Monday 21 September 2009

ZZ Top axe tour over ear illness

Rock band ZZ Top have cancelled their European tour to let a band member have treatment for an ear ailment.
Bassist and singer Dusty Hill needs treatment for a benign growth in his inner ear.

The tour was due to start on 15 June in Leipzig, Germany, and finish in Norway in early July.

Preliminary plans for his treatment do not include surgery so US concerts, due to start in Dallas on 15 July, are still expected to go ahead.
"I'm looking forward to dealing with this problem and getting back out there with Billy and Frank," Hill said. "I'm sure we'll put this behind us very shortly."

In a statement, Hill's otolaryngologist Dr Shawn Nasseri said: "In the near term, we plan to stabilise Dusty's hearing and symptoms with medication and a conservative management strategy."

The trio, who have been together for 38 years, and are known for the guitarists' trademark beards, performed and were honoured at the VH1 Rock Honors in Las Vegas on Saturday.

The cancellation comes seven years after Hill was diagnosed with Hepatitis C.

Tuesday 8 September 2009

ZZ Top announce dates to replace Aerosmith cancellations


ZZ Top have announced their own tour of the US after the cancellation of their joint tour with Aerosmith.The dates were put on ice after Aerosmith frontman Steve Tyler suffered a fall from the stage in Sturgis, SD earlier this month. It was subsequently announced that the tour was cancelled entirely. ZZ Top had already planned a few shows without Aerosmith, and the dates listed below include those.Meanwhile, the band are currently working on a new album with legendary producer Rick Rubin.


The dates announced so far are:Redding, CA Redding Convention Center (August 18)Anaheim, CA House of Blues (20)Los Angeles, CA House of Blues (21)


Rancho Mirage, CA Agua Caliente Casino (22)


Chicago, IL House of Blues (September 4)


Sault St. Marie, MI Kewadin Casino (6, 7)


Washington, DC 9:30 Club (13, 14)Boston, MA Orpheum Theatre (15)Salamanca, NY Seneca Allegany Casino (17)


New York, NY Beacon Theatre (18)


Atlantic City, NH House of Blues (19)


Reading, PA Sovereign Performing Arts Center (20)