ZZ Top fans get Everett buzzing

EVERETT — Justin Smith gave a tug on his frizzy red beard.

He knew that, compared to ZZ Top, his scruff has a long way to go.

“There's something about the long beard, man — that's just the power symbol,” said Smith, 17, of Monroe. “It makes you feel more awesome. I hope to have a beard like them one day.”

Smith was among the thousands who came to Comcast Arena on Monday night to see ZZ Top, the hirsute Texas rockers with the big guitar hooks.

As many as 4,900 tickets had been issued by mid-day for the group's headlining show, according to the arena. Some fans came to relive their pasts, while others were making up for missed opportunities to see the blues rock giants.

The Texas group was scheduled to play Auburn's White River Amphitheatre with Aerosmith in August, but that show was cancelled by Aerosmith.

Kevin Sims, 40, of Lake Stevens, looked forward to making up for the summer's cancelled show.

“You very rarely find the two on a ticket together, so it was an opportunity to see both of them,” Sims said. “I'm a huge ZZ Top fan.”

Sims has listened to the group for most of his life.

The group first appeared on the Billboard charts in 1972. Their blend of hard rock, blues and pop led to multiplatinum album sales and a string of hits, including “Sharp Dressed Man,” “Legs” and “La Grange.”

Gail Allen, 53, of Arlington, knows all those tracks. She brought her son, Gregory, to see the show. The 17-year-old is starting his own band and she was hoping he'd be inspired.

“I wanted him to see how it's done,” she said.

Others were at the show simply for themselves.

Bruce Lapham, 54, of Marysville, saw the group in 1980. He was shocked that a big name like ZZ Top was playing Everett, so he scooped up a pair of tickets.

“We just like that Texas sound,” he said. “They're campy. They're funny.”

Andy Rathbun: 425-339-3455, arathbun@heraldnet.com.