I remember an interview Billy did where he talked about this performance. He said that's exactly why they hadn't done live TV before. 🤣 He said his in-ear monitors were extremely low, him and Dusty could barely hear Frank. He said the only thing they COULD hear was that "Dog gone loud ass Trumpet"!! 😂 Anyone who has seen ZZ Top knows they are extremely tight. RIP Dusty!
@@KP-ni8bh I once found myself jamming with some folks, one of whom was a Dunning Kruger harp player. He was convinced that we were psychically attuned because he "knew where you were going as you were going there", in an eight bar I-IV-V. Seriously, guy was so bad, when an irate girlfriend smashed his guitar, I had mixed feelings.
Doc and the band should have sat this one out. Trainwreck...especially the 1st song. Who wants to hear Docs horn fight with the lead guitar...not me anyway.
@@swillia420 Agree. I did not want those horns in there, but since they were, a better arrangement could have sounded good or at least interesting. Sounded like circus music.
Very true, however since it was Dusty's wish to continue, instead of a musician from another band (disbanded or in need of work) they have an excellent bassist who has been with them for decades in a behind the scenes mostly.
@@kenharper7189 Nope. Their chemistry started going in different directions after only a few years. And I love Chicago too! Original name was The Chicago Transit Authority or CTA.
Seen these guys live once. Absolutely amazing! No tricks, no frills, it's all them. 100% live for real and they sound incredible. If you seen the little slip up with vocals at the start, you know your not listening some pre-recording CD. ZZ top man. Absolutely top notch.
No frills? All their gear nowadays is covered in white fur. 😂 Regardless, i get ya. I first saw em in ‘89, last saw em on the 50th anniversary tour. They are phenomenal live. RIP, Dusty.
@@1960HikerDude Oh ya! I've seen them only once before, but it was at the Houston rodeo, so it wasn't really a full concert. Gonna see them in Corpus Christi with Lynyrd Skynyrd and Black Stone Cherry. My 13 year old son's first concert. It's gonna be great!
The thing about TH-cam and the internet, it is the closest thing to a time machine we have. Holy smokes I was 17 in 1985. Time is scary fast. Peace.......
That was my first reaction when I saw them live in '76. Didn't know much about the band, didn't know that there were only 3 guys - and I could not believe the wall of sound coming from just 3 guys!
I went and saw them while still in H.S. in I think 76 but it might have been 75 or 77 🤷🏻♂️but yes indeed they were great and lots of fun . Nobody had that look back then in RnR . When Tush came out me and my boyhood friends where like WTF haha WTF is this .
If you went by while I was in school, junior year, at Cottage Grove High School, you passed within two hundred yards of me. I had Fandango in my 8 track box in my van. Of course I may have been out at the lake instead.
Dusty had a wicked voice and seldom got to show it off. Billy's voice has more character and was the go to for most of their stuff. But man Dusty had some power in his pipes!
Dusty was the lead singer in his brother’s band prior to ZZ Top......he can sing.....Dusty and Frank are a little lazy and didn’t offer and resistance to anyone who offered to do more of the work.....😂 true story. Once they got a wheel berry full of money they just wanted to relax and Billy had to do most of the work and song writing. Billy is a genius and a lot smarter than the other two.....Frank lives right outside of Pecan Grove Plantation in Richmond, Tx and I lived in that subdivision for years and saw Frank running up and down Pitts Rd on his golf cart. His wife was beautiful and they drove separate golf carts. My daughters went to school with his twin boys.....
I remember when this aired, my dad came to my room and told me "John's boy's(Frank) band is on Carson". Dad wasn't happy about the house band and kept saying"Doc needs to shut the hell up and listen". ZZTop was my first concert several years before that. My uncle lived next to John Beard out in East Tawakoni and when my parents took trips, they would usually take us out there. During one of my stays out there, my uncle took me and my cousin with him and John to a bar in Oak Cliff to see them. That's one of my favorite memories.
I agree with your Dad. The performance was great, without the horn section jumping all over the band. Its clear they really don't know the material they are trying to accompany.
Saw them multiple times over the years. Loudest band I've ever heard on tour. My ears are still ringing. Deguello was my all time favorite ZZ Top album.
I saw ZZ on New Years Eve in Ft. Worth Texas back in the mid 1970s...........my ears rang for three days.......but made sense at the time............LOL
I recorded this on VHS, when it first aired & watched it 1000 times. Haven't seen it in maybe 30 years, but remember everything about it. From Billy flubbing the beginning of Sharp Dressed Man, to Doc's wide-eyed expression when they disappear. I sing Tush in a band & because of this performance, I always add "No, no" after "not alone". Thanks for posting this. I'm gonna save it & watch it another 1000 times!
I was in that audience too, my brother and I had no clue that we were going to see ZZ Top. Waited outside for a couple of hours and got in. This is the first time I’ve seen this since that day. Wow!
Got to see them live before Dusty passed. We were in a small hall, second row, center stage. We were so close we could see their playlists taped to the base of their mic stands. It amazed me how three guys could sound like a six-man band. Awesome night.
Let me see…1 race track, 1 stadium, 4 arenas, and best of all, one recording studio. Nicest guys n the world. They’ve deserved every bit of the success they’ve enjoyed.
Oh my sweet love took me to their concert for my birthday and God they were so good. Front and center of the stage. This even gives me chills. What a great band!
