ZZ Top hits the road again

[RonJonSurfer]

Texas rock trio ZZ Top (bio | tickets | CDs - DVDs - books) is set to launch an extensive North American tour that will keep the group on the road for most of what's left of 2005.

The band's 24-week outing kicks off on the West Coast next week, and dates are stacked up into early October; details are shown below.

Additional October and November dates will be announced, according to the group's official website.

Fans can expect to hear the band perform material from its latest album, 2003's "Mescalero," as well as cuts from its lengthy back-catalog, which is chronicled on last year's two-disc hits collection, "Rancho Texicano."

Formed in Houston in 1970, ZZ Top gained widespread commercial appeal with its 1983 album "Eliminator" and its 1985 set "Afterburner," which collectively spawned a slew of hits such as "Legs," "Sharp Dressed Man," "Sleeping Bag," "Velcro Fly" and more.

ZZ Top--Billy Gibbons (vocals/guitar), Dusty Hill (bass) and Frank Beard (drums)--joined the ranks of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in early 2004.

June 2005

2 - Jackson, CA - Jackson Rancheria Casino

3 - Oroville, CA - Feather Falls Casino

4 - Kelseyville, CA - Konocti Harbor Resort & Spa

6 - Livermore, CA - Wente Concerts at the Vineyard

7 - Laughlin, NV - Flamingo Hilton Ballroom & Amphitheater

9-11 - Las Vegas, NV - Las Vegas Hilton

12 - Del Mar, CA - Del Mar Fairgrounds

16 - Hinckley, MN - Grand Casino Hinckley

17 - West Fargo, ND - Red River Valley Fair

18 - Burlington, IA - Steamboat Days

23 - Albuquerque, NM - Sandia Casino

24 - Grand Junction, CO - Country Jam USA

25 - Greeley, CO - Island Grove Park (Greeley Independence Stampede)

26 - Manhattan, KS - Tuttle Creek State Park (Country Stampede)

July 2005

8 - Wallingford, CT - Oakdale Theatre

9 - Big Flats, NY - Summer Stage @ Tags

10 - Quebec City, Quebec - International Summer Festival

12 - Ottawa, Ontario - Cisco Systems Blues Festival

15 - Comstock, NE - Second Wind Ranch (Comstock Rock)

16 - Saint Joseph, MO - St. Joseph Civic Arena

17 - Cadott, WI - Rock Fest

21 - London, Ontario - Harris Park

22 - Ionia, MI - Ionia Free Fair

23 - Sault Ste. Marie, MI - Vegas Kewadin Casino

24 - Twin Lakes, WI - Country Thunder USA

27 - Saint Charles, MO - Family Arena

29 - Robinsonville, MS - Grand Casino Tunica

30 - Gulfport, MS - Grand Casino Gulfport

August 2005

2 - Merrillville, IN - Star Plaza Theatre

5 - Davenport, IA - Mississippi Valley Fair

6 - Evansville, IN - Roberts Stadium

7 - Columbus, OH - Celeste Center

10 - Reading, PA - Sovereign Center

11 - Hamburg, NY - Erie County Fair

12 - Gilford, NH - Meadowbrook Musical Arts Centar

14 - Saginaw, MI - Ojibway Island

15 - Fairlea, WV - West Virginia St. Fair

17 - Detroit, MI - Michigan State Fair

19 - Des Moines, IA - Iowa State Fair

23 - Trenton, NJ - Sovereign Bank Arena

25, 26 - Rama, Ontario - Casino Rama

27 - Canandaigua, NY - Finger Lakes P.A.C.

28 - Salisbury, MD - Civic Center

30 - Augusta, ME - Augusta Civic Center

31 - Bushkill, PA - Mt. Laurel Center

September 2005

10 - Spencer, IA - Clay County Fair

11 - Hutchinson, KS - Kansas State Fair

13 - Mankato, MN - Midwest Wireless Civic Center

16 - Oklahoma City, OK - Zoo Amphitheatre

17 - Miami, OK - Buffalo Run Casino

20 - Central Point, OR - Lithia Motors Amphitheater

21 - Puyallup, WA - Western Washington Fair

23 - Saratoga, CA - Montalvo Arts Center

24 - Reno, NV - Reno Hilton

25 - Pomona, CA - Los Angeles County Fair

28 - Brooks, CA - Cache Creek Casino

29 - Santa Ynez, CA - Chumash Casino

30 - Alpine, CA - Viejas Concerts in the Park

October 2005

1 - Tucson, AZ - Anselmo Valencia Amphitheatre

5 - Fresno, CA - Big Fresno Fair