ZZ Top recently performed in Huntsville, Alabama using an oversized 17 string bass. The instrument was fully usable and bassist Elwood Francis proved that it could be used for the first song of the night, “Got Me Under Pressure.” Francis then used a more traditional bass for the rest of the performance. It turned out the bass was the result of late night shopping. Francis explained how, “I was doing night internet searching [and] turned up a picture of this crazy 17 string bass, I sent a picture to Billy and we laughed about it and made some jokes about actually trying to use it.”
Francis added that, “A few weeks later, after I had forgotten about it, Billy shows up with [the 17 string bass], one of those ‘hold my beer’ moments.” Francis joined the group after the death of bassist Dusty Hill, and has fit into the role well. Back in July, Hill remarked that, “He’s adding a great bit of enthusiasm, When I see [drummer] Frank Beard smiling for the first time in 30 years, I know something good’s happening.”
ZZ Top is currently wrapping up their Raw Whiskey tour that ends on December second in Scottsdale, Arizona. After that they head to Las Vegas for a residency at The Venetian Resort and Casino.
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