@@dindrmindr626 It was live,Carson was live back then , I saw Hendrix on Carson and his amplifier started giving him problems and they kept playing while they changed it out
@@dindrmindr626 Have you ever played an instrument, guitar or trumpet or been in a band, there are places in music where the lead or the bass or rythem are not playing or are taking a rest , Dusty Hill was a great bass player, and he was playing that bass , his brother was a great guitar player that played all over Texas, Rocky Hill
I know most purists prefer the bluesier ‘70s ZZ Top, but their ‘80s synth era and the visual image they came up with was utterly brilliant and perfect for MTV. They were on top of the world after Eliminator and Afterburner.
@@johnthonig1692 I used to work with them. As an engineer for LD Systems . In fact in 2000 they were practicing in our shop. (Dusty’s wife had just divorced him , and took the house in SanLeon where their practice studio was. They were actually really nice fun loving guys. RIP Dusty you are missed …
The whole production was so good. ZZ Top were great, of course, and the Tonight show band , with Doc the beard, and then Johnny in the beard... Incredible. RIP Dusty.
First time I saw ZZ Top was Nov 1, 1981, when they opened for The Rolling Stones here in Dallas at the Cotton Bowl. The Fabulous Thunderbirds were also on the bill. I was a kid and couldn't hear a damn thing in school for the next 4 days, but I remember every moment of that concert. THANK YOU to this #JohnnyCarson channel for sharing this fantastic flashback of the boys at their height.
I saw ZZ Top perform at the Cotton Bowl back in '81. They were a backup band for the Rolling Stones, and the The Fabulous Thunderbirds were a backup band for ZZ Top! Man, them were the days... ;-)
I never saw the Stones. But saw ZZ top 3xs and Billy Gibbons solo once. One of the best shows I ever saw was Santana,ZZ top, Steve Miller. Great music times and memories.
I saw ZZ Top open for the Rolling Stones, after the Fabulous Thunderbirds.. in Houston in '82. THAT was a pretty good concert my friend. Now Billy Gibbons is a neighbor with me here in Vegas. He just helped open the 2nd Sand Dollar Saloon downtown at the Plaza Hotel. He is a real authentic guitar rock n roll hero to me. even at 71 RIP Dusty
Yes! In fact ZZ Top was in the middle of touring Europe when the Stones asked them if they would like to open for them in Houston. They stopped everything and came home and did it!@@tolfan4438
Truly skilled musicians all the way around. Things were coming off the tracks early on but they all found the groove and then knocked Tush out of the park. What true live music sounds like. It's not always perfect. It can't be, but if you trust your skill and feel it works.
In the summer of 2002, I worked at an outdoor concert venue where ZZTop were playing. I got to hang out with two of them backstage. They were two of the most decent, down-to-earth people I'd ever met. I'm not a huge fan of their music but I am a fan of the men themselves. Update: They will be playing at a concert venue in my city this week. I won't be attending, I lack funds.
That wasn't a slip up on his part. That could have been anything, monitors, doc, who knows, and who cares. These guys are world-class musicians and they've been around to long to deserve this. They rock live and I've seen them at least ten times in Texas, Colorado, and California. Each time putting on a hell of a show. RIP sir!
I saw them live at a large concert in the Dallas Convention Center around this time in their career, and they performed so perfectly the entire night, especially Billy. I could not believe how perfectly the played and sang.
1st concert. 1974 Natchitoches Louisiana. Was suppose to see them at the Northwestern Colosseum, but due to a power failure, the concert venue was changed to the fine arts theater. Me and my friend was at the handrail 6 feet away. The pearly gates was in play. It was a life changing experience. Billy, I hope you read this and remember, but if you don't, I can understand why. You have been around the world and been a inspiration to countless numbers of musicians.
This is truly a gem of an appearance! What a performance and collaboration! Fantastic! Who would of known ZZ Top and trumpets in their music! Very cool exit! And to see Johnny and Doc get into it! They were so cool too! I've never seen this, thank you Official Johnny Carson!
Never been a HUGE fan of ZZ, but this is one of the best live television performances I've seen. Yet, it's so simple. No flashy lights...auto tune, lyp-synching. Just rock and roll.
The Beastie Boys are great that's why you can't knock them. It's not their fault they did it their way and zz top went along with this. Zz top is great and so is beasties it's just how the performances came out. They all did great with what they had.
Misses the point of the term "power trio". Reminds me of when Letterman had Motorhead on; at one point they had the house band backing Lemmy on Johnny B. Goode. Clueless directing at some level or other.
The Tonight Show Band is Probably the Best Big Band Today But I wish they would have let ZZ Topp Jam Without the Brass Accompaniment!! I saw them in Saginaw Michigan in a small venue & they gave it ALL!! When these guys go to work THEY WORK, No matter the Venue!! Dusty Hill is Gone & ZZ Topp is no More, But They are FANTASTIC!! Rest in Peace, Dusty!! Or in Great Amplitude, whichever Y'all Prefer!! Thanks for the Memory!!
@@paulwooton4390 I think doc screwed it up, but to be fair it might have been a lack of practice time to effectively realize the idea of collaboration, and knowing the house musicians were of such high quality that they could eventually figure something to fake, which happened in the last song with a simple no risk riff.
I didn't realize how lucky I was to see ZZ Top at the Surf Ballroom when I was 16 in 2011. I grew up listening to these guys on my folk's stereo and now my kids will do the same.
