Page 125 - ION Indie Magazine SeptOct 2022

Billy, along with original drummer Frank Beard and
newcomer Elwood Francis, who fell perfectly into
place with Beard, came as a welcome relief to ZZ
Top fans. ZZ Top played hit after hit after hit,
drawing heavily from the band’s 1983 monster
smash “Eliminator” album, along with some of their
earlier music. The rock trio had one of the longest
continuous reigns in rock music until the death of
bassist Dusty Hill. Dusty died in July 2021, and
was replaced by Elwood, the longtime guitar
technician for the band. Reportedly, it was Dusty’s
wish that the band continue, but with Elwood as his
replacement. This was the band’s first line-up
change in more than 51 years, and it came and
went without a hitch for the closely knit Texas trio.