a time or event in your life. Senior year nov 79 / five mins after getting my license New York FM radio played Cheap Sunglasses. Tremendous song. Tres Hombres. Is a album every song unreal. Number 1. 2-3-4-5. Any order. ZZ Top first album. Deguello (79). Fandango. Tejas. But. I actually like A lot of Recycler and Afterburner. Tremendous show PETE. Safe Travels.
Rough Boy. Nothing sounds like this song. It is unique. I love America (as a British citizen), and I have now purchased Tres Hombres on your recommendation. If this is the source of Rough Boy then it must be a potent potion indeed. I have never heard La Grange, or indeed any of the tracks on this album. I soon will. It landed on my doormat a few days ago.
Hey Pete. Just started listening a month or so after returning from a deployment. I really enjoy your reviews, dont always agree with some rankings but overall I'd say we are 85% agreeable. I am 57 so I grew up with the same music you did and I was a ZZ fan way back I have to say that I really did like both Afterburner and Eliminator although I get your ranking. They are different from the earlier ZZ releases and seem to go off track. I'd say they are similar to comparing early Judas Priest to say Turbo. Anyway love what you and appreciate how you dont trash what you are not fond of knowing that some out there can get easily offended. Keep going man, like in Toy Story you have a fan in me.
Another good one!, Pete! I found myself re-discovery the 90's Antenna and Rhythmeen, some great riffs!! love Gibbons tone at this time. I became a fan , after a friends older brother played me Fandango! and i heard the BLUES for the first time BLUE JEAN BLUES! around 1978/ 79. Eliminator was everywhere. My high school buddy played it NON STOP in his Monte Carlo tape player. Only tape he ever played. They are coming in concert here in June. but a back row floor ticket is over $75.00 Nosebleed seats in the balcony are $100. I just dont know....to hear their "big hits".
My favourite album is Degüello, stripped down and so bluesy. And I agree with the 80s albums being too machine like. From Eliminator I dig Thug and TV Dinners best. A bit different from what they did before or after
I've only ever had *Eliminator, Afterburner, Recycler,* and *Antenna.* I love them all, especially *Eliminator* although I never, ever have to hear "Legs" ever again. (As a matter of fact, I hope I don't.) However, I love the big early hits, such as Waiting For The Bus/Jesus Just Left Chicago, LaGrange, Cheap Sunglasses, and I'm Bad I'm Nationwide. I've just never had those albums. Great show as always, Pete!! 👍🏻
Agree mostly with your comments on Eliminator, but I'm surprised you didn't mention the track I Need You Tonight. It's just an epic slow blues with delay and distortion, an absolute masterpiece.
This is what I love about rock and roll. This is some guy who I just discovered a month ago who just sits in his room and talks but I could listen to him talk about his album rankings for hours on end and find it just as fulfilling and entertaining as watching a movie. That's how you know this is the best genre.
I discovered this guy last year. I watch his channel so much my wife calls him my best friend 😀
Same here! I discovered him a week ago and can't stop watching! ... though he chose one of my favourite ZZ top albums as his least fave☹️
well said
Amen to that Brother! Great show and really cool host.
@@martintrottaaiello5367 Really? Afterburner was a complete rehash of Eliminator!
I'm first and foremost into Extreme Metal, especially Death Metal, but this channel motivates me to dig into classic rock/hard rock/heavy metal in a way I never did before.
Two thumbs up.
I like a lot of Black Metal, but I also like Genesis. Go figure. :)
@@gwts1171 I haven't dived into Genesis, not yet at least, but if they did "Mama" I at least dig one of their songs. Heard it in GTA IV.
@@Slayer78 yes, Genesis released song "Mama"
Tejas is without doubt my favorite. Snappie Kakkie alone. Love the album from start to finish. Fantastic grooves.
agree with ya to me tejas is as good as any album with those cool grooves.a very underrated Z.Z.Top album.It's probably the album I play the most or close to.
First album is so underrated. Absolutely love it. I would agree with your top five. Love the 70’s Top.
As a teenager in the 80's video age, Eliminator was my introduction to ZZ Top. I went crazy for the band. I joined the ZZ Top fan club and started reading up on the history of the band. I decided to venture into the past of the band and discovered the early catalog and loved it. All this happened between the release of Eliminator and Afterburner. From there, nothing could compare to the 70's catalog.