@@matslarsson3452 At times. But then, at times Frank, Dusty and Billy all sounded bad as well: this was live along with all the flubs one would expect from the first major TV appearance.
@@matslarsson3452 You can never enjoy these talk show performances on TH-cam if you listen as a critic. These bands probably flew in for the Tonight Show. They probably were able to rehearse once with the band after a sound check. Given those circumstances, I was not expecting mid-world tour perfection.
I've only been to one rock concert and it was these fellas and man, they did not disappoint! They were and are my favorite band ever! To this day their show in Wichita Kansas during the Antenna Tour is the best I've ever seen, hands down. They made it personal, had dancing girls on mobile catwalks swinging out over the crowd, the giant exploding radio, their equipment changes and of course the spinning guitars (iconic). They didn't miss a thing. Love the band, the presentation and of course the raw, blues, rockin, honky sound! Rock and Red Dirt forever!
Antenna is my favorite headphone album. My older brother gave me the Tres Hombres 8Track. Years later, he was regretting it. The band was originally called Moving Sidewalks. They did a song, that reminded me so much of Hendrix! It is in their Chrome, Smoke, and Bar-B-Que box set.
If I remember correctly, this was a Friday night show. And I was stoked the whole day waiting for them to come on. Johnny and Doc's schtick was a real hoot. A memorable day!
Every time I saw them live they were flawless. This was a bit of a mess. It sounded to me like Doc and his band kinda got in their way and made them drag a little.
Wow, major nostalgia high. This brought tears to my eyes because it brought back a time when things were working the way that they should. Also ZZ Top, always cool, but Doc also F'ing cool! Thank you for posting this!
Douche nozzle lol yea today’s host are way too involved in politics being politically correct live in the land of the offended not funny don’t no how to make fun of themselves Johnny Carson was is the epitome of what a late host should strive for but I will say this he looks damn cool along with doc wearing their beards
@@randallreid424 If Johnny Carson was around today, he'd be denounced as woke. He gave The Tonight Show over to Harry Belafonte to promote leftists causes in 1968. th-cam.com/video/bk49xNDC40w/w-d-xo.html
That "dude" was the famous Doc Severinsen. Unfortunately, for this performance, he and his "Big Band-era" mates should have sat it out. "Sometimes a man has to know his limitations." ---Clint Eastwood
I can't believe how REAL that beard looked on Johnny at the end! Whoever the makeup artist was that did that should have gotten an award. Doc, not so much though LOL!
When they cut back to Johnny in the beard and the shades, I laughed out loud.....which is more than I can say about any late night shows on these days.
I remember an interview Billy did where he talked about this performance. He said that's exactly why they hadn't done live TV before. 🤣 He said his in-ear monitors were extremely low, him and Dusty could barely hear Frank. He said the only thing they COULD hear was that "Dog gone loud ass Trumpet"!! 😂 Anyone who has seen ZZ Top knows they are extremely tight. RIP Dusty!
Been there. You just keep playing hoping it sounds right and you keep up..
@@KP-ni8bh I once found myself jamming with some folks, one of whom was a Dunning Kruger harp player. He was convinced that we were psychically attuned because he "knew where you were going as you were going there", in an eight bar I-IV-V.
Seriously, guy was so bad, when an irate girlfriend smashed his guitar, I had mixed feelings.
Its overdrive guitar stuff brass is too soft doesnt gell , start of sharp dressed man was uncertain possibly due to monitor issues.
Most television performances are lip syncing and not even live.
LMFAO
The world needs another Johnny Carson! He was wonderful. Love ZZ Top!
And one less Doc Sevrenson.
@@olewetdog6254 Doc was great and still is. He's still performing at 96.
Leno never came close! 😉
It def ruins the song
Amen to that! Today's crop of so-called late night "comedians" don't hold a candle to Johnny.
Doc and the band should have sat this one out. Trainwreck...especially the 1st song. Who wants to hear Docs horn fight with the lead guitar...not me anyway.
it was a real corny horn part too. sounded forced.
They (house band)!were obviously a few bars behind for the first minute or so, tough to watch!
@@eric_in_florida suuuper cheesy, wasn't it
But the Tres Amigos, being the pros they are, didn't let it throw them off🎸😎
You ain’t kidding. 🥴
Let's add some horns to Sharp Dressed Man, said no one ever.
Absolutely dreadful idea. Can’t believe the band went along with it.
Yeah, I love horns, just not here.
It’s like putting Jimi Hendrix and Frank Sinatra on the stage together!
Go and listen to LITERALLY any other rendition of it then.
needs more cowbells ......
Props. National television for the first time. The horns stepping all over the groove.
They still found a way. Very Cool !
Playing the wrong third on the bridge section...eh
That horn arrangement was terrible
@@swillia420 Agree. I did not want those horns in there, but since they were, a better arrangement could have sounded good or at least interesting. Sounded like circus music.
It's like the local high school marching band won a contest to get to play with ZZ Top. 🤣
@@joshszarke9077 hehe no lie. What is with those arrangements? Horn players are a different breed anyway
Glad that this popped up in the YT feed. ZZ Top are awesome and Carson was the absolute best talk-show host on US television.
The horn players flubbed the intro and Billy just sang it again til they jumped in there LOL
I saw them a few years back, and Billy had to restart one song.... Frank missed it cuz he was lighting a smoke. 💨 Frank kinda seemed a tad annoyed
An original chemistry that will never be duplicated.
