Heard It On The X

The song Heard It On The X by ZZ Top, from their 1975 album Fandango!, is a tribute to the powerful Mexican "border blaster" radio stations, like XERF and XERB, which used high-wattage transmitters to broadcast music across the U.S. with fewer restrictions than American stations. These stations, with call letters starting with "X," played an eclectic mix of blues, country, and rock, influencing the band’s sound. In a 1985 Spin magazine interview, Billy Gibbons noted that the stations’ unrestricted playlists, featuring everything from preachers to blues shows, shaped their musical roots, with the song’s opening line, “Do you remember back in 1966? Country Jesus, hillbilly blues,” nodding to those influences. Dusty Hill added that these stations sold airtime to anyone, even joking about selling “prayer cloths autographed by Jesus.” Gibbons revealed that Heard It On The X was later played on XERF and XERB, completing a full-circle moment when they “heard it on the X.” Fans on platforms like Reddit have celebrated the song’s nod to Wolfman Jack, a legendary DJ tied to these stations, with one user recalling how his broadcasts introduced them to blues icons like Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf.

Another layer of trivia comes from a fan comment on Songfacts, where a listener from San Jose in 1976 described hearing a unique version of the song on KSJO radio. This extended cut doubled the instrumental bridge, with part of it altered to sound like it was coming from a cheap AM transistor radio, complete with phase-shifting effects. Though this version was never officially released, it left an impression on listeners who caught it live on air. On X, fans recently marked the 50th anniversary of Fandango!, with posts like one from @MauriceMcFadd17 praising the song’s gritty studio vibe and raw energy, calling it a classic alongside Tush. The song’s live performances also stand out, with Gibbons and Hill often crossing their hands in an “X” gesture to hype the crowd, as noted in a 2011 Ultimate Classic Rock article.

ZZ Top formed in Houston, Texas, in 1969, evolving from Billy Gibbons’ earlier band, Moving Sidewalks, which disbanded that same year. Gibbons, a blues enthusiast inspired by artists like B.B. King and John Lee Hooker, teamed up with drummer Frank Beard and bassist Dusty Hill to create a trio rooted in blues and boogie rock. Their chemistry was immediate, blending Gibbons’ growling guitar riffs with Hill and Beard’s tight rhythm section. They signed with London Records in 1970 and released ZZ Top’s First Album in 1971, but it was their third album, Tres Hombres (1973), with hits like La Grange, that broke them into the mainstream. By the time Fandango! dropped in 1975, their half-live, half-studio experiment showcased their electrifying stage presence and studio polish, cementing their reputation as “That Little Ol’ Band from Texas.” Their sly humor, matching outfits, and long beards (except for Beard, ironically) became iconic, especially during their Worldwide Texas Tour (1976–77), which featured extravagant stage setups with live cattle and longhorn skulls.

You can follow ZZ Top on their official website, where they share tour updates, merchandise, and news about projects like their 2022 album RAW. Their social media presence includes Facebook, Instagram, and X, where they post about performances, anniversaries, and even their branded bourbon whiskey. Fans connect on sites like TrezHombres, a dedicated fan community with forums and band history, and the ZZ Top Fan Club on Facebook, where enthusiasts share memorabilia, concert stories, and song discussions. These platforms keep the Zoo Freaks’ spirit alive, spinning Heard It On The X for the next generation of rock lovers.