I remember being surprised they had so much earlier stuff! My sisters were into El Loco, so I knew that, but was happy to learn about the rest!!
Dave
Great story bro. Discovery is a beautiful thing
I had just the same experience like you. As a european I was totally unaware of their earlier career before Eliminitor. And now I couldn't live without their early stuff
Right on. 1970's are the best. I started to listen to them around 1977 age 12. Stopped in 1983 the MTV years.
eliminator is amazing! this album brings you back to 80s: aerobics, arcade, bright color elements, track jacket, you name it..
😄👍
I saw ZZ the 1st time in March 1975. They played 55minutes. Best concert I've ever seen. That summer Fandango! came out. Great album.
"Asleep in the Desert" such a priceless gem along with the Tejas LP and all of the others! :P \m/
amazing song Jeff Young
The groove of 10 dollar Man
another great song
Yes, love this track. That's what I love about this band, they were able to go beyond the mere boogie rock. And each album has its own character. Unique band.
It's so relaxing and comforting to listen to you talking about music. Keep It up, greetings from Italy.
What I need is a ranking of the UFO-Albums... PLEASE!!!
Lights Out is my personal favorite. Love UFO, although I really only listen to the Schenker stuff.
@@ginoferiante7140 Chains Chains from the Wild, Willing and Innocent.
Again, the 70's dominate.
MBonfire1 Best ever decade!
Hell yeah.....!!!
I think the correct phrase to describe the ‘70s is ‘the dog’s bollocks’.
Patrick, don't ever offend dog lovers! Just kidding :-)
Tejas
Great to hear some love for Rhymeen! My fav. Apparently not Frank on drums. Killer album.
I bought that box set on your recommendation and now I am HOOKED on ZZ Top. Love it! Thanks for the great content as always.
Great Video Pete. Love this band.
1. Tres Hombres
2. Eliminator
3. Deguello
4. Fandango
5. Afterburner
The Lizard King Channel Great list Peter.Great choice for number 1.
This makes me want to pop on my Deguello LP!
Thank you Pete for being apologetic about the use of those words. Most youtubers would have a "deal with it" attitude about it. That's a very respectful, honorable and humble response.
I was really impressed by that too.
"Brown Sugar" from the 1st Album is my favorite Song too. Love your show! Greetings from Germany!
they have SO many great albums. Mindblowing!
Great ranking of your ranking ZZ Top!🎤🎸🎵🥁
Afterburner is one of their BEST
Finally going to see ZZ Top this year!!
Another great ranking. I grew up on Eliminator and Afterburner and only got into the old stuff within the past few years. Found the 6 pack album that has the first 5 albums and the 7th. All amazing material. Definitely need to pick up more.
I know you disagree, Pete, but having listened to your favorite ZZ Top album, I still consider 'Rough Boy' to be their finest song. It's so honest and original and real. It's so beautiful and individual. I love this song.
Tres hombres their greatest album ever, absolutely loaded with classics. Master of sparks will always be my favorite. song.
That's it...I'm going to buy the remastered CD box of their early albums. 🌵
Spot on choices Pete!! Hello from New Zealand
This was Phil Lynott's favorite band.
"Deguello" I need to get that one on vinyl!
@SabuPtolemy yes listen to
"Bad Habits". It sounds almost identical to "Pearl Necklace". Phil and Billy Gibbons should've started a band together.
Wow... Pete totally nailed on that heard it on the X ruff 😀... Awesome Video...
Love all the ZZ Top stuff! As for the lengthier latter day albums, I don't mind em. Simply for the fact of how much time passes between most of the albums from veteran bands! Lol I'll take all I can get whenever I can get it! Gives me more to dig into until the next one arrives. 🤘
"Tres Hombres" is in my top 10 records of all time.
Opening the record with that string of songs is freaking rare. I think maybe only the "Joshua Tree" did something like that. Incredible.
Hi-Infidelity by REO Speedwagon and Thriller by Michael Jackson.
Awesome channel🤘🤘🤘. Another dork like me! Oh how I love music !!