Yes, because horns and guitars don't go together!
@@phalangeish how about Chicago?
Very true, however since it was Dusty's wish to continue, instead of a musician from another band (disbanded or in need of work) they have an excellent bassist who has been with them for decades in a behind the scenes mostly.
@@kenharper7189 Nope.
Their chemistry started going in different directions after only a few years. And I love Chicago too! Original name was The Chicago Transit Authority or CTA.
@@kenharper7189 great way to describe the boys from Texas... excellent indeed...
Seen these guys live once. Absolutely amazing! No tricks, no frills, it's all them. 100% live for real and they sound incredible. If you seen the little slip up with vocals at the start, you know your not listening some pre-recording CD. ZZ top man. Absolutely top notch.
No frills? All their gear nowadays is covered in white fur. 😂
Regardless, i get ya. I first saw em in ‘89, last saw em on the 50th anniversary tour. They are phenomenal live. RIP, Dusty.
We were fortunate enough to see them at Red Rocks on The Eliminator Tour. For that I am forever grateful.
You mean you "saw" these guys live once.
@@jameslatta6813 Grammar Police is here LMAO
@@jameslatta6813 Don't see many people with the last name Latta.
The beard at the end was the coolest!!!! R.I.P. Johnny and R.I.P. Dusty. Two of the absolute greatest at their crafts.
RIP also Kym Herrin, the ZZ Top girl in red, died young of cancer....
The shot of Johnny at the very end is priceless! I got to see ZZ Top twice during the 80's. They're still one of my favorite bands.
Gonna see them this coming April!
@@raysosebee8841 you’re gonna have a great time!
@@1960HikerDude Oh ya! I've seen them only once before, but it was at the Houston rodeo, so it wasn't really a full concert. Gonna see them in Corpus Christi with Lynyrd Skynyrd and Black Stone Cherry. My 13 year old son's first concert. It's gonna be great!
Seen their Fandango and Afterburner tour. Fandango was the best.
Dang 1960! Glad to see you're still getting it done! Sure do miss your DO videos. Hope all is well.
That band is the epidemy of COOL. Loved ZZ Top since I can remember. RIP Dusty!!!
Thanks DOC FOR SCREWING IT UP .ZZ TOP ROCKS .👍💫💥👊👊👊.
Yeah. Horrible.and they missed the changes
Yeah, I thought it was only Paul Shaffer who f##ked up every da#n band on the Letterman show....
@@markv.5962 Yeah? let's see you do it.
@@KB-ke3fi are we in middle school? lets see you do it? grow up
@@KB-ke3fithe shot was not at ZZ Top, but doc and the band. They shoulda just watched.
Back when it was worth staying up to watch late night TV.
Preach.
AMEN
I quit watching it when it all went left wing political.
Yeah, now they're all propagandists for the wokes. Biden can't even finish a sentence whilst reading from the teleprompter, but he gets a pass.
As a young teen I would stay up religiously to watch the Johnny Carson Show!
☆☆☆☆☆
😎
Billy looking over his shoulder at Doc like "what the hell???", haha.
He should have took that horn and shoved it up Doc's....
Many years ago Doc had a good band unfortunately not tonight
I've always loved Johnny Carson and ZZ Top. This was a can't miss clip for me.
Brings back great memories Carson and ZZ TOP some of the best music ever made
72 years old and can't believe I've never come across this -
Incredible !!
Ditto….Let’s hear it for 1950 :-)
The thing about TH-cam and the internet, it is the closest thing to a time machine we have. Holy smokes I was 17 in 1985. Time is scary fast. Peace.......
One of my favorite bands. Lots of sound with just 3 guys!
That was my first reaction when I saw them live in '76. Didn't know much about the band, didn't know that there were only 3 guys - and I could not believe the wall of sound coming from just 3 guys!
“I ain’t look for much”…….what a great band they are!! Go ZZ Top’s!!! ❤❤❤❤❤. Omg….Johnny with that beard!! 🤣🤣
that was Doc too
Carson will always be the quintessential late night talk show host. The tonight show was required viewing back in the day.
WoW, that was Great!
I'm 71 and been a ZZ TOP FAN 4 YEARS!
GOD BLESS ❤.
ZZTops first few albums are absolute treasures, dudes rock.
I went and saw them while still in H.S. in I think 76 but it might have been 75 or 77 🤷🏻♂️but yes indeed they were great and lots of fun . Nobody had that look back then in RnR . When Tush came out me and my boyhood friends where like WTF haha WTF is this .
Drove from California to Alaska at 19 years of age in 1975 and listened to ZZ Top on an 8Track tape player. Absolutely fantastic!
NJ to New Mexico in 72.
Tres Hombres,
No doubt ! LOL
If you went by while I was in school, junior year, at Cottage Grove High School, you passed within two hundred yards of me. I had Fandango in my 8 track box in my van. Of course I may have been out at the lake instead.
What were the speakers like ?
@@Bluepilled-c5t
Regular car speakers I got from a junkyard. They worked very well.
Pure down and out roadhouse.
81 rears old and still LOVE it.
LOL Doc adding the brass parts makes it sound like a Batman fight scene
Bingo!
That's insane I was thinking that as well as I am a big 60s Batman fan!
the horns sound utterly ridiculous - like high school band level arrangement
@@davedarling6512 i thought exactly the same. Doesn’t work.
