Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top Bring Southern Rock Up North to Mansfield
Saturday night in Mansfield, Massachusetts a near sold-out crowd filled Xfinity Center to celebrate over 50 years of amazing music on the Sharp-Dressed Simple Man Tour. A celebration of rock 'n' roll, bringing together two of the most iconic acts in music history: ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Fans of Southern rock and blues were treated to an unforgettable night of music that not only lived up to expectations but surpassed them in every way. Hitting the stage first were The Outlaws.
The Outlaws are an American Southern rock band that emerged in the 1970s, known for their distinctive blend of rock, country, and blues. Formed in Tampa, Florida, in 1972, the band became one of the pioneering groups of the Southern rock genre, alongside acts like Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Allman Brothers Band. The Outlaws came out on fire! The crowd really hadn’t filled in to capacity at that time and that always makes me feel a bit disappointed. People really miss out on some good music when they do not arrive to the event early. The music was spectacular. I am not even sure how many songs they played because the guitar solo’s carried on so long that they felt like masterpieces. This was the best guitar work I have seen, ever. They were all so impressive and on point. I was sitting there blown away and found myself rocking out! What an expert lesson in near perfect guitar work. As a guitarist myself I was absolutely just in awe and found myself rather jealous of the perfection I was hearing. Great music from a great band. The night was young and ZZ Top was hitting the stage next to keep the party rolling.
ZZ Top is a legendary American rock band formed in Houston, Texas, in 1969. The band is best known for its unique blend of blues rock, boogie, and Southern rock, as well as its humorous lyrics and iconic image featuring long beards, sunglasses, and cowboy hats. The original and most famous lineup consisted of Billy Gibbons (guitar and vocals), Dusty Hill (bass and vocals), and Frank Beard (drums). Gibbons had been a member of the Moving Sidewalks, a psychedelic band that opened for Jimi Hendrix, before forming ZZ Top with Hill and Beard. ZZ Top's early albums, such as ZZ Top's First Album (1971) and Rio Grande Mud (1972), established them as a solid blues-rock band. Their breakthrough came with the release of Tres Hombres in 1973, which included the hit single "La Grange," a song inspired by a brothel in Texas. The band's sound, characterized by Gibbons' gritty guitar tone and Hill's driving bass lines, resonated with fans.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, ZZ Top incorporated more elements of electronic music and synthesizers into their sound, leading to massive commercial success with albums like Eliminator (1983) and Afterburner (1985). Eliminator produced some of their biggest hits, including "Gimme All Your Lovin'," "Sharp Dressed Man," and "Legs." The band's music videos for these songs became iconic on MTV, helping them reach a wider audience.
Throughout their career, ZZ Top maintained a consistent lineup until Dusty Hill's death in July 2021. Despite the loss, the band continued to perform with Elwood Francis, Hill's longtime guitar tech, filling in on bass. ZZ Top remains an enduring symbol of Texas rock and continues to tour and record, preserving their legacy as one of the most influential and distinctive bands in rock history.
From the moment ZZ Top took the stage, we all realized we were going to be in for a treat and we were going to hear something special. Despite being well into their fifth decade of performing, Billy Gibbons, Frank Beard, and Elwood Francis showed no signs of slowing down. With their signature beards, shades, and Texas swagger, the band delivered a setlist packed with classics like "La Grange," “Pearl Necklace,” and, of course, "Sharp Dressed Man." Gibbons' guitar work was as gritty and bluesy as ever, and the band's tight rhythm section kept the energy high all evening. This was my first time seeing any of these acts so I had no idea what I was in for. I grew up listening to grunge, hip-hop, and country music. Thanks to my dad he did instill a foundation for my love of classic southern rock. My dad was in many bands growing up and I was always able to hear him play these classics. Billy Gibbons humor was a nice touch on the night and was fitting for his humorous lyrics. What made the evening particularly special was the band's engagement with the audience. Gibbons, with his charismatic stage presence, frequently interacted with the crowd Last night was a testament to the band's staying power and their ability to still command the stage after more than five decades. The crowd, a mix of longtime fans and newer listeners enjoyed singing along to every word and reveling in the nostalgia that only a band like ZZ Top can evoke. The crowd was grooving throughout the whole set. The night was special and I am glad I was able to witness this history lesson.
Lynyrd Skynyrd was set to close out the night and boy were we not ready for that despite the supporting cast rocking us the past 2 hours. The band came out like a wrecking ball and the energy was thickening the unseasonable cool air. The opening chords of "Workin' for MCA" immediately set the tone for the night, with the crowd erupting in cheers as the band launched into one of their many anthems. Lead singer Johnny Van Zant, carrying the torch passed down from his brother Ronnie, commanded the stage with a mix of charisma and raw vocal power. His voice, rich and consistent, delivered the lyrics with an authenticity that hit deeply with the audience. He absolutely crushed it. This show was a lesson in what Southern Rock should be and has been. Tracks like "What's Your Name," "That Smell," and "Gimme Three Steps" were performed with a vigor that belied the band's long history. Each song was met with enthusiastic sing-alongs from the crowd, many of whom have been following the band for decades. The audience, which was mostly fans of the older generations came ready to party despite it being past their bedtime, I am kidding. With the electricity in the room no-one was going to be able to fall asleep in their chairs. The fans were truly fun to watch. I always make it a point to watch the crowd. The smiles on the faces, hands constantly in the air, and dancing and belting out of all the lyrics told me all I needed to know. The crisp smell of burnt marijuana fittingly filled the air. My only complaint of the show however was the smell seemed of low quality weed. You old timers need to get a better strain of weed to keep up with the times!
Guitarists Rickey Medlocke, Mark Matejka, and the band's latest addition, Damon Johnson, were on fire throughout the night. The iconic three-guitar attack that Skynyrd is known for was on full display, with each guitarist delivering searing solos that added layers of texture and power to the performance. Medlocke, in particular, was a standout, his energetic stage presence and fiery playing really was a work of musical art. The rhythm section, anchored by bassist Keith Christopher and drummer Michael Cartellone, provided a rock-solid foundation, driving the songs with a steady groove that kept the energy high. Peter Keys on keyboards added that classic Southern rock flavor, his playing providing the perfect complement to the guitars. A momentus moment of the night came during the performance of "Simple Man." As the band played the opening notes, a hush fell over the crowd, with many fans visibly moved by the song's heartfelt lyrics. Van Zant dedicated the song to everyone in our armed forces and first responders. It truly was a remarkable moment and great dedication to our heroes. Van Zant also paid homage to the past members of Lynyrd Skynyrd including his brother. Very touching moments and you could see the band members visually impacted by the tributes. Closing out the show were my favorites and 2 songs I had been dying to hear live forever. Songs that I thought I would never hear. “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Free Bird”. Iconic masterpieces. The band exited the stage after “Sweet Home Alabama”. The crowd roared wanting more…and you knew what they were chanting. I think at every show I have ever been to the crowd will scream out “Free Bird” to whatever band was playing. Now it was that time. “Free Bird” being screamed out by the majority of the crowd was exactly what I was expecting and hoping for. I was not disappointed. Thank you for a great night of Rock-n-Roll. In case you haven’t figured it out yet…BUY. THE. TICKET. And enjoy yourself as it was truly a party of classic songs.
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