Afterburner is my favorite next to Recycler as far as recent albums. Deguello and Tres Hombres are my classic favorites.
Mine too, nowhere their worst, he should re do this video, it really bugs me that he put it last
THE MIGHTY ZZ TOP !!!! Heavy Texas Blues Rock at it's Best... their catalog during the 70s stands up to anyones !!!
Hey Pete, love your channel. Thanks for covering these Texas fellers! Good ranking.
Watched many of your videos and dig them. I don't always agree but your perspective is always very interesting. You a lot when you talk, but that's a lot less annoying than people that say "y'know" every other word. Keep up the good work Pete!
Now I have to revisit some old ZZ Top! ;)
I really enjoyed this video! Although, I"m a little late....3 years late. lol Couldn't agree with you more about Tres Hombres. It's my favorite ZZ Top album. All the songs are insanely great but Sheik is what really does it for me. Tres Hombres is a top 10 all time all around favorite of mine!...maybe even top 5. Great vid! Thanks!
1) Tres Hobres
2) Deguello
3) Fandango
4) Rio Grande Mud
5) Eliminator
6) Tejas
7) EL Loco
8) Rythymeen
9)LaFutura
10) First Album
11) Mescalero
12 ) Antenna
13)Recycler
14) Afterburner
Just love zz top !!
Great review as usual. These reviews are making me dig out my copies and really enjoying them again. They're also costing me cash as I'm ordering something after every review!! 👍
I am with you Pete I love the debut!!! So good, so raw, just a trio jamming in a room and the songs are killer!
I would agree with you on Afterburner except…it has one of the best ZZ Top songs ever: Stages. LOVE that tune! 🤘
Agree with what, it’s nowhere near the worst, 99% of people will tell you that
Jesus Christ I love Billy Gibbons👍👍👍
They were in my collection since 1972 Rio Grande Mud and I went back to buy the first album that I had missed. So once again a band I grew up with and grew along with, so that is what fuels my assessments. And I agree with your notion that the CD age made them release albums that were too long. Their point was short excellent focused songs with that special guitar tone.
1. Tres Hombres (agree with every word you say, whoever sequenced the album was a genius, it builds and builds while starting at such a high level already...)
2. Tejas
3. First Album (I discovered the band with Rio Grande Mud and liked them so much I went immediately to buy their first one, and that was even better)
4. Deguello
5. Rio Grande Mud
6. Eliminator
7. El Loco
8. Fandango
9. Recycler
10. Afterburner
11. Antenna
12. Rhythmeen
13. Mescalero (Sorry, when guys get older they do the blues...slow blues...but I do not need ZZ Top for such stuff - same is true for Rhythmeen.)
14. La Futura
15. XXX
For me the first album is the tops by far. I grew up in the 70’s in the triangle between Houston, Dallas and Austin where this band emerged. The Moving Side Walks (precursor to ZZ Top) played at our High school prom. When that first album came out it perfectly encapsulated the very best of the Texas blues rock scene at that time and place.
5 - Rio Grande Mud
4 - Tres Hombres
3 - Afterburner
2 - Deguello
1 - Eliminator
@rj zander incorrect
My Top 5:
1. Degüello
2. Rio Grande Mud
3. First Album
4. Fandango
5. Tejas
I can't put Tres Hombres in it. That album is off limits.
Why is tres hombres off limits?
Too good and powerful to be messed with, messing with gods have serious consequences.
@@XenoMorphGaming79 oh okay then...*summons Dio and Lemmy*
Mescalero is my number one.
Grew up with the 70s stuff. Rediscovered 80s ZZ in the 90s. I like those albums even more than the blues stuff.
Love your top 3. Unforgettable period for ZZ. Heard Tres Hombes before the first two but immediately added all 3 after seeing them as an opening band.This three man wrecking crew blew me away- the fastest guitar playing I had ever seen. They did a number that ended up counting to 1.2.3 BLOW YOUR TOP. Swore I could see smoke coming off Billy’s guitar. To this day, I have forgotten who was headlining that night in Richmond,Va. I’m certain they wished they had never agreed to follow “The Little Ole Band From Texas” Believe it was sometime in ‘73, no later than ‘74. Saw again same venue 10 years later.after Dusty and BFG had gone from fairly clean shaven cowboys to their signature 2ft. long beards. Of course by then they had become touring monsters. Had become polished with a few theatrical gimmicks to the show. That night their opening act was completely discounted as forgotten faster than you could say Afterburner.
