ZZ Top's 1981 Concert History

ZZ Top is an American rock band formed in 1969 in Houston, Texas. For 51 years, it was composed of vocalist-guitarist Billy Gibbons, drummer Frank Beard and bassist-vocalist Dusty Hill, until Hill's death in 2021. ZZ Top had developed a signature sound based on Gibbons' blues guitar playing style and Hill and Beard's rhythm section. They are popular for their live performances, sly and humorous lyrics, and the matching appearances of Gibbons and Hill, who wore sunglasses, hats and long beards.

Date Concert Venue Location
Dec 31, 1981
ZZ Top / Grand Funk Railroad
  Setlists
Mid-South Coliseum Memphis, Tennessee, United States
Dec 28, 1981
Z Z Top / Bus Boys

El Loco-Motion

  Photos   Setlists
Billy Bob's Texas Fort Worth, Texas, United States
Show Duplicate for Dec 28, 1981
Dec 27, 1981
ZZ Top
  Setlists
Wintergarden Ballroom Dallas, Texas, United States
Dec 26, 1981
ZZ Top
  Photos
The Summit Houston, Texas, United States
Nov 29, 1981
ZZ Top Selland Arena Fresno, California, United States
Nov 28, 1981
ZZ Top Bakersfield, California, United States
Nov 27, 1981
ZZ Top San Francisco, California, United States
Nov 26, 1981
ZZ Top Reno, Nevada, United States
Nov 12, 1981
ZZ Top Lexington, Kentucky, United States
Nov 01, 1981
ZZ Top / The Rolling Stones

Tattoo You

  Photos   Setlists
Cotton Bowl Dallas, Texas, United States
Show Duplicates for Nov 01, 1981
Oct 31, 1981
The Fabulous Thunderbirds / ZZ Top / The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones / ZZ Top / The Fabulous Thunderbirds

  Videos   Photos   Setlists
Cotton Bowl Dallas, Texas, United States
Show Duplicates for Oct 31, 1981
Oct 29, 1981
ZZ Top
  Setlists
NRG Park Houston, Texas, United States
Oct 28, 1981
The Rolling Stones / ZZ Top / The Fabulous Thunderbirds
  Setlists
NRG Stadium Houston, Texas, United States
Show Duplicates for Oct 28, 1981
Oct 26, 1981
ZZ Top / Girl
  Setlists
Eventim Apollo London, England, United Kingdom
Oct 25, 1981
ZZ Top / Rose Tattoo
  Photos   Setlists
Pavillon Baltard Nogent sur Marne, France
Oct 22, 1981
ZZ Top / Rose Tattoo Hall Rhenus Strasbourg, Grand Est, France
Oct 14, 1981
ZZ Top Alabamahalle Munich, Bavaria, Germany
Oct 13, 1981
ZZ Top Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Oct 11, 1981
ZZ Top
  Setlists
Huxleys Neue Welt Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Oct 06, 1981
ZZ Top
  Setlists
Hemmerleinhalle Nuremberg, Bavaria, Germany

Videos from 1981 View All 1981 Videos



The Fabulous Thunderbirds / ZZ Top / The Rolling Stones
Oct 31, 1981
 Dallas, Texas, United States
  Added by Kyle D

Photos from 1981 View All 1981 Photos


ZZ Top / Loverboy on Aug 15, 1981 [095-small]

ZZ Top / Loverboy
Aug 15, 1981
 St. Louis, Missouri, United States
  Uploaded by John Murray

ZZ Top / The Dixie Dregs on Sep 4, 1981 [182-small]

ZZ Top / The Dixie Dregs
Sep 4, 1981
 Jacksonville, Florida, United States
  Uploaded by Krock

ZZ Top / Loverboy on Jun 13, 1981 [865-small]

ZZ Top / Loverboy
Jun 13, 1981
 Detroit, Michigan, United States
  Uploaded by Zimtrim

ZZ Top / Loverboy on Jun 7, 1981 [525-small]

ZZ Top / Loverboy
Jun 7, 1981
 Columbia, South Carolina, United States
  Uploaded by F Houston Smith

ZZ Top on Dec 26, 1981 [548-small]

ZZ Top
Dec 26, 1981
 Houston, Texas, United States
  Uploaded by Zimtrim

ZZ Top on May 31, 1981 [435-small]

ZZ Top
May 31, 1981
 Nashville, Tennessee, United States
  Uploaded by Zimtrim

The Rolling Stones / ZZ TOP / The Fabulous Thunderbirds on Nov 1, 1981 [755-small]

The Rolling Stones / ZZ TOP / The Fabulous Thunderbirds
Nov 1, 1981
 Dallas, Texas, United States
  Uploaded by David Elliott

The Fabulous Thunderbirds / ZZ Top / The Rolling Stones on Oct 31, 1981 [280-small]

The Fabulous Thunderbirds / ZZ Top / The Rolling Stones
Oct 31, 1981
 Dallas, Texas, United States
  Uploaded by Kirby

The Fabulous Thunderbirds / ZZ Top / The Rolling Stones on Oct 31, 1981 [281-small]

The Fabulous Thunderbirds / ZZ Top / The Rolling Stones
Oct 31, 1981
 Dallas, Texas, United States
  Uploaded by Kirby

The Fabulous Thunderbirds / ZZ Top / The Rolling Stones on Oct 31, 1981 [282-small]

The Fabulous Thunderbirds / ZZ Top / The Rolling Stones
Oct 31, 1981
 Dallas, Texas, United States
  Uploaded by Kirby

ZZ Top / Loverboy on Jun 13, 1981 [199-small]

ZZ Top / Loverboy
Jun 13, 1981
 Detroit, Michigan, United States
  Uploaded by Japzbene1562

ZZ Top / Loverboy on Aug 9, 1981 [776-small]

