As ZZ Top continue to forge on following the 2021 death of bassist Dusty Hill, the band have announced a co-headlining tour with Southern rock giants Lynyrd Skynyrd.
The Sharp Dressed Simple Man Tour will mark 50 years since Lynyrd Skynyrd dropped their legendary 1973 debut album, Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd, which features iconic songs “Gimme Three Steps,” “Tuesday’s Gone,” and, of course, “Free Bird.”
ZZ Top has moved forward with Elwood Francis assuming bass duties alongside singer-guitarist Billy Gibbons and drummer Frank Beard, and they sound as good as you’d expect since Francis was a longtime guy behind the scenes with the band before becoming an actual member upon Hill’s death.
The tour stops in the Chicago suburb of Tinley Park, Illinois, at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre on Aug. 19, Ruoff Music Center in Noblesville on Aug. 20, Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati on Aug. 25, and Pine Knob Music Theatre near Detroit in Clarkston, Michigan, on Aug. 26.
Uncle Kracker will provide support.
‘Miss Jackson’ hitting road
The one and only Janet Jackson will return to the road after a four-year break for the Together Again Tour.
Kicking off in April, the 33-city tour comes in celebration of Jackson’s 50th anniversary in entertainment. The trek also coincides with the 30th anniversary of her fifth album janet., and the 25th anniversary of her follow-up LP, The Velvet Rope. That’s a lot of numbers, but the point is, “Miss Jackson if you’re nasty” has entertained us for many years and wants to continue entertaining us in 2023.
Special guest Ludacris will open each stop on the tour when Jackson visits Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on May 24, Ruoff Music Center in Noblessville on May 26, and Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre near Chicago on May 27.
Bush supports new album
’90s alternative rock giants Bush have been touring in support of their latest album, The Art of Survival, and they’ll hit the road again in 2023.
The Gavin Rossdale-fronted group will head back out on tour and stop in at MGM Northfield Park near Cleveland on Feb. 10, Firekeepers Casino in Battle Creek, Michigan, on Feb. 24, and the Salt Shed in Chicago on Feb. 25, where Silversun Pickups will co-headline at one of the Chicago’s newest venues.
The Art of Survival hit store shelves and streaming services in October and features the single “More Than Machines,” which just hit No. 1 on the active rock airplay chart. Expect to hear new songs off that album on the tour as well as plenty of Bush favorites.
Rockzilla tour adds 2nd leg
Following their wildly successful co-headlining Rockzilla tour, Papa Roach and Falling in Reverse are bringing fans a sequel.
The second leg of the Rockzilla tour, with special guest Hollywood Undead and opener Escape the Fate, will kick off Feb. 1 and stop by Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom in Chicago on Feb. 4 and Wings Event Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on Feb. 14.
Papa Roach released their 11th studio album, Ego Trip, in April.
Road Notes covers concerts within driving distance of Northeast Indiana. Send your news items to info@whatzup.com.
