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My Front-Row View of the SpaceX Crew-10 Launch in Florida
Read about my unforgettable trip to see NASA Crew-10 blast off. Get ready for some rocket launch excitement.
Amy
April 10, 2025
Released on March 23, 1983, Eliminator became ZZ Top’s most successful album, launching the tres bearded hombres from Texas into rock superstardom.
By the early ’80s, rock music seemed to be losing its bite. Synth-pop was on the rise, and that old-school bluesy sound was starting to fade. Some bands tried fighting against it, but ZZ Top? They leaned into the change with a gearhead’s enthusiasm, slapping drum machines and synthesizers onto their raw, blues-infused core. It wasn’t always easy — Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill had been traveling the world, Frank Beard had some personal battles to face—but by the time they regrouped, they were ready for the big leagues. Degüello (1979) and El Loco (1981), proving they were more than just Texas legends and took them to the top of the charts.
During this era, Gibbons and Hill grew out their now-iconic beards, while Beard—seriously, the guy named Beard—stayed clean-shaven. But it wasn’t just their facial hair that evolved. Gibbons, ever the gearhead, saw the future: faster tempos, drum machines, and synthesizers. That’s what made Eliminator such a game-changer—proving that technology and soul could coexist in the same greasy, beer-soaked dive bar.
From the opening growl of “Gimme All Your Lovin’” to the final echoes of “Bad Girl,” Eliminator didn’t let up. “Sharp Dressed Man” strutted in with one of the most recognizable riffs in rock history, while “Legs” strutted right past it, all swagger and synthesizers. And let’s not forget “TV Dinners,” a quirky, tongue-in-cheek reminder that ZZ Top never took themselves too seriously, even when revolutionizing rock ‘n’ roll.
My hot take: Eliminator wouldn’t have worked without pre-production engineer Linden Hudson (the dude has a thread, too). The guy helped shape the album’s sound, working closely with Gibbons—but did he get the credit? Nope. After the album dropped, he sued ZZ Top’s management and eventually won songwriting credit for “Thug.” A small victory, but a reminder that even in rock ‘n’ roll, the unsung heroes often get left in the dust.
Musically, Eliminator was a beast. But the rise of MTV turned ZZ Top into full-fledged rock gods. Their music videos—packed with fast cars, mysterious women, and Texas mystique—made them larger than life. And the Eliminator coupe, a cherry-red ’33 Ford with a V8 growl, was just as much a star as the band itself, thanks to gearhead Gibbons.
Fun Fact: The album is called Eliminator because, in drag racing, “eliminator” refers to cars competing head-to-head until there’s one winner. ZZ Top wasn’t just in the race; they were lapping the competition.
ZZ Top pulled off something rare: they evolved without losing their soul. They proved you could polish the chrome without losing the horsepower. It was still blues, still Texas, still ZZ Top—just with a little more turbo boost.
Personally, this album was a kind of revelation. Growing up, I was all about metal, but Eliminator snuck its way into my collection (due to Gimme all your lovin’), and it tore down any walls I’d built against blues-rock. It’s got this perfect blend of grit and gloss, making it irresistible even decades later. Turn it on now, and you’ll feel like you’re barreling down a dusty Texas highway, neon lights glinting off a polished hood.
Eliminator is the sound of leather jackets, open highways, and neon lights bouncing off a well-waxed hood. It’s proof that sometimes, the best way to stay ahead of the curve is to floor it and never look back.
So, not to put you “under pressure,” but you need this tee.
Rock on,
Sam 🧔
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