ZZ Top guitarist and frontman Billy Gibbons has confirmed a long-rumored piece of rock folklore: the band actually was supplied a large payday to shave off their iconic beards — they and turned it down.
Throughout a latest look on the Mohr Stories podcast, hosted by comic and actor Jay Mohr, Gibbons revealed that the shaving firm Gillette as soon as approached him and then-ZZ High bassist Dusty Hill with a staggering provide. “It is true,” Gibbons stated. “They deny it. It was one million {dollars} per man.”
In line with Gibbons, the provide got here with the expectation that the 2 bearded bandmates would shave on digital camera for a Gillette industrial — one thing that might have basically altered ZZ High‘s immediately recognizable picture.
Earlier than making a choice, Gibbons and Hill consulted music business veteran Bob Merlis. “We known as Mr. Merlis,” Gibbons recalled. “I stated, ‘Bob, we acquired this provide.’ ‘What?’ I stated, ‘We have been supplied one million {dollars} every to shave on TV.'”
Merlis acknowledged the monetary upside but in addition raised an important — and fairly legitimate, humorous — level. “He stated, ‘Properly, the cash’s good,'” Gibbons continued. “He stated, ‘You may as effectively contemplate doing it, however I am not so certain you guys — any of you guys — know what’s underneath there.'”
In the end, Gibbons and Hill determined to go on the provide. “So we handed,” Gibbons stated. “We handed, and our followers liked it. Phrase acquired out.”
And yeah, $1 million {dollars} was some huge cash in 1984 when the provide was made. However are you able to think about even for a second seeing ZZ High with out their beards? Too bizarre.
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