ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sharp Dressed Simple Man Tour” delivers classic rock super-sets at Ruoff Music Center

ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sharp Dressed Simple Man Tour” delivers classic rock super-sets at Ruoff Music Center

By: Kevin Vickery 

On Saturday, September 14th I was supposed to attend my 35th High School reunion in Middletown but those plans were uprooted when I was presented with free tickets to see ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd & The Outlaws at Ruoff Music Center, which as you may know by now, will always be Deer Creek to me.

I’ve been fortunate to catch a lot of shows this Summer under excellent weather conditions and this was no exception.  Clear skies and moderately warm temperatures prevailed as The Outlaws took the stage to start the show. 

I won’t go into the long history of The Outlaws as they’ve had at least 55 different members since their conception in 1967.  They are most commonly known for their biggest hits, “There Goes Another Love Song”, and “Green Grass and High Tides”, both from their self titled album from 1975.  They of course played both that night and sounded great doing so with current line up of Jeff Aulich, Jimmy Dormire, Randy Threet, Dave Robbins, Mike Bailey and vocalist, Henry Paul who was the singer for the band when they had those chart topping hits in 1975-79.

Henry was also the front-man for the 90’s country band, Blackhawk that also charted heavily in that era.  Back in those days, I worked with them, roadtripping across Texas for five dates as part of the Crown Royal Country Music Series. Henry was always very down to Earth, appreciative, and easy to work with.

Seeing him back on stage, fronting the Outlaws was a real treat and his voice sounded just as strong as he did back then.

Up next was my favorite band of the bill, the legendary power trio ZZ Top, appropriately nicknamed, “That Little Ol’ Band from Texas” who have been delivering their unique blues-rock sound for over 50 years.  Like most folks my age, I first became aware of the band when their 1983 album, “Eliminator” that featured chart topping singles, “Sharp Dressed Man”, “Legs” and, “Gimme All Your Lovin’” were all over the radio and MTV.  Their iconic look of long beards, sunglasses, cool hats, matching guitars & jackets made not only their sound, but also their look a pop-culture standard image that still exists today. The irony of the fact that the only non-bearded member of the band is their drummer, Frank Beard can’t go over looked.

I’ve seen them a handful of times over the years but this show at Deer Creek was the first time since the passing of original bassist and founding member, Dusty Hill in 2021. At that time, Dusty left their tour due to health reasons and personally requested that guitar tech, Elwood Francis fill in for him until he returned. Unfortunately, Hill passed away and the bass gig for ZZ Top became Elwood’s permanent assignment.

While watching their set, I certainly missed Dusty holding down the low end and particularly his high range vocals which left songs like, “Tush” and “Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers” off the set list. However, I have to say that Elwood does an excellent job of taking over the reigns on bass, providing not only the sound but also the look that still provides for an authentic ZZ Top show. The crowd loved their set and so did I as they played so many of their classic hits including my favorites, “Waitin’ for the Bus”, and “Jesus Just Left Chicago”.  At 74 years old, guitarist and lead vocalist, Billy Gibbons still plays, sounds, sings and looks as cool as he ever has.

They were followed by co-headliners, Lynyrd Skynyrd who have been called, “The definitive Southern rock band”.  These Rock and Roll Hall of Famers have sold over 28 million records and their musical journey has spanned over six decades. Their first album, “Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd” produced some of their biggest hits still celebrated today like, “Tuesday’s Gone”, “Gimme Three Steps”, the iconic, “Free Bird” and “Simple Man” which combined with ZZTop’s, “Sharp Dressed Man” is what provides the tour’s title.

They too have gone though a host of line-up changes most significantly when in 1977 a charter plane crash killed guitarist, Steve Gaines, backup vocalist, Cassie Gaines, and founder, front-man, and original lead singer, Ronnie Van Zant.  The band reformed in 1987 with Ronnie’s younger brother Johnny Van Zant on lead vocals who has remained their singer to this day meaning he’s actually held that job three times longer than his older brother.  He does a fantastic job of delivering all the Skynyrd classics and the fans are more than happy to see him sing the tunes and preserve the band’s legacy. The passing of guitarist, Gary Rossington in 2023, left the band with no surviving original members. By my count, Lynyrd Skynyrd has had at least 44 different touring and recording band members over the course of their career but as long as the fans still get to sing along to an authentic sounding, “Sweet Home Alabama” and light up their lighters (or phones these days) while they scream along to “Free Bird”, they’ll always be satisfied with the show.  I know I was.

I spoke with Skynyrd fans, Howard and Melody Watkins who made the trip from Nashville, IN to see the show and got their thoughts. Howard said, “I’ve loved them ever since I first heard them over 40 years ago”.  His wife, super-fan, Melody told me that this was her 28th time seeing them since the first time when she was seven years old. She added, “I actually saw ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd together at Market Square Arena right before they tore it down”.  She said, “I’m absolutely a Southern Rock fan but a I’m a Van Zant fan in general!”

For more information about ZZ Top, you can find them on all social media outlets or visit their official website at zztop.com.

Lynyrd Skynyrd can also be found on all social media or at their official website at lynyrdskynyrd.com.

To keep up with The Outlaws, go to their official website at outlawsmusic.com.

For the schedule of upcoming concerts at Ruoff Music Center, visit ruoffmusiccenter.net.