ZZ Top and Randy Bachman @ Darien Lake Performing Arts Center, Darien, NY 8-23-16

A night of classic rock with Rock and Roll Hall of Famers ZZ Top and last minute addition Randy Bachman graced this stage this past Tuesday night at Darien Lake. Originally scheduled with ZZ Top was Gregg Allman but due to his recent health issues, he was forced to cancel his remaining dates on this tour.

Randy Bachman and his four-piece band played a very strong 50 minute set with songs that spanned his career with the legendary Guess Who and his former band Bachman Turner Overdrive. Bachman and his bandmates took turns taking lead vocals throughout the set that included “These eyes,” “American Woman” and the fun and crowd interactive “Taking Care of Business.” I must say, the 72 year old Bachman sounded great and was spot on for the entire set. This was such a last minute addition that Bachman had to borrow a bus from the Toronto Marlies Hockey Team to haul gear and band members from Toronto to the gig at Darien Lake. Bachman was a great sub if there ever was one!

Headlining was that little ol’ band from Texas known as ZZ Top. The band didn’t have much of an elaborate light setup and, from what I heard, used the stage lights and scaled back some for this show (or tour perhaps). The band played a short 1 hour and 15 minute set but made sure all the hits were played.

Guitarist Billy Gibbons and bassist Dusty Hill swayed back and forth and matched moves the entire night. Drummer Frank Beard continues to smoke and play with his eyes closed and does not miss a beat, holding it all together. This band has been together and played for so long I think they could just roll out of bed and knock off a set or two without much thought or practice.

Hill, who has hip issues, didn’t show any ill effects during the performance. He handled vocals on the two covers they played in “Foxy Lady” and “Sixteen Tons.” I would have liked to see the band tackle “TV Dinners” but again, for the most part, they played what the fans wanted to hear. Gibbons plays effortlessly and you can see why he is one of the most well respected and most influential players of all time. He interjected some humor during the set and at one point he lifted his guitar to show everyone the back of it (BEER was printed on the back). They also brought out the classic fuzzy guitars for the song “Legs.”

This is the longest running original band in the history of popular recording music. Many kudos to this trio for wanting to continue to stick around and give the fans the enjoyment of still hearing and seeing them perform live. As the band would say …”I Gotsta Get Paid,” right?

ZZ Top setlist:

Got Me Under Pressure

Waitin’ for the Bus

Jesus Left Chicago

Gimme All Your Lovin’

Pincushion

I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide

I Gotsta get Paid

Rough Boy

Foxy Lady (The Jimi Hendrix Experience cover)

Sixteen Tons (Merle Travis cover)

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