Billy Ethridge: The Forgotten Member of ZZ Top

Publish date: 2024-06-03

Billy Ethridge was a musician and political activist who played a key role in the early history of ZZ Top, one of the most successful and enduring rock bands of all time. However, his contributions have been largely overshadowed by the fame and popularity of the band’s current members, Billy Gibbons, Frank Beard, and Dusty Hill. In this article, we will explore the life and career of Billy Ethridge, and how he helped shape the sound and style of ZZ Top.

Early Years

Billy Ethridge was born in Drew County, Arkansas, in 1930. He grew up in a musical family and learned to play various instruments, including piano, guitar, and bass. He was influenced by blues, country, and rock and roll music, and developed a passion for performing and composing. He moved to Houston, Texas, in the late 1950s, where he joined the local music scene and met other aspiring musicians.

The American Blues

In 1967, Ethridge joined a band called The American Blues, which featured Frank Beard on drums and Lanier Greig on keyboards. The band played a mix of psychedelic rock and blues, and released two albums: The American Blues Is Here (1968) and Do Their Thing (1969). However, the band did not achieve much commercial success or recognition, and soon disbanded.

ZZ Top

In 1969, Ethridge and Beard joined forces with Billy Gibbons, who had just left his previous band, Moving Sidewalks. The trio formed a new band called ZZ Top, which was inspired by the names of blues musicians Z.Z. Hill and B.B. King. The band adopted a hard rock sound with blues influences, and began to perform in clubs and festivals around Texas. They also recorded some demos for London Records, which would later become their debut album, ZZ Top’s First Album (1971).

However, Ethridge’s tenure in ZZ Top was short-lived. He left the band in late 1969 or early 1970, due to creative differences with Gibbons. He was replaced by Dusty Hill, who had previously played with Beard in The American Blues. Hill’s arrival marked the beginning of the classic lineup of ZZ Top that would last for more than five decades.

Later Years

After leaving ZZ Top, Ethridge continued to pursue his musical career as a solo artist and a session musician. He also became involved in politics and social activism, supporting causes such as civil rights, environmentalism, and anti-war movements. He collaborated with various artists, such as Sam & Dave, Frank Zappa, and Willie Nelson. He also released several albums under his own name or as Billy E., such as Billy E. (1972), The World Is Yours (1974), and Peaceful Revolution (1980).

Ethridge died in 1994 at the age of 64. He was buried in Lake Village Cemetery in Lake Village, Arkansas.

Legacy

Billy Ethridge may not be as well-known as his former bandmates in ZZ Top, but he was an important part of the band’s early history and development. He contributed to the band’s original sound and style, which would later evolve into their signature blend of blues rock and boogie rock. He also influenced other musicians with his versatile skills and eclectic tastes.

According to Ultimate Classic Rock1, Ethridge was one of the “other three members” of ZZ Top who deserve more recognition for their role in the band’s success. He was also praised by Billy Gibbons himself, who said that Ethridge was “a great musician” who “brought a lot to the table”1.

Billy Ethridge was a talented musician and a passionate activist who left his mark on the world of rock music. He was a forgotten member of ZZ Top, but he should not be forgotten by fans and historians alike.