Glory days

So what to you represents the glory days of ZZ Top. Purists and long time fans would likely find this to be the entire 1970's and early '80's. The end begins with Eliminator for some.

Others, certainly the more casual and perhaps pop oriented masses, would find 1983 through the early '90's to represent all that ZZ Top were and are. The videos, the songs with the catchy hooks, the choreography, the arena tours.

And still some, in all estimates a small majority, may find the "Antenna" and "Rhythmeen" 1990's to be all they know of the group.

For myself, I tend to think of the group in two distinct halves, with a two year crossover period in the middle. Young, eager, energetic and hungry, the band makes me of slowly rising stars working hard to make it to the big time - this would comprise the years 1970 through 1983.

The transition period, 1985 through 1987, personifies riding the wave of worldwide fame, playing in sold out stadiums and thousands of fans singing along to every word. This also however represents the decay of synergy, spontaneity, drive and ambition. The slow decay of becoming, and exhibiting, what is comfortable, commercial, translucent, and ultimately easy and non-challenging.

The latter half to me is from 1990 through the present. Don't get me wrong, there are some great songs and great live performances during this period, but the inconsistencies are striking. Many nights would find the band simply plodding along, "dialing it in", and working more on "entertaining" the audiences rather than exciting and enthralling the crowd with the music itself.

I theorize this change to result from two factors, one inevitable, the other regrettable. Age has a lot to do with it, and expecting to have the energy to perform when your 50 like you did when you were 25 is simply unrealistic. The second factor is success. Very similar to Pink Floyd after "Dark Side of the Moon", ZZ Top found the dizzying heights of "Eliminator" created a overwhelming sense of accomplishment, and forever lessened the need to "make it" and continue to hone one's skills. Sad but true.

So what are the "Glory Days" to you? Perhaps we should still consider the possibility of a third era; rejuvenation anyone?