ZZ Top returns to Europe for a tour kicking off on October 1 in Helsinki, Finland followed by 21 stops at major arenas and concert halls in Germany,
Sweden, Denmark, France, Belgium, Austria, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Croatia, Holland, Italy and winding down November 1 in London, England. The dates fulfill a commitment made to fans and concert promoters in 1999 when the European leg of their world tour had to be cancelled. Back then, following an extensive tour throughout North American and Asia Pacific markets, Dusty Hill was diagnosed with Hepatitis C, forcing the band to cancel indefinitely the planned European leg of that worldwide tour.
Since then, Dusty has been extremely diligent in following his doctors’ orders culminating with their declaring his condition to be in remission. This year, in fact, ZZ TOP has done some domestic touring in the midst of the ongoing recording project that will result in a new RCA album to be released in 2003. Dusty Hill commented, “I’m living proof that Hepatitis C can be contained and that ZZ TOP cannot. We’re all very excited to be going back to Europe to pick up where we left off. ”
Bandmate Billy F Gibbons, added, “This one is just for the fans; they’ve been amazingly loyal to us through all this and
we’re looking forward to giving them what they so richly deserve.”
Frank Beard remarked, “It’s great that we can go out and do what we do for everybody who’s been so supportive while
we’ve been off the road.”
The band has been making its mark in a number of impressive contexts this year. In February, ZZ TOP performed for the first time at the annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo before a crowd of 57,000 delirious hometown fans in the Astrodome. This spring, RCA Records Nashville released Sharp Dressed Men: A Tribute to ZZ Top, a collection of 15 classic ZZ TOP songs recorded by a like number of major male country artists including Willie Nelson, Alan Jackson, Dwight Yoakam, Brooks & Dunn, and others. In connection with the project, ZZ TOP made a special guest appearance in Brad Paisley’s video of the lead single “Sharp Dressed Man.”
It is expected that a comprehensive world tour, including additional European concert date beyond those that have just been announced will follow the release of the new album. Despite all their continuing globetrotting and high profile activities, ZZ TOP remains in the hearts of their millions of fans “that little ol’ band from Texas”
ZZ Top 2002 European itinerary:
October 1–Hartwall Arena; Helsinki, Finland
October 3–Hovet; Stockholm, Sweden
October 5–Arena; Aarlborg, Denmark
October 7–Falkoner; Copenhagen, Denmark
October 8–Sporthalle; Hamburg, Germany
October 10–Arena; Berlin, German
October 11–Messehalle; Leipzig, Germany
October 12–Jahrhunderthalle; Frankfurt, Germany
October 14–Le Zenith; Paris, France
October 15–E-Werk; Saarbrucken, Germany
October 16–Forest National; Brussels, Belgium
October 18—Grugahalle; Essen, Germany
October 19–Olympiahalle; Munich, Germany
October 20–Schleyerhalle; Stuttgart, Germany
October 22–Spark 7; Vienna, Austria
October 23–Paegas Arena; Prague, Czech Republic
October 24–Dom Sportava; Zagreb, Croatia
October 26–Hallenstadion; Zurich, Switzerland
October 27–Palavabis; Milan, Italy
October 29–Heineken Hall; Amsterdam, Netherlands
October 31–Apollo; Manchester, England
November 1–Apollo Hammersmith; London, England