Hard to imagine this ... but the Tonite Show Band ruined this piece.
Dusty had a wicked voice and seldom got to show it off. Billy's voice has more character and was the go to for most of their stuff. But man Dusty had some power in his pipes!
I thought Dusty sounded great in this performance. Just like the record.
I was about to post the same thing. Powerful voice!
Ooh ok ok
Goin down to Mexico!! 💪🏽😎🎸
Dusty was the lead singer in his brother’s band prior to ZZ Top......he can sing.....Dusty and Frank are a little lazy and didn’t offer and resistance to anyone who offered to do more of the work.....😂 true story. Once they got a wheel berry full of money they just wanted to relax and Billy had to do most of the work and song writing. Billy is a genius and a lot smarter than the other two.....Frank lives right outside of Pecan Grove Plantation in Richmond, Tx and I lived in that subdivision for years and saw Frank running up and down Pitts Rd on his golf cart. His wife was beautiful and they drove separate golf carts. My daughters went to school with his twin boys.....
Definitely one of my favorite bands of all time. Saw them live many times, and watched this live when it happened!!
We got to see them on their Rio Grande Mud Tour with Disguised Marshall Amps - Not a large crowd 30-40 people so that we could meet them
Billy keeps looking over like "are you guys playing the same song as us?"
😂
I remember when this aired, my dad came to my room and told me "John's boy's(Frank) band is on Carson". Dad wasn't happy about the house band and kept saying"Doc needs to shut the hell up and listen". ZZTop was my first concert several years before that. My uncle lived next to John Beard out in East Tawakoni and when my parents took trips, they would usually take us out there. During one of my stays out there, my uncle took me and my cousin with him and John to a bar in Oak Cliff to see them. That's one of my favorite memories.
Is that bar still there?
i said the exact same thing... he may be a fan, but that was discourteous
I agree with your Dad. The performance was great, without the horn section jumping all over the band. Its clear they really don't know the material they are trying to accompany.
Definitely could have done without Doc and the band. ZZTop doesn’t need back up!
I just said the same as your Dad about Doc. WTH?
Saw them multiple times over the years. Loudest band I've ever heard on tour. My ears are still ringing. Deguello was my all time favorite ZZ Top album.
I saw ZZ on New Years Eve in Ft. Worth Texas back in the mid 1970s...........my ears rang for three days.......but made sense at the time............LOL
Never heard ZZ live. But Rush in an arena was absolutely deafening. At a shack, no problem. But I guess it's rock and roll.
I was introduced to ZZ Top when I heard their Deguello album, and it is GREAT. Love these guys and was greatly saddened when Dusty passed.
Ha. I saw them when I was 17 and all I remember is how loud it was
Saw the "Worldwide Texas Tour" (Fandango) tour with all the animals on stage. Left with a headache. Felt sorry for the animals.
I recorded this on VHS, when it first aired & watched it 1000 times. Haven't seen it in maybe 30 years, but remember everything about it. From Billy flubbing the beginning of Sharp Dressed Man, to Doc's wide-eyed expression when they disappear. I sing Tush in a band & because of this performance, I always add "No, no" after "not alone". Thanks for posting this. I'm gonna save it & watch it another 1000 times!
I could have done without the horns.
@@Vetriot6971 exactly. Doc’s band came in at the wrong time. They finally got synced up.
Nice post! My band also plays Tush as well as Beer Drinkers & Hellraisers, & La Grange....always fun to throw some ZZ Top into your setlist!!! Cheers!
You are in a band and you think Billy flubbed the beginning? Hmmm
@@bkvike i agree....there's no way, the Johnny Carson band threw him off. 🤣
I was in that audience. Totally random tivket selection and I hit the jackpot.
Liar
@@kingrama2727 I'm Johnny
@@Scoleshow cool I’m Frankie
I was in that audience too, my brother and I had no clue that we were going to see ZZ Top. Waited outside for a couple of hours and got in. This is the first time I’ve seen this since that day. Wow!
Got to see them live before Dusty passed. We were in a small hall, second row, center stage. We were so close we could see their playlists taped to the base of their mic stands. It amazed me how three guys could sound like a six-man band. Awesome night.
Dusty was a great vocalist as well as a musician !!
I saw them in a stadium and in a honky-tonk. Great show either way!
Let me see…1 race track, 1 stadium, 4 arenas, and best of all, one recording studio. Nicest guys n the world. They’ve deserved every bit of the success they’ve enjoyed.
A good friend called them “da three noisy boys from Texas!” 🔥
@jamesspalten5977 not sure why you say that. Dusty was both a great musician AND a vocalists!
Oh my sweet love took me to their concert for my birthday and God they were so good. Front and center of the stage. This even gives me chills. What a great band!
First time on national tv and they rock the pink hats, pink pickups and pink cords. Innovators … Legends.
ZZTO- simply the best. Sharp Dressed Man, Gorgeous Jimmy Garvin and Precious. ❤❤❤
The good Ol' AWA.
Awesome, that was definitely live back then! My favorite band to this day and I'm in my late 60's
@@dindrmindr626 It was live,Carson was live back then , I saw Hendrix on Carson and his amplifier started giving him problems and they kept playing while they changed it out
@@dindrmindr626. Wrong.
