No-nonsense ZZ Top, Creedence-focused John Fogerty link up for “Blues & Bayous” at Ravinia

ZZ Top Photo by Andy Argyrakis

Catching ZZ Top or John Fogerty on their own would warrant enough of a reason to rock out, but when the world’s most recognizable bearded band teamed up with the former Creedence Clearwater Revival front man on the “Blues & Bayous” Tour, fans of either act essentially scored two full shows for the price of one at Ravinia. Up first on this straight down the middle double bill was the “Tres Hombres,” otherwise known as guitarist/singer Billy Gibbons, bassist/vocalist Dusty Hill and drummer Frank Beard (who’s humorously the one without the facial hair).

That wouldn’t be the last of ZZ Top, or more specifically Gibbons, who joined Fogerty for a couple finger-licking guitar duels (most notably, the new “Holy Grail”) after the fellow Rock and Roll Hall of Famer got warmed up with a few other swampy, southern staples…

Together, they sounded and looked precisely as anyone would have hoped, and considering ZZ Top hasn’t dropped an album since 2012’s “La Futura,” that meant room for nothing but “The Very Baddest.” Given its diamond sales status and 35th birthday, material from 1983’s “Eliminator” earned a lion’s share of the spotlight, kicking off with “Got Me Under Pressure,” while the glossier MTV regulars “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” “Sharp Dressed Man” and “Legs” popped up in between the grittier hell raisers “Waitin’ For The Bus,” “La Grange” and “Tush.”

ZZ Top

Photo provided by Ravinia

That wouldn’t be the last of ZZ Top, or more specifically Gibbons, who joined Fogerty for a couple finger-licking guitar duels (most notably, the new “Holy Grail”) after the fellow Rock and Roll Hall of Famer got warmed up with a few other swampy, southern staples such as “Travelin’ Band” and “Who’ll Stop The Rain” (accompanied by the same amplifier and lost then found guitar he played at Woodstock!) And outside of a virtual duet with country axe man Brad Paisley for the troops tribute “Love And War,” Creedence’s catalogue took top priority alongside a few choice cuts from the solo project “Centerfield.”

As the evening progressed, so did the level of jamming between members of the muscular band that housed his son Shane on guitar, a horn section and the machine gun speed of longtime drummer Kenny Aronoff. Sing-a-longs (and perhaps a few substances) also permeated the air during “Have You Ever Seen The Rain?,” “I Heard It Through The Grapevine,” “Down On The Corner” and “Fortunate Son,” though by the time it all built to the crescendo of “Proud Mary,” Fogerty was really “rollin’ on the river” in his victorious Ravinia return.


For additional information on ZZ Top and John Fogerty, visit ZZTop.com and JohnFogerty.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at Ravinia include Jackson Browne (Jun. 15); Alison Krauss (Jun. 16); Seal (Jun. 19); Jill Scott and The Roots (Jun. 22); Roger Daltrey performs The Who’s “Tommy” (Jun. 23 and 25); Bryan Adams (Jun. 29); Snarky Puppy (Jul. 2); Classic Albums Live Presents: “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” (Jul. 7); Buddy Guy and Jonny Lang (Jul. 8); Evanescence and Lindsey Stirling (Jul. 10); Mary J. Blige (Jul. 20) and “Lost 80’s Live” (Jul. 29). For additional details, visit Ravinia.org.