They performed their first concert together at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Beaumont on February 10. After Hill moved from Dallas to Houston, ZZ Top signed with London in 1970. Unwilling to sign a recording contract, Ethridge quit the band and Dusty Hill was selected as his replacement. Due to lack of interest from record companies, ZZ Top was presented with a record deal from London Records. Immediately after the recording of 'Salt Lick', Greig was replaced by bassist Billy Ethridge, a band mate of Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Mitchell was replaced by Frank Beard of the American Blues. They released their first single, 'Salt Lick', in 1969, and the B-side contained the song 'Miller's Farm' both songs were credited to Gibbons. ZZ Top was managed by Waxahachie-native Bill Ham, who had befriended Gibbons a year earlier. There were longstanding rumors that, at the end of a tour, Hendrix gave Gibbons the pink Stratocaster he had been playing as token of his appreciation for Gibbons' level of talent.

The original line-up formed in Houston, by Billy Gibbons, organist Lanier Greig (died February 2013) and drummer Dan Mitchell. 1.5 Critical acclaim and retrospective releases (2004–2011).1.2 First decade and signature sound (1973–1982).2.5 Critical acclaim and retrospective releases (2004–2011).2.2 First decade and signature sound (1973–1982).As a group, ZZ Top possesses 11 gold records and 7 platinum (13 multi-platinum) records their 1983 album, Eliminator, remains the group's most commercially successful record, selling over 10 million units. ZZ Top was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. One of the best-selling musical artists in history, the band has had global album sales in excess of 50 million as of 2014.

ZZ Top's musical style has changed over the years, beginning with blues-inspired rock on their early albums, then incorporating new wave,punk rock and dance-rock, with heavy use of synthesizers. Since the release of the band's debut album in January 1971, ZZ Top has become known for its strong blues roots and humorous lyrical motifs, relying heavily on double entendres and innuendo. Of the group, music writer Cub Koda said 'As genuine roots musicians, they have few peers Gibbons is one of America's finest blues guitarists working in the arena rock idiom while Hill and Beard provide the ultimate rhythm section support.' One of the few major label recording groups to have held the same lineup for more than forty years, ZZ Top has been praised by critics and fellow musicians alike for their technical mastery.

The band comprises guitarist and lead vocalist Billy Gibbons (the band's leader, main lyricist and musical arranger), bassist and co-lead vocalist Dusty Hill, and drummer Frank Beard. ZZ Top /ˈziːziːtɒp/ is an American rock band that formed in 1969 in Houston, Texas.

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