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ZZ Top recorded the live tracks for their 1975 album, Fandango!, during this tour and showcased their prowess in exciting live audiences. On the subsequent tour, the band performed sold-out concerts in the US. The album included the boogie-driven " La Grange", which was written about a brothel in La Grange, Texas. Dan Erlewine wrote that the album "brought ZZ Top their first Top Ten record, making them stars in the process". ZZ Top released Tres Hombres in 1973, and the album's earthy and "infectious" sound were results of the propulsion from Hill and Beard's rhythm support, coupled with Gibbons' "growling" guitar tone. First decade and signature sound (1973–1982) Following their debut album, the band released Rio Grande Mud (1972), which failed commercially and the promotional tour consisted of mostly empty auditoriums. The music and songs closely reflected on ZZ Top's blues influences. With the assistance of Ham and engineer Robin Hood Brians, ZZ Top's First Album (1971) was released and saw the inclusion of the band's humor, with "barrelhouse" rhythms, distorted guitars, double entendres and innuendo. In addition to assuming the role as the band's leader, Gibbons became the main lyricist and musical arranger. They performed their first concert together at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Beaumont on February 10. After Hill moved from Dallas to Houston, ZZ Top signed with London in 1970. Unwilling to sign a recording contract, Etheridge quit the band and Dusty Hill was selected as his replacement. Due to lack of interest from record companies, ZZ Top was presented with a record deal from London Records. Immediately after the recording of "Salt Lick", Greig was replaced by bassist Billy Etheridge, a band mate of Jimmie Vaughan, and Mitchell was replaced by Frank Beard of the American Blues. They released their first single, "Salt Lick", in 1969, and side B contained the song "Miller's Farm" both songs were credited to Gibbons. ZZ Top was managed by Waxahachie-native Bill Ham, who befriended Gibbons a year earlier. The original line-up formed in Houston, Texas by Gibbons, organist Lanier Greig (died February 2013) and drummer Dan Mitchell. 1.5 Critical acclaim and retrospective releases (2004–2011).1.2 First decade and signature sound (1973–1982).As a group, ZZ Top possesses 11 gold records and 7 platinum (13 multi-platinum) records their 1983 album, Eliminator, remains the group's most commercially successful record, selling over 10 million units. ZZ Top was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. ZZ Top's musical style has changed over the years, beginning with blues-inspired rock on their early albums, then incorporating New Wave, punk rock and dance-rock, with heavy use of synthesizers. Since the release of the band's debut album in January 1971, ZZ Top has become known for its strong blues roots and humorous lyrical motifs, relying heavily on double entendres and innuendo. Etheridge's departure issued primarily from his unwillingness to be bound by a recording contract. The band and its members went through several reconfigurations throughout 1969, achieving their current form when Hill replaced bassist Billy Etheridge in February 1970, shortly before the band was signed to London Records. The band consists of guitarist and lead vocalist Billy Gibbons, bassist and co-lead vocalist Dusty Hill, and drummer Frank Beard. ZZ Top (pronounced "Zee Zee Top") is an American blues rock band formed in 1969 in Houston, Texas.