Their 1970's work is truly amazing
Great Video. I first got to know zztop in the 80s. That's why I also like Afterburner and Recycler. I especially like Tres Hombres and Fandango from the early albums. Eliminator is my favorite.
The first six ZZ Top albums will always be the best, IMO.
Right on 🤜🤛. 1970-1979 is my personal favorite period of the band as well.
Tejas is my favorite. The pinch harmonics are awesome. She's a heartbreaker all time favorite song.
Tejas is tops. Nothing else quite touches it. But the original CD release with the replaced snare? How could they?
Good to know. I thought I"m the only one on the planet...
ZZ Top is my favorite blues rock band.
Also can you do a KISS ranking (involving the Ace, Paul, Gene, and Peter 78 solo albums) and AC/DC ranking anytime soon?😁
"Degüello" was the first, I ever heard and is still my absolute #1
1st concert I ever saw, June of 1974 Long Beach Arena, California. (Tres Hombres tour). Brownsville Station, Black Oak Arkansas, and ZZ Top. Remember it clearly. No beards back then...
My top 5
1) Tres Hombres
2) Rio Grande Mud
3) Deguello
4) First Album
5) Fandango
As a kid who grew-up in the 70s-born in 64) your top six are spot on. You nailed it. Rock on brother. Semper Fi.
ZZ is my favorite band. As much as I love the early stuff, Rhythmeen is my favorite album. I dig every single track. Least favorite is Mescalero. That album surprised me because I really didn't care for much of anything on it--and I like just about everything else they've done over their 50 years of playing and recording together, including the 80s stuff. Check out Billy's latest solo project, Big Blues Band--fantastic gut-bucket electric blues and blues rock.
My favorite band too, man.
I've been meaning to listen to more ZZ Top for quite some time. SO many albums and SO many deep cuts, it's about damn time I listened past "Tush" and "La Grange"
7:16 I'll never get sick of the tune and video Sharp Dressed Man. It is wayyy too badass! Especially Billy's riffs and soloing. Same goes for Legs and Gimme All Your Lovin. Absolutely killer! Plus totally hot gals in the videos. Yeah MTV played em to death but somehow I never let that ruin the fact of how amazing these tracks are.
Early ZZ Top is phenomenal!
Totally agree with your assessment of the 1st album. Absolutely love it!
Maaan… Jezuz! Luv it! 🙌🏻🎸🇺🇸
I got afterburner for my birthday, when I was 13. I told my Grandma I like this band when i was riding with her to the store.and she just bought me afterburner. This was 1999. Im not sure why she chose that. But I thought it was pretty cool.
Saw them on Tres hombres tour just incredible. Saw them many times will never forget that one.😁🎸
I have a soft spot for Afterburner. Sorry. A sentimental favorite. That and eliminator got me into zz top when I was a kid, which led me to their admittedly superior early work. So I'm thankful for that pair of albums even if they're not exactly artistic triumphs compared to the stuff that came before.
Drew Sollars Sounds exactly like me to a tee. I had heard of them, kinda, then when they literally exploded on MTV in the 80’s, it was on like donkey Kong. Sorry I couldn’t resist, but yeah I got into them deeper and appreciated them more for it as a result.🤘✌️🖖🎸🥁🎤🎹👍
I totally agree with your top picks Pete. And Eliminator as well. I think that we all enjoy your top ten, and ranking the albums shows. Now, whenever you can get around to it, do shows for the following: Moody Blues, Alan Parsons Project, Bob Seger, Metallica, AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac. I'm sure there are more that I can't think of right now, but I'm sure you know of some. All my favorite music and bands or artist was from the 60's & 70's. And I just thought of a two more: Judas Priest, Scorpions, So , in your time man. I'm looking forward to seeing more shows. love you dude.
I like em all...and thanks for turning me on to that killer box set Pete, I've got it in my shopping cart!!
Totally agree on Rhythmeen. Definitely one of my favorites of their albums. I love Antenna also.
