La Grange: ZZ Top's Anthem That Captures the Essence of Southern Rock

The music of the band ZZ Top is unique in classic rock, but the music is not the only thing unique about this band, there are interesting details about ZZ Top that you probably don't know. Here is the story of the famous bearded companions.

So let's start

Let's face it, when you think of ZZ Top the first thing that comes to mind is the beards that these guys have been sporting since before many of us were born. Whether you know a ZZ Top song or not you've seen these beards.

Can you imagine seeing singer and guitarist Billy Gibson or artist Dusty Hill clean shaven or with a manageable beard well?

There was a time when the style was their preferred look. Contrary to what you might expect, the band spent their first decade without their iconic facial hair and a trend towards short beards and both arrived at a meeting after having been on holiday both had forgotten to care for themselves and their beards had become impressive from an uncoordinated action that reportedly made them not recognise each other at first sight.

Once they realized they had grown a very distinctive facial hair the beards stayed forever, you should point out that the only member of the band who didn't announce a huge beard was the person whose name should have been demanded by drummer Frank Beard. Once the beards reached their chests they weren't going anywhere, not only have they stayed but here they look like Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill have thrown away the razors forever they flat out refuse to cut it.

Origin and inspiration

The song is inspired by a famous brothel called The Chicken Ranch, located in the small town of La Grange, Texas. This place had a legendary reputation and operated for decades before being closed. Although the lyrics do not explicitly mention the brothel, they do subtly allude to the place and the type of clientele that frequented it. The Chicken Ranch was also the inspiration for the Broadway musical and film The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.

Despite its success, "La Grange" generated some controversy due to its allusions to the brothel, a subject that could be taboo at the time. However, the song remained a more humorous and folkloric tale than offensive.

"La Grange" is much more than a song; it is a tribute to classic blues and the rebellious spirit of southern rock. ZZ Top, with their unique style and iconic beards, managed to capture a timeless essence that is still relevant today.