What I’m watching: ZZ Top: That Little Ol’ Band from Texas

Date: 3/16/2020

What I’m watching: a documentary about one of my favorite bands.

On Netflix: ZZ Top: That Little Ol’ Band from Texas

I love ZZ Top and have so for many years. Their fusion of classic blues with rock and roll is singular and I was eager to see this recently released documentary.

For a group with a nearly 50-year history and one that has a huge fan base, relatively little is known about Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill and Frank Beard. Part of the appeal of the band has been its steadfast refusal to do the kind of publicity that is normal for rock bands.

Despite their popularity, the three band members remain more than a tad mysterious. The fact that two of them have the trademark beards even adds to the confusion of just who they are.

Director and co-writer Sam Dunn had more access to the group for his film than any other reporter in the group’s history. His film traces the creation and development of the band through new interviews and archival footage and photos.

Despite the mystery, the band’s origins are pretty similar to other rock bands from the late 1960s and early ‘70s. ZZ Top came together organically with pretty much fate casting together the three musicians.

How they became the band they are is also covered well, with their mutual interest in blues serving as a basis for their sound.

The three men also discussed the hurdle they had to face: coming from Texas they were lumped into the Southern rock movement of the 1970s. In the film, Hill especially emphasized the fact they really didn’t share anything musically with Southern rock groups of that era.

Instead ZZ Top – yes, the name is explained – forged a unique musical path, celebrating their Texan roots and blending the foundations of the blues with rock and roll.

They also developed a theatrical aspect to their act with the beards – the result of a two-year-hiatus after a lengthy tour – with created a now legendary sense of mystery.

Who are these guys anyway?

Does Dunn answer that question? Yes and no. Of the three men, Beard is the most forthcoming in terms of speaking about his addiction and how it affected his marriage.

Hill and Gibbons are very articulate in their interviews with Dunn about the band and the music, but by the end of the film you don’t have any real clue about anything personal. Are they married? Do they have families? Do they ever take off the sunglasses?

It’s apparent they are very committed to maintaining the mystery and that it has gone from a publicity device to a lifestyle. I must admit I was a bit disappointed that Dunn was unable to actually give us more insight. I have no doubt this element of the film was dictated by ZZ Top.

Dunn ends his film with how the album Eliminator and its iconic music videos – “Sharp Dressed Man,” “Legs” and Gimme All Your Lovin’,” changed the group’s public profile with their heavy rotation on MTV. The videos created a persona for the group as well as linking stories of helping the underdog to their music.

ZZ Top is still touring, still performing new music and this film underscores the nature of their accomplishments, while maintaining the mystery.