The thread on rock trios a few weeks ago got me thinking about some great trios. Rush and ZZ Top made the top of most of the lists on that thread.

Unlike SRV, Hendrix, Cream, or Nirvana, these two bands are still rocking with almost the original lineup for over 35 years each. ZZ Top were all born in 1949, and Rush were born in '53 and '52. Most of the "greatest bands of all time" lists have them both somewhere between 20 and 40 with no consistency to which one is higher. Beyond that, comparing ZZ to Rush is like comparing chicken wings to donuts, but what the heck.......

Which band has had more impact on rock music? Which do you like better? Which will have a longer legacy? Which one will our kids be listening to in 30 years?

Which one would you hire to play your 40th birthday party if the cost was the same?

Which one had a bigger impact? Probably Rush.
Which one do I like better? ZZ Top
Which one will my kids listen to? Whichever one I listen too most likely, so ZZ Top
Which one would I hire to play my 40th birthday? Well, I doubt they will all still be alive when I turn 40, and if they are, they won't be rocking (unless you count one of these).

Also, you picked some unfortunate examples for "non-original lineups". It's one thing to pick bands that simply broke up, like GnR and Cream, it's another to pick ones where tragedy robbed us of their music - SRV, Nirvana, Hendrix.

ZZ Top all the way around, they are just badass

Rush has probably had the bigger impact, and I love watching Neal Peart play. However, ZZ Top FTMFW. Some of Geddy Lee's screeching makes me wanns stsb my ears. And you just can't beat songs about hoarhouses and ahow how how how.

Both bands freakin rock

I love'em both...

Favorite is RUSH

Impact would go to ZZ Top for keeping the blues alive.

Billy Gibbons was Jimi Hendrix's favorite guitarist...

Both deserve RRHOF induction.

The last ZZ Top DVD has some interviews and Gibbons makes some pretty grand claims about Texas music and how it kicked off the 60's. Don't know if true but interesting stuff.

Man that is hard, Rush and ZZ Top both rock. I think Rush has probably had a bigger impact, great musicians, great live. One of my favorites.
ZZ Top also great band, never seen them live other than tv. Would rather have them playing in the background at a bbq or party. Both are awesome.

ZZ Top is my answer to all those questions.

I've seen them live five times over their entire career.

I've watched and was impressed by two Rush concert videos.

Both bands are cool, talented, innovative, long enduring and really, really good and each should be in The RR Hall of Fame.

In general, ZZ Top subconsciously stimulates my libido while Rush works on my conscious mind intellectually.



Gig 'em, FAST FRED '65.

Before the world wide web, village idiots usually stayed in their own village.

[This message has been edited by FAST FRED (edited 8/6/2012 10:20p).]

ZZ top is better beer music-- Rush is more wine/scotch.

Both excellent.

And even as a doc there is NO WAY I could have hired them to play my 40th birthday which is tomorrow 8)

Great questions. I dont think I could choose. And to play at a 40th birthday party is a good one.

Which band has had more impact on rock music? RUSH
Which do you like better? RUSH
Which will have a longer legacy? RUSH
Which one will our kids be listening to in 30 years? NEITHER

Rush is my favorite band, but if I could get reincarnated I would want to be Billy Gibbons. Awesome guitar player, and just plain cool.

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Which one will our kids be listening to in 30 years? NEITHER

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I think you may be wrong. I know both my kids have a very deep appreciation for both bands...

The bands that are the current crop are the ones with no staying power. Kids in general will be looking for something with feeling and "good" musicianship in the future.

That being said I can barely listen to the 80's commerical ZZ Top.

But I grew up listing to ZZ Top play at the old Stardust Ballroom in Corpus Christi in 1969 and 70.

I'm pretty familiar with most decades of ZZ Top, and I really love their blues/rock music.

My Rush knowledge pretty much cosists of a few listens to Moving Pictures and Chronicle (greatest hits). But last night I was going through a bunch of their songs on itunes..... Those three dudes really did make some great music that (I guess) is the definition of prog-rock. You put on headphones, and the music is coming at you from all over.

It's amazing that both bands made so much great music with only 3 members.

For my 40th birthday party (okay, 42nd), I'd probably hire ZZ Top for the backyard, but if I could see either at the House of Blues tonight, I'd probably want to see Rush.

I'd really like to see Geddy Lee singing vocals with ZZ Top.....

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I'd really like to see Geddy Lee singing vocals with ZZ Top.....

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What in the hell? You have a thing for trainwrecks?

At the end of the day, Rush is Canadian. ZZ Top has better cars. Ergo, ZZ Top > Rush.

Frank Beard>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Neil Peart

my dad played bass for The Moving Sidewalks before Vietnam when Billy started ZZ. has some great stories from high school and early years and memorabilia from their show with Hendrix in Fort Worth and other ones.

I'm kinda biased, ZZ on all counts

I read "zerg rush" in the title. idk why.

gfs03 - that is awesome.

Here is a photo of Hendrix and Billy G from that time...

Guess which one is Billy G?



[This message has been edited by PLUM LOCO (edited 8/7/2012 5:15p).]

Frank, Jimi, Grandpa, Dusty and Billy

that is the moving sidewalks at will Rogers in Fort worth. tom moore, Jimi, my pops is grandpa with the hat, Billy and then dan Mitchell on the far right

[This message has been edited by gfs03 (edited 8/7/2012 6:15p).]

You cheated...

sorry. they printed like 500 copies a couple years ago and autographed (minus Jimi of course) them and they are authenticated by hologram or something.

one good story in exchange for cheating: Billy and my dad took my grandmas new convertible from their house in memorial and Billy was lighting bottle rockets our the window while my dad drove. one flew back into the car and into the bag of bottle rockets. they pulled over and bailed, new car was totally destroyed. I'm sure my ultra conservative engineer grandfather loved hike school Billy

LOL

Hendrix once gave Billy a shout-out on the Dick Cavett show (think it was Cavett). Said he was one of the up and coming guitarist he liked.

Tonight Show, I believe.