ZZ Top and the Zombies: A Great American Long Con
Summary
Hosts Elizabeth Dutton Burnett and Sarah discuss the recent passing of ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard, sharing their favorite songs and music videos from the band’s history. The episode reveals a bizarre chapter in Beard’s past where he and future bandmate Dusty Hill toured as part of a fake "Zombies" band. Organized by the shady Delta Promotions, this imposter group exploited the British band’s US success by playing Texas blues instead of their hits, with Beard and Hill using stage names to avoid legal trouble.
Topics discussed
Intro and the octagonal toolbox infomercial story
ZZ Top history, songs, and the death of drummer Elwood Francis
Frank Beard's early bands and his stage name Tony Bearden
The real Zombies, Time of the Season, and the US tour scam
Delta Promotions creates two fake Zombie bands
Future ZZ Top members join the Texas Zombies as imposter band
The Texas Zombies tour, stage names, and audience reactions
Real Zombies expose the scam in Rolling Stone magazine
The scam ends: Eric Burden, The Archies lawsuit, and aftermath
Conclusion, listener questions, and credits
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