So, 41 years and counting. ZZ Top has been one continuous unit, functioning as a whole comprised of three individual and unique parts, since many of our readers were even born. What compels these three men to maintain a major commitment, of both time and interest, year after year?
Perhaps the formula is not so secret. I'm going to cite some factors that I think are contributing:
- Meeting each other and becoming friends at a young age. Billy, Dusty and Frank got to know each other in their late teens to very early 20's. At the tail end of their formative years, they developed a sense of trust and respect for each other, going on to experience, together, many of life's trials and troubles in the years to come.
- Having the same hunger and drive. All three wanted to play music, perform that music on their respective instruments, and be in a band with other talented individuals. Frank filled a hole that Billy had, and then Dusty was invited to file a hole that Billy and Frank had. They met at the right time, and each was able to satisfy the others' needs by meeting the expectations of talent, creativity, ambition, and ideas. A synergy was immediately formed.
- Having similar interests. They liked being on the road, they liked playing their type of music, and they liked spreading the sound of Texas; also they liked money and girls, but not at the expense of the former three. Experts say your musical tastes are formed in your teens, hence by the time the members met they knew what they liked - these tastes have never changed thus the appeal of the group has not suffered from lack of individual interest in the continued playing of music.
- A good manager. It cannot be stressed enough how important this is. Bill Ham is the FOURTH MEMBER of ZZ Top. He deserves a good deal of credit for harnessing the youth, unbridled enthusiasm, and energy of the three young men, traits that the young can often release in malevolent and determination ways. Bill Ham was older, more mature, business savvy, smart, instinctual, and honest; he was at the wheel for the better part of 35 years. ZZ Top is what it is today due in great part to their former manager.
- Staying away from drugs. Notwithstanding Frank's dependencies through the majority of the '70's, the group for the large part stayed away from heavy drugs, and never developed a detrimental addiction to alcohol. They didn't miss gigs, and they didn't cancel on commitments. Drugs have brought down so very many bands and musicians that the occasional event of another entertainer dying of unnatural causes never seems to surprise anymore.
The second edition will comment on what additional factors I consider to be involved:
- A sense of commitment.
- A sense of need.
- A sense of fame.
- A sense of fear.
- A sense of duty.
- A sense of obligation.
- A sense of place
