This week marks two big milestones. First, it’s pledge drive time at WORT, and Rolling with Scissors is asking listeners to help keep independent, volunteer-powered radio alive. If you’d like to support the show and the station, head to wortfm.org/donate or just click the Donate button at the top of the WORT website.

Second, this is the first brand-new episode produced from the new studio up in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. After several weeks of airing archived Rolling with Scissors shows from past years, we’re finally back live. The space isn’t fully dialed in yet, but all things considered, I think it sounded pretty damn good. Also, I’ll admit I’m a little rusty on posting new content, so hopefully I remember how the stupid template works. I’m only kidding, folks—I’ve got it covered.

For Episode 1319, we did a deep dive on one of the most consistent, iconic, and downright entertaining bands in rock history: ZZ Top. Even people who don’t listen to them regularly tend to think of beards, blues riffs, and hot rods—but there’s a lot more to the story.

ZZ Top formed in Houston in 1969 with Billy Gibbons on guitar and vocals, Dusty Hill on bass, and Frank Beard on drums. They locked into the same lineup for over 50 years, which is unheard of in rock music. After playing endless Texas bars and building a cult following, they broke into the mainstream in the ’70s with albums like Tres Hombres, then reinvented themselves in the ’80s with synth-flavored blues rock and some of the most unforgettable music videos MTV ever aired.

One of the funniest bits of ZZ Top trivia is this: the only member of the band who doesn’t have a long, trademark beard… is the guy literally named Beard. Frank Beard has always kept it trimmed short or clean-shaven while the other two turned facial hair into a brand.

Dusty Hill passed away in 2021 at the age of 72 after decades of performing. His death marked the end of that original trio, but the band has continued to tour with Elwood Francis on bass. Here’s another fun detail a lot of newer fans don’t know: when Francis first stepped in, he sported a massive, floor-length beard that looked like he’d been preparing for the role since birth. It shocked the internet because he’d never worn one before Dusty passed.

ZZ Top isn’t just a look or a gimmick—they built their sound on Texas blues, humor, and a deep groove. They also stayed surprisingly private and drama-free. No big feuds, no endless reunions, no rotating cast of replacements. Just three guys keeping it tight for half a century.

If you enjoyed the set and want Rolling with Scissors to keep bringing these deep dives every week, now is the time to show some love during the pledge drive. Listener support keeps WORT independent and keeps shows like this on the air. You can donate at wortfm.org/donate or hit the Donate button on the WORT website.

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Hour 1

Artist – Song – Time – Album – Label

ZZ Top – Francene – 02:53 – Rio Grande Mud – London/Warner Bros. – 1972

ZZ Top – Just Got Paid – 03:48 – Rio Grande Mud – London/Warner Bros. – 1972

ZZ Top – Mushmouth Shoutin’ – 03:45 – Rio Grande Mud – London/Warner Bros. – 1972

ZZ Top – Ko Ko Blue – 04:23 – Rio Grande Mud – London/Warner Bros. – 1972

ZZ Top – Chevrolet – 03:19 – Rio Grande Mud – London/Warner Bros. – 1972

ZZ Top – Apologies To Pearly – 02:47 – Rio Grande Mud – London/Warner Bros. – 1972

ZZ Top – Bar-B-Q – 03:22 – Rio Grande Mud – London/Warner Bros. – 1972

ZZ Top – Sure Got Cold After the Rain Fell – 06:49 – Rio Grande Mud – London/Warner Bros. – 1972

ZZ Top – Whiskey’n Mama – 03:20 – Rio Grande Mud – London/Warner Bros. – 1972

ZZ Top – Down Brownie – 02:26 – Rio Grande Mud – London/Warner Bros. – 1972

ZZ Top – Gimme All Your Lovin – 04:04 – Eliminator – Warner Bros. – 1983

ZZ Top – Got Me Under Pressure – 04:02 – Eliminator – Warner Bros. – 1983

ZZ Top – Sharp Dressed Man – 04:18 – Eliminator – Warner Bros. – 1983

ZZ Top – I Need You Tonight – 06:17 – Eliminator – Warner Bros. – 1983

ZZ Top – I Got The Six – 02:55 – Eliminator – Warner Bros. – 1983

ZZ Top – Legs – 04:34 – Eliminator – Warner Bros. – 1983

Hour 2

Artist – Song – Time – Album – Label

ZZ Top – Thug – 04:18 – Eliminator – Warner Bros. – 1983

ZZ Top – TV Dinners – 03:53 – Eliminator – Warner Bros. – 1983

ZZ Top – Dirty Dog – 04:01 – Eliminator – Warner Bros. – 1983

ZZ Top – If I Could Only Flag Her Down – 03:41 – Eliminator – Warner Bros. – 1983

