The secret sauce in ZZ Top's biggest hit album

It took original thinking to make one of the best-selling albums of an entire decade, and that’s just what ZZ Top did, although they had some help with coming up with the sound. Completely bypassing the notion that nothing new could be done with rock ‘n roll, the trio released Eliminator in 1983, an album that blended their brand of Texas boogie woogie blues rock with synth sounds and drum machines, unleashing danceble rockers that topped the charts. But there is an unsung hero in the ZZ Top story. Dig into it - and how “Sharp Dressed Man” perfectly sums up the 80’s mindset - in this episode of the Behind The Song podcast.

Music Producer: Christian Lane
Video Director: Eva Empleo

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About Janda:
Behind The Song podcast host and creator Janda Lane is an on-air host at WDRV-FM in Chicago, where she lives with her husband and podcast partner, Christian Lane, and their two cats, Ollie and Liam.

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[jeffmackovitch]

That’s the 80s. I remember being one of those young lads and idolizing these bearded guys. Nicely done 👍

[AC-ciwq]

Love this channel
Smoothly applied disc jockey voice against back drop of history and stories of the iconic subjects / absolute perfection - wish there more artists reviewed!

[bigfish]

Great reveal to how Eliminator came ta being...Thanks again Janda for your devotion to ROCK and how Linden Hudson played a part...Kuddos ta Christian 🤘🎶🤘

[katk]

Nice background. Sharp Dressed Man Definitely summed the 80's. But I love the Buffalo days too. Classic Blues Rock for the 80's..Thanks Janda and great job as always!

[randykintzley]

Nobody cooler than Billy F. That dude has a truck load of mojo.

[c.e.anderson]

KLOL Houston.
Rocked our teenage years.
If you had a 101 bumer stickker people would ask you sitting a a red light if you wanred to buy a bag.

[Elephant-wili]

'Sharp Dressed Man' and 'Legs' are about as good as it gets for great guitar playing.🎸

[DonJoyce]

Live buffalo at a concert just makes sense ... To me, at least.

[pauljbroussard]

Actually a Billy Gibbons solo album with other instruments electronic. All done with the help of Hudson!

[bobamysdad]

nice to have a presenter not ask me how I'm doin'. Researched and interesting. Tho' it's Richards, not Richard. Thatwasfor Cliff, who is a different kettle of fish.

[robertrichardson]

I think Van Halen kinda had the same vibe as ZZ Top had. Tres Hombres and Deguello are my favorites. Thanks for putting out outstanding videos about the music I love!

[BethanyWooton]

They can deny all they want to but ZZ Top the name came from 2 names of rolling papers zig-zag and topps common sense 😂😂😂