Legs

The Zoo Crew is spinning "Legs" by ZZ Top from their iconic 1983 album Eliminator, and Zoo Freaks, get ready for some wild trivia about this track! One juicy tidbit comes from the song’s creation process: it was developed in drummer Frank Beard’s home studio near Houston, Texas, with engineer Linden Hudson playing a key role. Hudson crafted a distinctive synthesizer sound by routing the synth through a noise gate triggered by sixteenth-note hi-hat samples from a drum machine, giving "Legs" its pulsing, danceable beat at 125 beats per minute. Interestingly, Hudson’s contributions sparked controversy—he later sued the band, claiming he was under-credited for his work on the album, including co-writing the song "Thug." The case settled in 1986 with Hudson receiving $600,000 and songwriting credit for "Thug." Another fun fact: the iconic music video for "Legs," directed by Tim Newman, won the MTV Video Music Award for Best Group Video. It featured the famous Eliminator Girls—Jeana Tomasino, Kymberly Herrin, and Danièle Arnaud—who transformed a shy shoe store clerk, played by Wendy Frazier, into a confident woman. The video’s 1933 Ford coupe, dubbed the Eliminator, became a cultural icon, appearing in ZZ Top’s videos for "Gimme All Your Lovin’" and "Sharp Dressed Man" too.

The "Legs" video shoot itself has some colorful stories. Kymberly Herrin, one of the Eliminator Girls and a former Playboy Playmate, recalled rushing to the audition with a cold and no makeup, yet still landing the role. She became friends with ZZ Top frontman Billy Gibbons, who described her as a "groovy hippie chick from Santa Barbara" and kept in touch with her for years. Herrin returned for ZZ Top’s 1985 video "Sleeping Bag." The video was filmed in Valencia, California, in front of a Thrifty store and a Kinney Shoe store, with one fan on social media recalling watching the shoot. Feminist groups criticized the song’s lyrics for objectifying women, but the band brushed it off, noting their earlier hit "Tush" from 1975 drew less flak despite similar themes—likely because ZZ Top’s fame skyrocketed with Eliminator. The album’s shift to synth-heavy sounds also stirred debate among fans, with bassist Dusty Hill admitting in a Classic Rock interview that some gave them “a little shit” for straying from their blues-rock roots. Still, "Legs" hit number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100, boosted by heavy MTV rotation.

Now, let’s rewind to how ZZ Top got their start. Formed in Houston, Texas, in 1969, the band consists of Billy Gibbons (vocals and guitar), Dusty Hill (bass and vocals), and Frank Beard (drums). Gibbons, born in 1949, grew up immersed in music, influenced by his father, a concert pianist and orchestra conductor. By age 14, he was playing guitar in local bands like the Saints and the Coachmen. In 1967, Gibbons formed the psychedelic rock band Moving Sidewalks, which opened for Jimi Hendrix and released the regional hit "99th Floor." Meanwhile, Hill and Beard, born in 1949 and 1949 respectively, played together in Dallas-based bands like American Blues. In 1968, Moving Sidewalks disbanded when Gibbons’ bandmates were drafted, and he connected with Hill and Beard to form ZZ Top. The trio took their name as a nod to blues legends like ZZ Hill and B.B. King. They honed their raw, bluesy sound in Texas clubs, blending boogie, rock, and southern swagger.

ZZ Top’s early years were gritty. They released ZZ Top’s First Album in 1971, followed by Rio Grande Mud in 1972, but it was 1973’s Tres Hombres, with the hit "La Grange," that broke them nationally. Their relentless touring, including the epic Worldwide Texas Tour from 1976 to 1977, cemented their reputation for wild live shows featuring cowboy hats, long beards (ironically, drummer Beard sports a mustache), and a larger-than-life stage presence. By the time Eliminator dropped in 1983, ZZ Top had evolved, embracing synthesizers and new wave influences while keeping their blues core. The album’s success—selling over 10 million copies—made them global stars, thanks to MTV and those unforgettable videos. Their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004 and honors like “Official Heroes for the State of Texas” reflect their enduring legacy.

For Zoo Freaks wanting to dive deeper, check out ZZ Top’s official website for tour dates, merch, and news. Connect with them on social media via Facebook, Instagram, and X, where they share updates like the 40th anniversary gold vinyl edition of Eliminator announced in 2023. Fans can also join the vibrant ZZ Top Fan Club on Facebook, a community for diehards swapping stories and memorabilia. For more fan-driven content, visit Discogs to explore their discography or Metal Storm for lyrics and forums. Whether you’re grooving to "Legs" or digging into their roots, ZZ Top’s larger-than-life vibe keeps the Zoo Crew and their fans rocking.