ZZ Top Celebrated Elwood Francis’ Birthday in Dubuque

ZZ Top rolled into Dubuque yesterday and played a fantastic show at the Five Flags Center - but one little detail separated this show from the rest along their tour.

The newest member of the group, Elwood Francis, celebrated his birthday Tuesday.

Not only did he get a cool little Facebook post showing it was Elwood's day, but between Pearl Necklace and I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide, Billy Gibbons stopped the show.

"I wanna let everyone know it's Elwood's birthday today," he said, as a crew member brought out a cake and the audience sang happy birthday.

Elwood blew out the candle and dipped his finger in the frosting before the cake was taken back off stage - surely to his tour bus where he'll eat it on the road.

Check out the video:

Elwood has been a long standing tech for the group, and shortly before bassist Dusty Hill's death mid-tour last year, he insisted that Elwood fill the hole he'd be leaving. The band missed a show to grieve the loss of their bandmate and lifelong friend, but they got back on stage.

"Well, it was an unexpected reality that landed not only in my lap, but allowed me to hunker down and get serious with Mr. Beard," Gibbons told Classic Rock. "And the two of us both agreed that as an honor to the legacy of the band, we felt it would be more suitable to try to pick up sticks and carry on, rather than just throw in the towel."

Being at the show last night, Elwood did a fantastic job covering Dusty's part - even right down to the chest length beard that the band is known for.

ZZ Top's next couple stops include:

AUG 24: The Sylvee - Madison, WI
AUG 26: TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park - Indianapolis, IN
AUG 27: Beaver Dam Amphitheater - Beaver Dam, KY
AUG 28: Appalachian Wireless Arena - Pikeville, KY
SEP17: Hard Rock Live Tulsa - Catoosa, OK

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