Review and Photos by Fred Kuhlman
Promoter: Danny Zelisko Presents (https://dzplive.com/ )
Venue: Findlay Toyota Center, Prescott Vally, AZ (https://www.findlaytoyotacenter.com/ )
Date: Thursday November 13th, 2025
ZZ Top is an American rock band formed in Houston, Texas, in 1969. It consisted of vocalist-guitarist Billy Gibbons, drummer Frank Beard, and bassist-vocalist Dusty Hill. Unfortunately, Dusty Hill died in 2021. Bass player Elwood Francis has joined the band.
ZZ Top is known as “That Lil’ Ol’ Band from Texas” that plays a Texas style of southern rock. A lot of their songs have sexual overtones, but in fun ways. Billy Gibbons is also known to just show up on a street corner and start playing guitar. Most people just think he is a normal street performer and ignore him.
I saw ZZ Top back in the 70s, or at least I have the ticket stub to show I was there. They were part of an all-day festival. But this is the first time I have been lucky enough the review and photograph the band. We were allowed to photograph from the soundboard and only the first song. That is why you will see all professional photographs with Elwood playing the large 17-string bass guitar. He only played it for the first song and then transitioned to a standard bass guitar.
From the start Billy Gibbons voice was fantastic. ZZ Top is also known for Billy and Dusty having long beards and wearing sunglasses while performing, it was their signature. Elwood fits in perfectly with his long beard and he also wears sunglasses to keep up the ZZ Top style.
During this tour we got to hear all of ZZ Tops greatest hits. They started the night with “Got Me Under Pressure” and “I Thank You”. From the first song, everyone on the floor of the venue was standing. They stood for almost the entire show. There were times that some people were dancing in the aisles and singing along with the songs. When they performed “Sixteen Tons”, a Merle Travis cover, but remade it into a ZZ Top’s Texas Rock style.
They ended their main set with 2 of their top hits, “Sharp Dressed Man” and “Legs”. While they were off stage, the crowd went crazy yelling and clapping for them to come back out. Finally, they reemerged and for an encore performed 3 more songs. Billy joking said they had to leave the stage so they could change into his and Elwood’s matching Red Jackets. They started the encore with “Brown Sugar” and “Tube Snake Boogie”. They ended the concert with probably their best-known song, “La Grange”. If you hear it, you instantly know it is ZZ Top.
They only played for about 75 minutes, but in that time, you got a solid set of ZZ Top’s best songs. You also got classic ZZ Top, Elwood’s 17-string bass, Billy & Elwood in matching rhinestone jackets, Billy & Elwood with their “fuzzy” guitars, and seeing Billy & Elwood doing “slide steppin” across the stage. The only thing I missed them doing was the spinning guitars. But overall, I loved the show. It was everything I wanted. My only disappointment was it could have been a little longer.
Danny Zelisko is known for discovering young talent. His latest find is a young man from Australia, Taj Farrant. Taj was only 15 years old when Danny first had him perform in Phoenix at a little bar, the Rhythm Room. That was 2 years ago. Danny brought Taj and his band as the opening act for the 2 shows DZP (Danny Zelisko Presents) was promoting ZZ Top. If you don’t already know, Taj Farrant is a blues guitarist. He has a mixture of original songs and covers by other great artists. Over the past few years Taj has performed with some of the greatest blues’ guitar including Samantha Fish, Kingfish, Carlos Santana and Buddy Guy.
I have seen Taj perform at the Rhythm Room and now on the big stage opening for ZZ Top. This young man is amazing. I see a bright future for him. His 30-minute set tonight showed the audience just how great he is. He is backed up by a 4-piece band that includes his sister, Jazel Farrant on keyboards. If you get a chance to see Taj, I definitely recommend it.
The only complaint I have is with the person in front of me with the cowboy hat. It is bad enough when you have someone tall in front of you, but when they wear a cowboy hat it is just a pain. I had to move around just to see Billy and Elwood on the stage.
ZZ Top Social Media sites:
Website: https://www.zztop.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZZTop/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zztop/
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/zztop
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zztopofficial
Photos © Fred Kuhlman 2025, All Rights Reserved
Taj Farrant Social Media sites:
Website: https://www.tajfarrant.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tajfarrant
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tajfarrant/
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TajFarrant_Offici
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tajfarrantofficial
Photos © Fred Kuhlman 2025, All Rights Reserved
ZZ Top Setlist:
Got Me Under Pressure
I Thank You
Waitin’ for the Bus
Jesus Just Left Chicago
Gimme All Your Lovin’
Pearl Necklace
I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide
I Gotsta Get Paid
My Head’s in Mississippi
Sixteen Tons
Just Got Paid
Sharp Dressed Man
Legs
Encore:
Brown Sugar
Tube Snake Boogie
La Grange
