Dust My Broom

The Zoo Crew is spinning the classic blues-rock tune "Dust My Broom" by ZZ Top from their 1979 album Degüello, and the Zoo Freaks are loving this gritty track. This song is a cover of Robert Johnson’s 1936 blues standard "I Believe I’ll Dust My Broom," which was later popularized by Elmore James in 1951 with his iconic slide guitar riff. ZZ Top’s version, featured on their sixth studio album, brings a heavier, modern rock edge with Billy Gibbons’ searing slide guitar and a beefed-up rhythm section led by Dusty Hill and Frank Beard. Interestingly, early pressings of Degüello credited the song to Elmore James, but later editions corrected this to acknowledge Robert Johnson as the original writer. The band’s take on the song became a live staple during their high-energy shows in the late ’70s and ’80s, often electrifying audiences at venues ranging from small blues clubs to massive rock festivals.

One piece of trivia about "Dust My Broom" comes from its role in showcasing ZZ Top’s deep respect for blues roots. Billy Gibbons, a lifelong blues enthusiast, was inspired by the raw emotion and slide guitar techniques of legends like Johnson and James. In a 1985 interview with SPIN, Gibbons mentioned how the band aimed to “pay homage” to these blues pioneers while infusing their own Texas swagger. The track’s drum arrangement, crafted by Frank Beard, also stands out—described on Best Music Sheet as having “punchy accents and an infectious backbeat” that locks in with Dusty Hill’s bass to give the song its driving force. This rhythm section’s chemistry helped make the song a fan favorite, with crowds going wild for Gibbons’ howling slide work during live performances.

ZZ Top got their start in Houston, Texas, in 1969, when guitarist and vocalist Billy Gibbons, fresh from the breakup of his psychedelic band Moving Sidewalks, teamed up with bassist Dusty Hill and drummer Frank Beard. The trio quickly gelled, blending Texas blues, boogie, and hard rock into a signature sound. Their first single, "Salt Lick," released in 1969, hinted at their raw energy, but it was their 1971 debut album, ZZ Top’s First Album, that set the stage for their rise. Managed by Bill Ham and recorded with engineer Robin Hood Brians, the band leaned into their blues influences, delivering humor-laced lyrics and distorted guitar riffs. By the time they released Rio Grande Mud in 1972, their single "Francine" charted, and their reputation for electrifying live shows began to grow. The band’s breakthrough came with 1973’s Tres Hombres, featuring the hit "La Grange," which solidified their place in rock history.

The band’s early years were marked by relentless touring and a commitment to their craft. Dusty Hill, who started playing bass at 13 in Dallas bands like the Warlocks and American Blues, brought a no-nonsense approach to the rhythm section. Frank Beard, a seasoned drummer from the same Dallas scene, joined Hill in Houston to form ZZ Top with Gibbons. Their shared love for blues and rock, combined with Gibbons’ knack for songwriting and arranging, helped them stand out. By 1979, when Degüello was released, the band had adopted their iconic look—long beards, sunglasses, and hats—cementing their image as “that little ol’ band from Texas.” Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, ZZ Top has sold over 30 million records and remains a cultural force.

You can keep up with ZZ Top on their official website, where they share tour dates, new releases like their 2022 album RAW, and details about their Tres Hombres bourbon whiskey. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and X for updates, throwback photos, and posts about their legacy, like their 2019 documentary That Little Ol’ Band From Texas. Fans can connect on the ZZ Top Fans Facebook group, a lively community sharing concert memories and rare photos. Another great fan resource is ZZTopFanClub.com, which offers exclusive merch and fan-driven content for diehard Zoo Freaks vibing to tracks like "Dust My Broom."