@@dindrmindr626 He pointed at Carson for a second then resumed playing
@@dindrmindr626 Have you ever played an instrument, guitar or trumpet or been in a band, there are places in music where the lead or the bass or rythem are not playing or are taking a rest , Dusty Hill was a great bass player, and he was playing that bass , his brother was a great guitar player that played all over Texas, Rocky Hill
Top rocks 🎧
I know most purists prefer the bluesier ‘70s ZZ Top, but their ‘80s synth era and the visual image they came up with was utterly brilliant and perfect for MTV.
They were on top of the world after Eliminator and Afterburner.
Agree 💯
They had some of the best videos on MTV, back when MTV played music 🎶 🎵
Wait.......MTV played music?
@@Soxruleyanksdrool
Ha ha, yeah, believe it or not. 🤣🤣
I enjoy both '70s ZZ Top and '80s Music Video ZZ Top.
Not lip synced. Not canned. Warts and all. Entirely enjoyable!
Plenty of warts. They didn't look happy at all.
More warts than music…yuck!
Never seen this. Awesome! Great exit and Johnny with the beard, priceless. What fun.
I grew up in Houston. Seeing ZZ Top at bars and private parties before they became famous was phenomenal
Same, but in nearby Austin.
I saw SRV dozens of times at small venues
ZZ as well
☮️
@@johnthonig1692 I sat with Dusty at Houlihans and tipped a few
@@johnthonig1692
I used to work with them. As an engineer for LD Systems . In fact in 2000 they were practicing in our shop. (Dusty’s wife had just divorced him , and took the house in SanLeon where their practice studio was. They were actually really nice fun loving guys.
RIP Dusty you are missed …
I visited their ranch once.
I made sweetlove to frank beards mother in law ....in the back of a lincoln
You get ZZ Top to finally okay playing on tv and you do your best to out play them (and fail hard)
Even after all of these years that was pretty damned awesome.
Grew up listening to these guys, they never disappointed!
You and I grew up in the best of times!
Billy, Frank and the always cool Dusty RIP ...
One of the greatest bands that has ever existed.
GOD BLESS'EM !
I remember watching this back in the 80's . Doc , and the boys blew it.
Literally.
ZZ Top didn’t but the band did.Why add stuff if it’s not on the record,
Worse, they were making fun of the band with Doc in that stupid fake beard
The whole production was so good. ZZ Top were great, of course, and the Tonight show band , with Doc the beard, and then Johnny in the beard... Incredible. RIP Dusty.
@@johnharvey5381
Ya ,this post is a doofus ! The production by doc , SUCKED
Doc and Johnny with the beards...😂
Yeah, and the only one without a beard is the drummer whose last name is... Beard.
@@HomebrewStew No kidding? People have only been pointing this out for about 40 years.
@@johnbettmann1404 lol are you serious
@@johnbettmann1404 shut up
I noticed that beard thing years ago lol, kinda ironic isn’t it?
I guess people always come to these videos for fond remembrances so I will remain silent lol. But separately Johnny is the King and ZZTop rocks 🎸
Always a big sound with just a drummer a base player and lead guitar player.
What a catalog of music over the year’s.
What a delight...Yes we're Texas Proud of ZZ
Thanks for sharing. Sharing is caring. What an great thing this is. Developing their sound. And the steps. Lol. Love these guys❤
I miss real late night television. ZZ Top 😎
They are showing its reruns on one of the channels on TV however if they put him back on prime-time heed smoke all three Network
@@Frank-sr1dz totally agree! Thanks brother 😎
@@MrBinnskinny ✌️✌️✌️
Just good entertainment no politics
Me too. I now go to bed at 10!
Nothing like a horn section to bugger up a classic that never had a horn section. What a balls-up.
I can understand needing accompaniment, but that arrangement was out in left field.
@@gdavidelliottwasn't even in the same ballpark!
First time I saw ZZ Top was Nov 1, 1981, when they opened for The Rolling Stones here in Dallas at the Cotton Bowl. The Fabulous Thunderbirds were also on the bill. I was a kid and couldn't hear a damn thing in school for the next 4 days, but I remember every moment of that concert. THANK YOU to this #JohnnyCarson channel for sharing this fantastic flashback of the boys at their height.
I was at that concert too! I was 23 at the time and working at Texas Instruments.
I was there as well.
Great times
I still have the ticket stub amongst the 250-300 I have accumulated.
☮️
I saw ZZ Top perform at the Cotton Bowl back in '81. They were a backup band for the Rolling Stones, and the The Fabulous Thunderbirds were a backup band for ZZ Top! Man, them were the days... ;-)
I was there as well
☮️
I never saw the Stones. But saw ZZ top 3xs and Billy Gibbons solo once. One of the best shows I ever saw was Santana,ZZ top, Steve Miller. Great music times and memories.
Wow! I would have loved to see that!
I saw the same concert at the Astrodome!
I was at the Astrodome concert. Fun times!
I remember watching this Carson episode on television!!! 😃 Such memories. 🥹
I saw ZZ Top open for the Rolling Stones, after the Fabulous Thunderbirds.. in Houston in '82. THAT was a pretty good concert my friend. Now Billy Gibbons is a neighbor with me here in Vegas. He just helped open the 2nd Sand Dollar Saloon downtown at the Plaza Hotel. He is a real authentic guitar rock n roll hero to me. even at 71 RIP Dusty
*That's awesome. Do you ever see him around Vegas (or the surrounding areas)?* 👍🏼
Saw them just a few months before Dusty died
can I stay all night ? just a sleepover ! invite Billy to !