ZZ Top – Bad Girl – 03:14 – Eliminator – Warner Bros. – 1983

ZZ Top – Sleeping Bag – 04:07 – Afterburner – Warner Bros. – 1985

ZZ Top – Stages – 03:35 – Afterburner – Warner Bros. – 1985

ZZ Top – Woke Up With Wood – 03:49 – Afterburner – Warner Bros. – 1985

ZZ Top – Rough Boy – 04:52 – Afterburner – Warner Bros. – 1985

ZZ Top – Can’t Stop Rockin’ – 03:04 – Afterburner – Warner Bros. – 1985

ZZ Top – Planet Of Women – 04:06 – Afterburner – Warner Bros. – 1985

ZZ Top – I Got The Message – 03:30 – Afterburner – Warner Bros. – 1985

ZZ Top – Velcro Fly – 03:32 – Afterburner – Warner Bros. – 1985

ZZ Top – Dipping Low (In The Lap Of Luxury) – 03:15 – Afterburner – Warner Bros. – 1985

ZZ Top – Delirious – 03:41 – Afterburner – Warner Bros. – 1985

ZZ Top – Waitin’ For the Bus – 02:53 – Tres Hombres – Warner Bros. – 1973

Hour 3

Artist – Song – Time – Album – Label

ZZ Top – Jesus Just Left Chicago – 03:30 – Tres Hombres – Warner Bros. – 1973

ZZ Top – Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers – 03:25 – Tres Hombres – Warner Bros. – 1973

ZZ Top – Master of Sparks – 03:31 – Tres Hombres – Warner Bros. – 1973

ZZ Top – Hot, Blue & Righteous – 03:17 – Tres Hombres – Warner Bros. – 1973

ZZ Top – Move Me on Down the Line – 02:31 – Tres Hombres – Warner Bros. – 1973

ZZ Top – Precious & Grace – 03:09 – Tres Hombres – Warner Bros. – 1973

ZZ Top – La Grange – 03:53 – Tres Hombres – Warner Bros. – 1973

ZZ Top – Sheik – 04:06 – Tres Hombres – Warner Bros. – 1973

ZZ Top – Have You Heard? – 03:14 – Tres Hombres – Warner Bros. – 1973

ZZ Top – Waitin’ For the Bus (Live) – 02:42 – Tres Hombres – Warner Bros. – 1973

ZZ Top – Jesus Just Left Chicago (Live) – 04:03 – Tres Hombres – Warner Bros. – 1973

ZZ Top – La Grange (Live) – 04:44 – Tres Hombres – Warner Bros. – 1973

ZZ Top – (Somebody Else Been) Shakin’ Your Tree – 02:29 – ZZ Top’s First Album – Warner Bros. – 1970

ZZ Top – Brown Sugar – 05:22 – ZZ Top’s First Album – Warner Bros. – 1970

ZZ Top – Squank – 02:49 – ZZ Top’s First Album – Warner Bros. – 1970

ZZ Top – Goin’ Down To Mexico – 03:23 – ZZ Top’s First Album – Warner Bros. – 1970

ZZ Top – Old Man – 03:32 – ZZ Top’s First Album – Warner Bros. – 1970

ZZ Top – Neighbor, Neighbor – 02:19 – ZZ Top’s First Album – Warner Bros. – 1970

ZZ Top – Certified Blues – 03:28 – ZZ Top’s First Album – Warner Bros. – 1970 [fade out]

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Rolling with Scissors airs live every Tuesday from 2–5 AM on 89.9 FM in Madison and streams at wortfm.org. Missed it? You can catch the episode for two weeks after broadcast at archive.wortfm.org or at rwsradio.com.

While the audio disappears after two weeks, the episode notes and playlists don’t. Every deep dive, rant, and full album breakdown stays right here — so you can revisit the details any time.

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