Hey Pete, keep up the great work!!! All of us are a work in progress!!!
Like many watching this, I was introduced to ZZ Top in the 80s thanks to MTV and the trio of music videos for the songs off Eliminator, so I have a soft spot for that album. Having said that, it’s their 70s output that makes them the great band that they are. I definitely need to dive into that era of music.
Pete ! You’re great ! I love your enthousiasme !!
Have You Heard? and Just Got Back From Baby’s and Arrested For Drivin’...are my three favorite ZZ songs.
The first five records were spectacular.
I remember hearing Arrested for the first time, driving between Raleigh, NC and Cumberland, Md.
Somewhere around Rockville, I heard that tune on DC101 for the first time, and had to pull off the road because it hit me so hard.
You’ve got a great channel, mio amigo.
Billy / Dusty / Frank !! Soooooo good..... 1. Deguello 2.Tres Hombres 3. Eliminator 4.Tejas 5. Rio Grande Mud 6. First Album 7. El Loco 8. Fandango 9.La Futura 10. Rhythmeen 11. Antenna 12. Mescalero 13. Recycler 14. Afterburner 15. XXXI have to mention an important album to me, One Foot In The Blues
You've shown me a lot of valuable music.. Thank you Pete.
My Top 10 ZZ albums are: 1. Tres Hombres 2. Fandango 3. Rio Grande Mud 4. Deguello 5. First Album 6. El Loco 7. Eliminator 8. Tejas 9. Mescalero 10. XXX.
I started listening to ZZ right after the Tres Hombres album in 1973 and have been a huge fan ever since.
I love your Ranking the Albums shows! Keep up the great work.
I knew and loved them since their first album. They were completely unknown in Germany at that time. But I think the purists tend to underrate Eliminator and the other 80s stuff. Very difficult to make a rating: 1 Degüello + Tejas + Eliminator, 2 Tres Hombres + First Album + Rio Grande Mud, 3 El Loco + Rhythmeen + (Afterburner, Mescalero, Antenna …). Usually totally underrated are Mescalero, Rhythmeen, Afterburner and XXX.
4:38 I'm completely opposite of you Pete when it comes to records with lots of songs. I love when bands go nuts creatively, and are prolific songwriting wise. It's real. They're messing around in the studio jammin and getting off on the new stuff for themselves. I dig that. Self indulgence is GOOD. I love double albums too. I wanna hear the experiments. I wanna hear where they're taking it all. It's an adventure with every tune. I couldn't care less if the tunes are big hits or not. Sometimes it's just the chemistry and sound of the 3 guys playing together that is enough to satisfy me as a fan. But hey that's just me. The more songs the merrier 😎😎😎😎😎
I'm an Italian from Jersey also, so I hear you on the "Jesus" and "Christ" thing. We use the F word as much as the word The.
Pete's CD Vinyl World I’m English but live in Lucca, Italy. I am convinced that American swearing has its origins in Italian parolacce, brought over from il bel paese by Italian immigrants. If you translate from Italian to American English, the phrases used are all pretty much identical. British English swearing is completely different, coming from Protestant rather than Catholic origins.
Irish/German/Polish Catholic from MI. Same.
Why anyone could be offended by merely saying 'jesus' or 'christ' is beyond me. Some people need to grow up.
Tedious God-botherers are everywhere, unfortunately- like many nowadays, just waiting to be offended.
Great call on Rhythmeen! Very underrated.
My Top 15 ZZ Top Albums.
15. Recycler
14. Afterburner
13. Eliminator
12. XXX
11. Antenna
10. La Futura
9. Mescalero
8. Rythmeen
7. Duguello
6. Tejas
5. El Loco
4. ZZ Top's First Album
3. Rio Grande Mud
2. Tres Hombres
1. Fandango!
Took Some Time, getting into that Debut Album.
absolutely love Rio Grade Mud, Deguello and Tres Hombres! You can tell EVH and Roth in particular listened to this stuff.
Hello. New subscriber here. Do you have any videos about Little Feat or Paul Butterfield?
Would be cool to see you rank their albums. Very underrated/underappreciated musicians IMO
Thanks for doing ZZ Top 👍
I like ZZ Top songs. Would burn my own best of CD. But if I'm in the mood for any ZZ Top CD. I'll reach for these two albums.
