ZZ Top on Friday played their first show since the death of the blues-rock band’s bassist Dusty Hill.

Hill passed away in his sleep at home in Houston, Texas, at the age of 72 last week.

ZZ Top was formed in 1969 in Houston by Billy Gibbons. Drummer Frank Beard and Dusty Hill joined in 1969 and 1970 respectively; this line-up lasted until Hill’s death.

The band shared last month that Hill was “on a short detour back to Texas, to address a hip issue.” They replaced Hill with Elwood Francis.

Elwood Francis was part of ZZ Top that took the stage Friday for a performance in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

After performing “Got Me Under Pressure,” Gibbons introduced the new bassist to the audience, saying, “Got a new guy up here, as you know. Dusty gave me the directive. My friend, your pal, Elwood Francis is gonna hold it down behind me.”

ZZ Top then played some hit songs from their half-a-century old career.

Source: RTT Music News

Late Rush drummer Neil Peart’s last recorded drum solo is featured in a teaser for the Rush concert film, Cinema Strangiato.

The Holy Trinity of Rock returns to the big screen on September 9, when Rush: Cinema Strangiato – Director’s Cut is screened in movie theatres worldwide via Trafalgar Releasing to celebrate 40 years of Moving Pictures.

This global fan event will also give audiences a special look into R40 LIVE, with a revamped setlist including new additions of bonus tracks “One Little Victory” and “Red Barchetta” as well as “Cygnus X-1 / “The Story So Far.”

Additional favorites include songs such as “Animate,” “Closer to the Heart,” “Subdivisions,” and “Tom Sawyer” along with backstage moments and candid footage left on the cutting room floor.

The Director’s Cut also includes soundcheck performances of the fan-favorite “Jacob’s Ladder,” exclusive interviews with Tom Morello, Billy Corgan, Taylor Hawkins, producer Nick Raskulinecz, The Trailer Park Boys, and violinist Jonathan Dinklage.

Source: RTT Music News

Steely Dan have announced a U.S. tour in October-November and the release of two new live albums in September.

The “Absolutely Normal Tour ’21” kicks off with a four-night stand in Miami, Florida, on October 5. Tickets for the tour go on sale starting July 30 at 10 am Local through Ticketmaster. Fans can purchase Platinum tickets beginning July 29 at 10 am.

In album news, Steely Dan’s Northeast Corridor: Steely Dan Live!, and a live version of the acclaimed solo album by Steely Dan co-founder Donald Fagen – The Nightfly Live – will both be released on CD and Digital on September 24. Both albums will be available on 180g-vinyl on October 1.

The first live Steely Dan album in more than 25 years, Northeast Corridor: Steely Dan Live! was recorded across tour dates at New York City’s Beacon Theatre, The Met Philadelphia and more, and showcases selections from Steely Dan’s extraordinary catalog of slinky grooves, sleek subversive lyrics, and infectious hits.

Donald Fagen’s The Nightfly Live was performed live by The Steely Dan Band.

Both albums are available for pre-order. Fans who pre-order Northeast Corridor: Steely Dan Live! will instantly receive a digital download of “Reeling In The Years” and those who pre-order The Nightfly Live will instantly receive a digital download of “I.G.Y.”

Tour Dates:

Oct. 5 – Miami Beach, FL @ The Fillmore Miami Beach at Jackie Gleason Theater
Oct. 6 – Miami Beach, FL @ The Fillmore Miami Beach at Jackie Gleason Theater
Oct. 8 – Miami Beach, FL @ The Fillmore Miami Beach at Jackie Gleason Theater
Oct. 9 – Miami Beach, FL @ The Fillmore Miami Beach at Jackie Gleason Theater
Oct. 12 – Orlando, FL @ Dr Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Oct. 13 – Orlando, FL @ Dr Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Oct. 15 – St. Petersburg, FL @ Duke Energy Center for the Arts – Mahaffey Theater
Oct. 16 – St. Petersburg, FL @ Duke Energy Center for the Arts – Mahaffey Theater
Oct. 19 – Jacksonville, FL @ Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts – Moran Theater
Oct. 20 – North Charleston, SC @ North Charleston Performing Arts Center
Oct. 22 – Charlotte, NC @ Ovens Auditorium
Oct. 23 – Richmond, VA @ Altria Theater
Oct. 25 – Baltimore, MD @ Hippodrome Theatre at France-Merrick Performing Arts
Oct. 27 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Met Philadelphia
Oct. 29 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Met Philadelphia
Oct. 30 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Met Philadelphia
Nov. 1 – Red Bank, NJ @ Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre at the Count Basie Center
Nov. 3 – Morristown, NJ @ Mayo Performing Arts Center
Nov. 4 – Morristown, NJ @ Mayo Performing Arts Center
Nov. 6 – Morristown, NJ @ Mayo Performing Arts Center
Nov. 7 – Morristown, NJ @ Mayo Performing Arts Center
Nov. 9 – Port Chester, NY @ The Capitol Theatre
Nov. 10 – Port Chester, NY @ The Capitol Theatre
Nov. 13 – Wallingford, CT @ Toyota Oakdale Theatre
Nov. 14 – Bethlehem, PA @ The Wind Creek Event Center
Nov. 17 – Boston, MA @ Orpheum Theatre presented by Citizens
Nov. 19 – Boston, MA @ Orpheum Theatre presented by Citizens
Nov. 20 – Boston, MA @ Orpheum Theatre presented by Citizens

ZZ Top’s longtime bassist and vocalist Dusty Hill has passed away at the age of 72. No cause of death was given.

“We are saddened by the news today that our Compadre, Dusty Hill, has passed away in his sleep at home in Houston,” bandmates Billy Gibbons and Frank Beard announced in a statement . “We, along with legions of ZZ Top fans around the world, will miss your steadfast presence, your good nature and enduring commitment to providing that monumental bottom to the ‘Top.’ We will forever be connected to that ‘Blues Shuffle in C,’” noting, “You will be greatly missed, amigo.”

After announcing the news the band canceled their show last night in Simpsonville, South Carolina. Hill had left the tour just last week “to address a hip issue,” athough at his request the band continued the tour, and they said they had expected him to make a “speedy recovery.”

• Gibbons formed ZZ Top in 1969, with Hill and Beard joining him soon after. They played together for more than five decades.
• ZZ Top had their first major hit with 1973’s “Tres Hombres,” but are probably best known for the hits from their 1983 smash album “Eliminator,” including “Legs,” “Sharp Dressed Man” and “Gimmie All Your Lovin’” The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004.

YES recently shared “The Ice Bridge,” the first track from their upcoming album, and an accompanying video.

“The Ice Bridge” is the first new song by the rock band in seven years. The Quest, the new studio album from YES, is scheduled to release on InsideOutMusic/Sony Music on October 1.

The album’s producer, guitarist Steve Howe said that much of the music was written in late 2019 with the rest in 2020.

“We commissioned several orchestrations to augment and enhance the overall sound of these fresh new recordings, hoping that our emphasis on melody, coupled with some expansive instrumental solo breaks, keeps up the momentum for our listeners,” he added.

The Quest was recorded across the globe. The sessions took place in the U.K. with Howe, keyboardist Geoff Downes and singer Jon Davison, while drummer Alan White and bassist Billy Sherwood got together in the studio in the US.

The Quest is available for pre-order in various formats, including a Limited Deluxe Box-Set that features a Gatefold 180g 2LP on exclusive coloured vinyl, 2CD+Blu-ray Digipak here.

The 11-song album will also be available as Limited 2CD+Blu-ray Artbook, 2CD Digipak, Gatefold 2LP+2CD and as a Digital Album.

The Quest Tracklist:

CD1:

The Ice Bridge 7.01
Dare To Know 6.00
Minus The Man 5.35
Leave Well Alone 8.06
The Western Edge 4.26
Future Memories 5.08
Music To My Ears 4.41
A Living Island 6.52

CD2:

Sister Sleeping Soul 4.51
Mystery Tour 3.33
Damaged World 5.20

Source: RTT Music News