ZZ TOP Collaborating With BLACK KEYS On Material For New Album
October 3, 2008, 16 years ago
ZZ TOP singer/guitarist Billy Gibbons spoke to John Soeder from Cleveland.com recently about a number of topics. A few excerpts from the chat follow:
Q: I've heard you'll collaborate with Akron's BLACK KEYS on material for the new album that ZZ Top is recording with Rick Rubin.
A: "Oh, yeah. In fact, I talked to Dan (Auerbach, Black Keys singer-guitarist) day before yesterday, and he's pumped up. I'm a big fan of what they did from Day One. David Lynch, the filmmaker, is the guy that brought my attention to them. Ever since that first record came out, I've kept a keen interest. I believe that with this reputation that ZZ Top maintains as having this raw and gritty edge, they certainly resonate on that level. Having this mutual admiration [for] what they do and what we do combined, it'll be an interesting fit. At least we'll see."
Q: The 25th-anniversary 'collector's edition' of Eliminator just came out. Why did the original album connect on such a grand scale?
A: "Musically, they were interesting compositions. But I think the backbone was solid tempo. We were focused on . . . making sounds that we liked, and making sure that we kept it in a groove. We met what we referred to as Mr. Time. So it was the three band members and this mysterious, unflagging, unwavering, clocklike imaginary image that we named Mr. Time. Once we got intimate with the guy [laughs], we didn't want to leave."
Read more here.
ZZ Top - 'Jesus Just Left Chicago' live from 1980:
