Book review: Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers – A ZZ Top Guide by Neil Daniels

Soundcheck Books

I can give this book no higher compliment than telling you that part way through I downloaded (yes, legally) a whole lot of ZZ Top – not merely the greatest hits, which I have listened to for years, but I went deep.

I guess I would describe myself as a casual fan of ZZ Top, a band that most fans of rock music will know from those ‘80’s videos with “the car”- oh, and those beards. What they actually are is a Southern boogie band from Texas that became known around the world, a band that has sold in excess of 50 million albums and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (ignore Gene Simmons- it is still a massive honour).

If you have had the experience of a Neil Daniels book before you will know that you get a great insight into the chosen subject and “Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers- A ZZ Top Guide” is no different. What it does is exactly what it says on the cover- it is a guide into one of America’s best loved bands from their inception in 1969 to date.

Everything you could ever want to know about ZZ Top is contained within the pages of “Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers”. From the bands influences to those they have in turned influenced, a look at their studio output, stories from their vast gigging history and some great photo’s from across the 45 years they have been together. Add to this a sprinkle of trivia about the band and what you have is an enjoyable, and informative, read. They should teach this stuff in schools… ****

Review by Nikk Gunns

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

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12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)