What do you do to follow up the biggest hit album of your career? Umm, try to replicate it, right? That is exactly what ZZ Top did with Afterburner.

It really was Eliminator Part II. The synthesizer driven period continued with it’s release in the fall of ’85. Afterburner was a another huge commercial success featuring the hits, Sleeping Bag, Velcro Fly, Can’t Stop Rockin’, Rough Boy, and Stages.

On June 3, 1986, that “lil’ ol’ band from Texas” returned to Portland for their 5th appearance at the Civic Center. ZZ brought along their futuristic melding of blues guitar and dance beats to the stage for a sold-out show.

Two beards and a Beard, the music they made in the 80s defined the decade for many (including this guy) as significantly as Michael, Prince and Madonna.

 

Here's what they played!

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Wow! We found ZZ Top performing live on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson just a couple weeks before the show here in Portland. The play Sharp Dressed Man and Tush backed by the legendary trumpeter Doc Severinsen and The Tonight Show band. Johnny and Doc put on long beards in their honor...this is cool!

ZZ Top are back in Blimpville with John Fogerty this summer! These iconic artists are co-headlining on the Blues and Bayou TourIt lands at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion in Gilford on June 22nd.

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