ZZ Top doesn’t disappoint in Santa Rosa

The Northern California chapter of the league of bearded men, otherwise known as ZZ Top fans, filled Santa Rosa’s Wells Fargo Center to hear the Texas trio play Wednesday night.

A sold-out crowd of more than 1,600 shouting, stamping fans heard long-bearded guitarist Billy Gibbons and bassist Dusty Hill blast the hall with the band’s patented brand of power boogie, played fast and loud and all backed by drummer Frank Beard, the only one without a beard.

“We’ve been comin’ around for four decades - the same three guys and the same chords,” Gibbons told the crowd.

There were a lot of beards in the crowd, too, many of them worn as long the band’s famous beards. Only one fan’s beard was an obvious fake, with hooks over the wearer’s ears to keep it on.

“It’s a unique sound,” said fan Brad Bowman, 53, of Santa Rosa who wears his beard squared-off at the bottom in classic ZZ Top style. “I was listening to their ‘Tres Hombres’ before the show. It’s the first new album I ever bought, back in 1975, when I was in junior high.”

Terry Keeter, 67, drove down from Willits to see the show, setting off his bold white beard with a leather cap and bib overalls.

“I’ve been following ZZ Top all over, when they’re in Northern California,” Keeter said. “I like their rock ’n’ roll. They just keep sticking with something that works.”

The band - known for “Legs” and other hits - rocked right through the fans’ favorites, starting with “Got Me Under Pressure” and “Gimme All Your Lovin’?” and building up to “Sharp Dressed Man” later in the show.

The concert began with a strong half-hour set by Santa Rosa rock band Kingsborough.

“We’re proud to be onstage opening for a band that heavily influences us still,” lead singer Billy Kingsborough said.

ZZ Top is scheduled to perform April 24 in Laughlin, Nev., and continue at venues all over the United States through mid-September.

You can reach staff writer Dan Taylor at 521-5243 or dan.taylor@pressdemocrat.com. Read his Arts blog at arts.blogs.pressdemocrat.com.