Southern Rock pioneer's ZZ Top, took to the stage Wednesday night at Prospera Place as part of their "Hell Raisers" tour and they did just that.
Famous for their signature style of long beards, deep grizzly voices, and hair-raising guitar rifts this Houston-born trio delivered one hell of a show.
Photo Credit: Savannah Bagshaw / KelownaNowDusty Hill and Billy Gibbons pose for the camera
The crowds chants echoed throughout the arena as they eagerly tried to coerce the 'tres hombre's' out onto the stage. Finally, one by one they emerged from the darkness to beams of lights and cheers of excitement. Taking only a few moments to admire their audience, lead guitarist Billy Gibbons played out the first few notes of the 1973 classic "Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers" from the album "Tres Hombres" and the crowd went wild.
Photo Credit: Savannah Bagshaw / KelownaNowBilly Gibbons starting off the show
Photo Credit: Savannah Bagshaw / KelownaNowDrummer, Frank Beard
Photo Credit: Savannah Bagshaw / KelownaNowBassist, Dusty Hill
Just when you thought the audience couldn't get more excited, the recognizable tune of hit single "Got Me Under Pressure" had everyone on their feet rocking out. Feeding off the crowd's energy, bassist Dusty Hill and Billy Gibbons could not have found a more perfect time to start pulling out the signature choreographed moves. Their synchronized swaying from side to side was just what the crowd needed to amp them up.
Photo Credit: Savannah Bagshaw / KelownaNowBilly and Dusty doing one of their signature moves
The stage set up and lighting may not have been anything fancy, but it didn't need to be. The band's smooth charm kept the audience excited and interacted. After asking the audience if they were having a good time and receiving screams of excitement, Dusty went on to say "You know we are having a good time in Canada, because in Canada you can do anything you want", Billy chimed in with " Well, almost anything, before we went on stage they told us no drinking during the gospel songs and we said, how about no gospel songs!"
The crowd roared in agreement and laughter.
Photo Credit: Savannah Bagshaw / KelownaNow
Not known for being the most energetic, these musicians let their music and skill do the bouncing around for them as the crowd went insane over Billy's face-melting guitar solo in the song "I Gotsta Get Paid" off the bands newer album "La Futura" released in 2012. Billy's raspy vocals along side Dusty's higher harmonies make for a truly unique contrast to the heavy drumming and guitar playing.
Photo Credit: Savannah Bagshaw / KelownaNowBilly Gibbons shredding the guitar
Photo Credit: Savannah Bagshaw / KelownaNow
To finish off their set ZZ Top performed two of their biggest hits, "Sharp Dressed Man" and "Legs." The audience didn't bother to sit down, as they didn't stop moving and with these songs, there was no reason to. Once they were done, everyone in the arena stood on their feet clapping and cheering as part of a standing ovation to the band who played their hearts out and sounded just as amazing as they did in the 70's, today.
The audience was not going to let it end there, not before long the encore chants commenced in hopes that the band would come out to do their most famous songs "Tush" and the classic hard rock jam "La Grange". Sure enough they did. Ending the night on a high for everyone there and making it their most memorable visit to date.
It was amazing to see the joy and excitement in not only the crowd's faces, but the musicians as well. This show was a must attend event for rock lovers young and old!
Photo Credit: Savannah Bagshaw / Kelowna Now
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