2) *Eliminator* Got Me Under Pressure
1) *Degüello* (love the whole album)
Love all of them but for some reason I keep coming back to El Loco, just works great as an album for me, song after song.
God damn, I love that little ol band from Texas!
Pete! Awesome list! My favorites simply all from the 70ties! In my mind just for me they are the best! From 90ties and last Cd is good too! The 80ties I liked that they became so famous as I love the Band but there are only a couple of tunes for me! This is the way it is for me and I don't apologize for it! You do great work man! I enjoy a lot of your videos like on Deep Purple and Black Sabbath etc. for example! 🎸🎸🎸🎸
I’m listening tres hombres in this very right moment! Great album
Have every ZZTop album. Love their “ tongue and cheek funny lyrics. Songs remind you of a time or event in your life. Senior year nov 79 / five mins after getting my license New York FM radio played Cheap Sunglasses. Tremendous song. Tres Hombres. Is a album every song unreal. Number 1. 2-3-4-5. Any order. ZZ Top first album. Deguello (79). Fandango. Tejas. But. I actually like A lot of Recycler and Afterburner. Tremendous show PETE. Safe Travels.
Little Band From Texas ZZTOP My Favorite Band And Wrote Lot Good Songs And you Have Great Day 👍🏼😀
I must agree 100% Tres Hombres! The studio side of Fandango! Great stuff!
Rough Boy. Nothing sounds like this song. It is unique. I love America (as a British citizen), and I have now purchased Tres Hombres on your recommendation. If this is the source of Rough Boy then it must be a potent potion indeed. I have never heard La Grange, or indeed any of the tracks on this album. I soon will. It landed on my doormat a few days ago.
I love ZZ. Something happened after 1979. I'm too far into the first 6 albums. You are right where I am on my favorites - good work.
Hey Pete. Just started listening a month or so after returning from a deployment. I really enjoy your reviews, dont always agree with some rankings but overall I'd say we are 85% agreeable. I am 57 so I grew up with the same music you did and I was a ZZ fan way back I have to say that I really did like both Afterburner and Eliminator although I get your ranking. They are different from the earlier ZZ releases and seem to go off track. I'd say they are similar to comparing early Judas Priest to say Turbo. Anyway love what you and appreciate how you dont trash what you are not fond of knowing that some out there can get easily offended. Keep going man, like in Toy Story you have a fan in me.
Another good one!, Pete! I found myself re-discovery the 90's Antenna and Rhythmeen, some great riffs!! love Gibbons tone at this time. I became a fan , after a friends older brother played me Fandango! and i heard the BLUES for the first time BLUE JEAN BLUES! around 1978/ 79. Eliminator was everywhere. My high school buddy played it NON STOP in his Monte Carlo tape player. Only tape he ever played. They are coming in concert here in June. but a back row floor ticket is over $75.00 Nosebleed seats in the balcony are $100. I just dont know....to hear their "big hits".
My favourite album is Degüello, stripped down and so bluesy. And I agree with the 80s albums being too machine like.
From Eliminator I dig Thug and TV Dinners best. A bit different from what they did before or after
I really love eliminator idc how overrated its a masterpiece
I've only ever had *Eliminator, Afterburner, Recycler,* and *Antenna.* I love them all, especially *Eliminator* although I never, ever have to hear "Legs" ever again. (As a matter of fact, I hope I don't.) However, I love the big early hits, such as Waiting For The Bus/Jesus Just Left Chicago, LaGrange, Cheap Sunglasses, and I'm Bad I'm Nationwide. I've just never had those albums. Great show as always, Pete!! 👍🏻
One of the best Pete's video ever 😁
ZZ Top's 1st is a beast of an album in my opinion!
I may only be 31 but Deguello is my favorite album, saw ZZ TOP in 2013, fun and stylish show and Billy Gibbons is one of my top 5 gutair players.
Nice ranking Pete. Love Tres Hombres never tire of listening to that album!
Agree mostly with your comments on Eliminator, but I'm surprised you didn't mention the track I Need You Tonight. It's just an epic slow blues with delay and distortion, an absolute masterpiece.