Blimp Time Hop: ZZ Top Back At Civic Center In 1980 For 2nd Time

We’re celebrating another great show that came to Portland. 40 years ago today, WBLM welcomed back ZZ Top to the Civic Center on April 6, 1980.

It was 3 years after they were the very first event and very first rock concert in the new building. This was the second of 11 ZZ shows at the CCCC from 1977 to WBLM's 30th Birthday concert in 2003.

Billy, Dusty, and Frank were touring in support of the album, Deguello. That one features the songs I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide, I Thank You and Cheap Sunglasses. It was called the Expect No Quarter tour.

April 1980 also marked ZZ Top’s first appearance in Europe, performing for the German music television show Rockpalast.

Watch that 'Little Ol' Band from Texas' perform a wicked killah Tube Snake Boogie (a year before it's release on the El Loco album) on the Rockpalast show in the video below.

They've been real good to us over the years with plenty of tour stops in Blimpville. In 2019, ZZ Top is marked 50 years in boogie business and they are still hottah than a Texas chili faht!