That was a cool tour . The stones were changing up their openers city to city to give the local band the exposure.
Yes! In fact ZZ Top was in the middle of touring Europe when the Stones asked them if they would like to open for them in Houston. They stopped everything and came home and did it!@@tolfan4438
Truly skilled musicians all the way around. Things were coming off the tracks early on but they all found the groove and then knocked Tush out of the park. What true live music sounds like. It's not always perfect. It can't be, but if you trust your skill and feel it works.
In the summer of 2002, I worked at an outdoor concert venue where ZZTop were playing. I got to hang out with two of them backstage.
They were two of the most decent, down-to-earth people I'd ever met. I'm not a huge fan of their music but I am a fan of the men themselves.
Update: They will be playing at a concert venue in my city this week. I won't be attending, I lack funds.
I heard that from other people, they were great players but humble and laid back
That was painful to watch.
Yep met gibbons at a car show had my picture taken with him .stood behind him while hes autographing ❤
Texans...
@@fastinbulvis2223, stop doing hemorrhoid surgery in the mirror..
Problem solved..
Doesn't that just make you smile and be-bop the entire time? ZZ Top was indeed at the top!
One of the best bands to see live and Little Feat were always amazing
That wasn't a slip up on his part. That could have been anything, monitors, doc, who knows, and who cares. These guys are world-class musicians and they've been around to long to deserve this. They rock live and I've seen them at least ten times in Texas, Colorado, and California. Each time putting on a hell of a show. RIP sir!
Great little band from Texas!!!
I saw them live at a large concert in the Dallas Convention Center around this time in their career, and they performed so perfectly the entire night, especially Billy. I could not believe how perfectly the played and sang.
1st concert. 1974 Natchitoches Louisiana. Was suppose to see them at the Northwestern Colosseum, but due to a power failure, the concert venue was changed to the fine arts theater. Me and my friend was at the handrail 6 feet away. The pearly gates was in play. It was a life changing experience. Billy, I hope you read this and remember, but if you don't, I can understand why. You have been around the world and been a inspiration to countless numbers of musicians.
Pretty brutal.
Definitely one of the performances of all time.
What!???
They finished strong tho, I thought Tush sounded pretty good
I don't get it, was Doc stealing the spotlight, or was that part of the disappearing trick?
100% this was one of the performances, haha
This is truly a gem of an appearance! What a performance and collaboration! Fantastic! Who would of known ZZ Top and trumpets in their music! Very cool exit! And to see Johnny and Doc get into it! They were so cool too! I've never seen this, thank you Official Johnny Carson!
Never been a HUGE fan of ZZ, but this is one of the best live television performances I've seen. Yet, it's so simple. No flashy lights...auto tune, lyp-synching. Just rock and roll.
Listen to their first 2 albums...
They really weren’t even close to tight in this set.
Fandango 1975. Enough said!
The Beastie Boys are great that's why you can't knock them. It's not their fault they did it their way and zz top went along with this. Zz top is great and so is beasties it's just how the performances came out. They all did great with what they had.
Lol seen them 12 times live. Billy Gibbons top 5 guitarists ever.
This is awesome , I don't remember them being on Carson. Killer , thanks for posting this!✌️🤘
They were on Johnny Carson another time playing steel guitars. I saw that at the time, don't know if there is a video of it floating around.
@@Later2u Really? Had no idea , thanks!👍✌️
still in 2024 this rocks. Billy looks awesome
The house band screwed this up...
They sure did. Definitely ruins the song
Someone didn't get in where they fit in for sure. The timing and even the progression was off
Absolutely
Horns suck balls 😂
Misses the point of the term "power trio". Reminds me of when Letterman had Motorhead on; at one point they had the house band backing Lemmy on Johnny B. Goode. Clueless directing at some level or other.
The Tonight Show Band is Probably the Best Big Band Today But I wish they would have let ZZ Topp Jam Without the Brass Accompaniment!!
I saw them in Saginaw Michigan in a small venue & they gave it ALL!! When these guys go to work THEY WORK, No matter the Venue!!
Dusty Hill is Gone & ZZ Topp is no More, But They are FANTASTIC!!
Rest in Peace, Dusty!! Or in Great Amplitude, whichever Y'all Prefer!!
Thanks for the Memory!!
Doc was great. ZZ probably thought it'd be fun having horns. Not meant for release, but pretty cool for a show. It was Carson, after all.
@@paulwooton4390 Maybe so, Paul!!
@@paulwooton4390 I think doc screwed it up, but to be fair it might have been a lack of practice time to effectively realize the idea of collaboration, and knowing the house musicians were of such high quality that they could eventually figure something to fake, which happened in the last song with a simple no risk riff.
I remember how huge Eliminator was when it came out in the 80's. Pretty cool Johnny and Doc even got into the act lol.
1:27
I didn't realize how lucky I was to see ZZ Top at the Surf Ballroom when I was 16 in 2011. I grew up listening to these guys on my folk's stereo and now my kids will do the same.
Super fun. ZZ Top with the house band. They sounded great. What a performance.
Nooo…the horns were offbeat and sounded bad
@@matslarsson3452 At times. But then, at times Frank, Dusty and Billy all sounded bad as well: this was live along with all the flubs one would expect from the first major TV appearance.