ZZ Top / Loverboy
Aug 9, 1981
 East Troy, Wisconsin, United States
  Uploaded by Igatti

Rock
United States
Metal
Hard Rock
Classic Rock
Blues
Blues Rock
Country Rock
Album Oriented Rock (AOR)
Stoner Rock
Southern Rock
Boogie Rock
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2024 75 concerts
2023 69 concerts
2022 106 concerts
2021 81 concerts
2020 24 concerts
2019 106 concerts
2018 69 concerts
2017 107 concerts
2016 113 concerts
2015 107 concerts
2014 91 concerts
2013 121 concerts
2012 89 concerts
2011 105 concerts
2010 108 concerts
2009 102 concerts
2008 101 concerts
2007 106 concerts
2006 2 concerts
2005 83 concerts
2004 51 concerts
2003 86 concerts
2002 28 concerts
2001 1 concert
2000 45 concerts
1999 73 concerts
1998 1 concert
1997 93 concerts
1996 29 concerts
1995 4 concerts
1994 73 concerts
1993 4 concerts
1991 123 concerts
1990 33 concerts
1989 4 concerts
1987 7 concerts
1986 130 concerts
1985 12 concerts
1984 15 concerts
1983 118 concerts
1982 32 concerts
1981 93 concerts
1980 83 concerts
1979 21 concerts
1978 4 concerts
1977 29 concerts
1976 64 concerts
1975 71 concerts
1974 89 concerts
1973 79 concerts
1972 13 concerts
1971 4 concerts
1970 5 concerts
1969 4 concerts
1968 2 concerts
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Dghammer Jun 04, 2022

What idiot thinks that the Fort Worth Convention Center is in dal-ass?


Mjacobs Mar 18, 2020

ZZ Top ,Earth Wind and Fire and Uriah Heep concert on 9/7 /73 was not in Rochester NY but at the Floyd Maines Arena in Binghamton N.Y. I am positive on this since I was there and it was one of my all time favorite shows.


Bundy714 Oct 12, 2019

You missed one. ZZ Top played the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson, MS on April 18, 1991. I remember it well, cause we were really bummed. The Black Crowes were hot and new, and were supposed to open for ZZ Top, but for some reason they didn't. Can't remember why, but it turned out to be a good concert anyway. Sure did want to see the Black Crowes tho, lol.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)


Where is ZZ Top from?

Each of the founding members of ZZ Top were from Houston, Texas where they formed the band.

How long has ZZ Top been together?

ZZ Top was formed in 1969 when the band released their first single titled “Salt Lick.” They are one of the longest continuously performing bands in history, lasting well over half a decade.

Who were the founding members of ZZ Top?

Founding members of ZZ Top were:

  • Billy Gibbons on guitar and vocals
  • Dusty Hill on keyboard, bass, and vocals
  • Frank Beard on drums

Which ZZ Top member died in 2021?

On July 28, 2021, founding member of ZZ Top Dusty Hill passed away in his sleep according to an Instagram post by bandmates Billy Gibbons and Frank Beard.

Who replaced Dusty Hill from ZZ Top?

Before Dusty Hill passed, he told his long-time friend and band mate that Elwood Francis should replace him after his death. Francis had served as Hill’s guitar tech for many years. Gibbons and Beard honored Hill’s dying wish and brought Francis on as the new bassist and vocalist.

How old are the members of ZZ Top?

When Hills passed, he was 72 years old. Of the other founding members, Billy Gibbons (born 16 December 1949) is 74 years old while Frank Bear is 74 years old.

Hill’s replacement Elwood Francis, on the other hand, has not publicly stated his age, but he is thought to be about 10-15 years younger than other members of the band.

How did ZZ Top get its name?

When the band had just formed, Gibbons was trying to think of a name. He liked how musical artists like B.B. King and Z. Z. Hill stylized their names and thought about combining them to create "ZZ King." However, he thought this was too similar to “B.B. King” and and ultimately amended the name to “ZZ Top.”

How much is ZZ Top worth?

As of January 2021, ZZ Top's estimated net worth was about $80 million. The majority of their money comes from live performances and recordings.

Which ZZ Top member was on Bones?

Gibbons had a recurring role in the Fox television series Bones, appearing in seven episodes over nine years. In those episodes. he portrays a fictionalized version of himself as Angela Pearly Gates, the father of a character Michaela Conlin. He appears in season 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 10.

How many concerts has ZZ Top had?

ZZ Top has had 3,288 concerts.

What genre is ZZ Top?

ZZ Top is most often considered to be Rock, United States, Metal, Hard Rock, Classic Rock, Blues, Blues Rock, Country Rock, Album Oriented Rock (AOR), Stoner Rock, Southern Rock, and Boogie Rock.

When is the next ZZ Top concert?

The next ZZ Top concert is on March 29, 2024 at Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina, United States. The bands performing are: ZZ Top / Lynyrd Skynyrd / Black Stone Cherry.

When was the last ZZ Top concert?

The last ZZ Top concert was on March 27, 2024 at Stranahan Theater in Toledo, Ohio, United States. The bands that performed were: ZZ Top / The Vindys.

What setlist does ZZ Top play live?

The songs that ZZ Top performs live vary, but here's the latest setlist that we have from the March 16, 2024 concert at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina, United States:

  1. Got Me Under Pressure
  2. I Thank You
  3. Waitin' for the Bus/Jesus Just Left Chicago
  4. Gimme All Your Lovin'
  5. Pearl Necklace
  6. I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide
  7. I Gotsta Get Paid
  8. My Head's in Mississippi
  9. Sixteen Tons
  10. Just Got Paid
  11. Sharp Dressed Man
  12. Legs
  13. Brown Sugar
  14. Tube Snake Boogie
  15. La Grange

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