Can’t Stop Rockin’

The Zoo Crew, those groovy hippie DJs at THE ZOO radio station, are spinning the high-energy track "Can’t Stop Rockin’" by ZZ Top from their 1985 album Afterburner, firing up the Zoo Freaks in the audience. This song, a pulsating blend of blues-rock and 80s synth, has a cool tidbit tied to its creation: it was partly built from leftover material from the sessions for ZZ Top’s mega-hit album Eliminator. According to sources, the band, unable to work with their usual engineer due to scheduling conflicts, dusted off some unused riffs, including parts of "Can’t Stop Rockin’," to craft this track. It’s got that signature ZZ Top boogie but cranked up with a futuristic, synth-heavy vibe that was perfect for the MTV era.

Another fun fact about "Can’t Stop Rockin’" is its brush with pop culture. The song was used as the opening theme for the 1993 film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III, giving it a quirky spot in 90s nostalgia. ZZ Top even highlighted this in a 2019 X post, asking fans to guess which 1993 blockbuster featured the track, with options like Jurassic Park and Mrs. Doubtfire thrown in for fun. The song’s hard-hitting rhythm and catchy hooks made it a natural fit for the action-packed turtle flick, cementing its place as a memorable piece of the band’s 80s output.

ZZ Top, the iconic blues-rock trio from Houston, Texas, got their start in 1969 when guitarist and vocalist Billy Gibbons formed the band after his previous group, Moving Sidewalks, disbanded. Inspired by blues legends like B.B. King and Z.Z. Hill, Gibbons came up with the name ZZ Top by tweaking “Z.Z. King” to sound snappier, as he felt “a king is going to the top.” He recruited bassist Dusty Hill and drummer Frank Beard, and the trio quickly gelled, releasing ZZ Top’s First Album in 1971. Their raw, bluesy sound, infused with Texas swagger, gained traction with 1973’s Tres Hombres, featuring the hit “La Grange.” By the 80s, they reinvented themselves with albums like Eliminator and Afterburner, blending their boogie roots with synths and slick production, becoming MTV superstars with videos for songs like “Legs” and “Sharp Dressed Man.”

You can keep up with ZZ Top through their official website, where they share tour dates, merch, and news about projects like their bourbon whiskey releases. They’re active on social media, too, with their Facebook page posting about concerts and throwback photos, their Instagram showcasing tour moments and vintage vibes, and their X account engaging fans with trivia and updates. For Zoo Freaks wanting to connect with other fans, check out the ZZ Top Fans Facebook group, a lively spot for sharing love for the band’s music and legacy. There’s also Rockabilia, a fan-focused site with a huge selection of ZZ Top merch, from t-shirts to posters, celebrating their bearded, blues-rock glory.