In the great book of music history, no one will put ZZ Top on a par with the Beatles or the Rolling Stones, but at the Festival d’été de Québec there is a before and an after of ZZ Top. .
The Texas Beard Concert on July 10, 2005 on the Plains of Abraham changed everything. This is the foundation upon which the gigantic musical gathering from which FEQ has evolved was built.
Prior to 2005, Quebec and Francophonie artists were the majority of headliners marching through the Plains during FEQ. At the suggestion of former general director Daniel Gélinas, the festival has decided to focus on international stars.
ZZ Top therefore served as a guinea pig. With success.
An estimated 75,000 people turned out to watch the trio spin their guitars and sing their hits “La Grange,” “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” “Sharp Dressed Man” and “Legs.” Never before has a show on the Plains attracted so many people during the Festival d’été.
The arrival of ZZ Top had caused the event to be held outside the confines of the Plains. In a nod to the cover of his Eliminator album, a parade and display of hot rod vehicles was held in Upper Town.
After ZZ Top, anything became possible for the FEQ, which then went on to record icons like Elton John, Metallica, the Rolling Stones, Stevie Wonder and many others.