@@matslarsson3452 You can never enjoy these talk show performances on TH-cam if you listen as a critic. These bands probably flew in for the Tonight Show. They probably were able to rehearse once with the band after a sound check. Given those circumstances, I was not expecting mid-world tour perfection.
@@matslarsson3452 Yeah, Doc Serverinson backing up ZZ Top seems weird.
@@CaesarDarias a good thing you didn't expect it because you sure as hell didn't get it.
I've only been to one rock concert and it was these fellas and man, they did not disappoint! They were and are my favorite band ever! To this day their show in Wichita Kansas during the Antenna Tour is the best I've ever seen, hands down. They made it personal, had dancing girls on mobile catwalks swinging out over the crowd, the giant exploding radio, their equipment changes and of course the spinning guitars (iconic). They didn't miss a thing. Love the band, the presentation and of course the raw, blues, rockin, honky sound! Rock and Red Dirt forever!
Texas Boys were the Real Deal..I love the guitar driven fun!! Awesome live
One? Really, live in a hole?
If you’ve only ever been to one concert, I guess it would have been the best you ever saw.
✌🏼😎
Antenna is my favorite headphone album. My older brother gave me the Tres Hombres 8Track. Years later, he was regretting it. The band was originally called Moving Sidewalks. They did a song, that reminded me so much of Hendrix! It is in their Chrome, Smoke, and Bar-B-Que box set.
@@hankgarza4975 In a hole?, no sir just secluded.
Seen them several times over forty years and they don't disappoint.
Even years later, Johnny & zz top still rock !!!
That was the golden age of music and late night TV
Was watching on TV, came to the laptop for the comments and wasn't disappointed : )
ZZ Top slayed. The fake beards on Doc and Jonny priceless. 😂
I was never blown away within the first minute of a concert like I was watching ZZ TOP.
If I remember correctly, this was a Friday night show. And I was stoked the whole day waiting for them to come on. Johnny and Doc's schtick was a real hoot. A memorable day!
I remember this show with ZZ Top on Johnny Carson!
Great old days of life span!! JOHNNY CARSON AND ZZ TOP 😂🎸🎶🎶🎶
Damn the boys sound good. Dusty's voice was absolutely incredible here and that slide was perfect! ✌️🖤🤘
Billy Gibbons is the singer
@@samsmith4216 Dusty sings Tush in this video too lol. U must not have watched the whole thing lol
Dusty's performance really caught my attention. He had a great ear.
Every time I saw them live they were flawless. This was a bit of a mess. It sounded to me like Doc and his band kinda got in their way and made them drag a little.
Their first four albums (1971-75) are pure blues gold.
Absolutely
Always liked that stuff WAY more than their 80's hits.
@@FOH3663 Yeah, it felt more genuine and the songs back then were killer tracks!
Pretty awesome seeing a band *actually* playing live on television
Wow, major nostalgia high. This brought tears to my eyes because it brought back a time when things were working the way that they should. Also ZZ Top, always cool, but Doc also F'ing cool!
Thank you for posting this!
3 of my most favorite performers, ZZ Top, Johnny & the Doc with his band getting down...... Outstanding!
Mr. Carson was a pioneer of damn good entertainment on late night TV! These douche nozzles they have today are totally useless!
These wingnut wannabes today are not on the same planet as the "KING" Johnny Carson
There all TOOLS to anything anti republican! But then they’re also told what to believe by the people that run the networks!
Exactly right , he had more talent and class in his pinky finger than these unfunny lame hack's on now!
Douche nozzle lol yea today’s host are way too involved in politics being politically correct live in the land of the offended not funny don’t no how to make fun of themselves Johnny Carson was is the epitome of what a late host should strive for but I will say this he looks damn cool along with doc wearing their beards
@@randallreid424 If Johnny Carson was around today, he'd be denounced as woke. He gave The Tonight Show over to Harry Belafonte to promote leftists causes in 1968. th-cam.com/video/bk49xNDC40w/w-d-xo.html
Dude on the horn really must have liked hearing himself play.
That "dude" was the famous Doc Severinsen. Unfortunately, for this performance, he and his "Big Band-era" mates should have sat it out. "Sometimes a man has to know his limitations." ---Clint Eastwood
@@Marc-js8rx Famous? I guess. I've heard the name before, but I wouldn't have been able to pick him out of a lineup.
@@geekverve Yeah well you haven't sold 50 million albums either, did you?
@@KB-ke3fi Don't need to to know he was stepping on the music, here.
Never heard of him either, 50 million albums sold or not, his performance sucked.
I can't believe how REAL that beard looked on Johnny at the end! Whoever the makeup artist was that did that should have gotten an award. Doc, not so much though LOL!
When they cut back to Johnny in the beard and the shades, I laughed out loud.....which is more than I can say about any late night shows on these days.
I did too!
Amen To THAT!!!
That was a good makeup job in just a few minutes
Great show. We miss you, Dusty...
OH MAN! The HORNS are like NAILS on a Chaulkboard!
Seeing ZZ at the Shubert Theater 1973 in Philly was rock on steroids 👍👍 saw them 3-4 times with Uriah Heep and Queen in 73-74 east coast tours
One of my favorites!! Fool for your Stockins' and LaGrange are my personal favorites!!! RIP Dusty🙏❤
This is one of those historical videos that everyone really needs to see!
Saw them in concert at age 19 1975, REO Speedwagon opened for them.
Freaking rock and roll at its best. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️