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ZZ Top formed its initial lineup in 1969, consisting of Gibbons, Anthony Barajas ( bass and keyboards ) and Peter Perez ( drums and percussion ).

After several incarnations, Hill and Beard joined within the following year.

Molded into a professional act by manager Bill Ham, they were subsequently signed to London Records and released their debut album.

They were successful as live performers, becoming known to fans as " that little ol ' band from Texas ", and their 1973 album Tres Hombres, according to AllMusic, propelled the band to national attention and " made them stars ".

In 1979, after returning from a one-and-a-half year break of touring, the group reinvented themselves with their hit album Degüello and the accompanying tour.

ZZ Top incorporated New Wave and punk influences into their sound and performances, and embraced a more iconic image, with Gibbons and Hill sporting chest-length beards and sunglasses.

Similar experimentation continued for the remainder of the 1980s and 1990s with varying levels of success.

On their 2003 album Mescalero, ZZ Top adopted a more contemporary sound while maintaining their influences from their earlier musical pursuits.