By Wilson                                            H.C.R. No. 263

         75R15487 JTR-D                           

                             HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 1-1           WHEREAS, On May 15, 1997, Governor George W. Bush will

 1-2     welcome Texas rock band ZZ Top to the State Capitol, and it is

 1-3     indeed fitting at this time to recognize the group's many

 1-4     achievements; and

 1-5           WHEREAS, First formed in 1969 by bandmates Frank Beard,

 1-6     Billy F Gibbons, and Dusty Hill, ZZ Top was forged in the furnace

 1-7     of Houston's legendary blues scene, and by imbuing the swing and

 1-8     savor of classic blues with the aggressive crackle of live-wire

 1-9     rock, the group created a supercharged sonic cyclone that was to

1-10     influence an entire generation of musicians across the country and

1-11     around the world; and

1-12           WHEREAS, In their more than a quarter-century of playing

1-13     together, this talented trio have conspired to create some of the

1-14     era's most memorable music, including such perennial favorites as

1-15     "Legs," "Tush," "La Grange," and "Sharp Dressed Man"; peerless

1-16     performers, their Texas-sized sense of showmanship has ensured that

1-17     each ZZ Top tour is more eagerly awaited than the last; and

1-18           WHEREAS, Famous throughout the globe as "That Little Ol' Band

1-19     from Texas," ZZ Top has for years been among the Lone Star State's

1-20     most gregarious goodwill ambassadors, and in recent years they have

1-21     taken their show on the road to such far-flung locales as the Czech

1-22     Republic, Spain, Italy, Russia, Poland, Latvia, Estonia, South

1-23     Africa, and Alaska; and

1-24           WHEREAS, Although known for their undisputed mastery of

 2-1     chopped and channeled high-tech rock, the members of ZZ Top have

 2-2     always returned to their roots in the blues for sustenance and

 2-3     inspiration, and they have established themselves as worthy heirs

 2-4     to the rich tapestry of Texas traditions that have shaped the

 2-5     state's musical heritage; now, therefore, be it

 2-6           RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas

 2-7     hereby declare May 15, 1997, ZZ Top Day in Texas and extend to the

 2-8     members of the band sincere best wishes for continued success and

 2-9     happiness in the years to come; and, be it further

2-10           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

2-11     prepared for the group as an expression of high regard by the Texas

2-12     House of Representatives and Senate.