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ZZ Top's eighth studio album, Eliminator, was released in 1985.
Answer: False
ZZ Top's eighth studio album, Eliminator, was released on March 23, 1983, not 1985, marking a significant milestone in the band's discography.
Eliminator incorporated new wave and synth-rock elements, signifying a deliberate stylistic departure from ZZ Top's traditional blues rock sound.
Answer: True
Eliminator indeed integrated new wave and synth-rock, representing a deliberate evolution from the band's established blues rock style through the incorporation of electronic elements and an increased tempo.
Eliminator achieved sales of 5 million copies and Platinum certification in the United States by December 1996.
Answer: False
By December 1996, Eliminator had achieved significantly higher commercial success in the US, with sales of 11 million copies and Diamond certification, rather than 5 million and Platinum.
The album title 'Eliminator' was initially proposed by Billy Gibbons, referencing his customized car.
Answer: False
The initial album title suggestion was 'Top Fuel' by filmmaker Mike Griffin, which Bill Ham then evolved into 'Eliminator', referencing a drag racing term and Gibbons's car.
Eliminator remained on the Canadian album charts for over 100 weeks.
Answer: True
Eliminator maintained a strong presence on the Canadian album charts, spending 101 weeks there between April 1983 and March 1985.
Eliminator achieved the peak position of number 1 on the UK Albums Chart.
Answer: False
Eliminator achieved a peak position of number 3 on the UK Albums Chart, not number 1.
Eliminator received Diamond certification in Canada, representing sales of 1,000,000 units.
Answer: True
Eliminator was awarded Diamond certification in Canada, signifying sales of 1,000,000 units, a testament to its significant commercial success in the region.
The total running length of the Eliminator album is precisely 45 minutes.
Answer: True
The Eliminator album has a precise total running time of 45 minutes and 00 seconds.
What is the title of ZZ Top's eighth studio album, released on March 23, 1983?
Answer: Eliminator
ZZ Top's eighth studio album, released on March 23, 1983, is titled Eliminator.
Which of the following musical genres was NOT a primary characteristic of the Eliminator album's stylistic blend?
Answer: Progressive rock
Eliminator is characterized by hard rock, blues rock, new wave, and synth-rock, but not progressive rock.
What was the commercial success of Eliminator in the United States by December 1996, in terms of sales and certification?
Answer: 11 million copies and Diamond certification
By December 1996, Eliminator had achieved sales of 11 million copies and Diamond certification in the US, making it ZZ Top's most commercially successful release.
What was the initial album title proposed by filmmaker Mike Griffin before its evolution into 'Eliminator'?
Answer: 'Top Fuel'
Filmmaker Mike Griffin's initial suggestion for the album title was 'Top Fuel', which Bill Ham subsequently adapted to 'Eliminator'.
For what duration did Eliminator remain on the Canadian album charts?
Answer: 101 weeks
Eliminator maintained a presence on the Canadian album charts for an impressive 101 weeks, from April 1983 to March 1985.
What was Eliminator's peak chart position on the UK Albums Chart?
Answer: Number 3
Eliminator achieved a peak position of number 3 on the highly competitive UK Albums Chart.
What certification did Eliminator receive in the United Kingdom, representing sales of 1,200,000 units?
Answer: 4x Platinum
In the United Kingdom, Eliminator was certified 4x Platinum, signifying sales of 1,200,000 units.
The Eliminator album was produced by Billy Gibbons, who also served as the primary guitarist and lead vocalist.
Answer: False
The Eliminator album was produced by Bill Ham, not Billy Gibbons, although Gibbons was the band's lead guitarist and vocalist.
Billy Gibbons intentionally shifted ZZ Top's musical style for Eliminator towards a slower, more traditional blues sound.
Answer: False
Billy Gibbons intentionally shifted ZZ Top's style for Eliminator towards a faster tempo and incorporated new wave and synth-rock elements, moving away from a slower, traditional blues sound.
During the recording of Eliminator, bassist Dusty Hill's parts and drummer Frank Beard's contributions were largely retained without substantial alterations.
Answer: False
During the recording of Eliminator, producer Bill Ham and engineer Terry Manning significantly edited the songs, replacing much of Dusty Hill's bass parts and Frank Beard's drumming with synthesizers and drum machines, respectively.
Bill Ham advocated for ZZ Top to openly disclose their use of pre-recorded tracks in concerts to highlight their technological innovation.
Answer: False
Bill Ham's strategy was to maintain a 'mystique' of self-sufficiency and authenticity regarding ZZ Top's live performances, despite their use of pre-recorded tracks, rather than openly discussing their technological advancements.
Billy Gibbons's inspiration for incorporating electronic music technology into Eliminator stemmed from American blues artists.
Answer: False
Billy Gibbons's inspiration for incorporating electronic music technology into Eliminator came from British electronic acts like Depeche Mode and Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, not American blues artists.
Billy Gibbons asserted that synthesizers on Eliminator produced a 'thin' sound, thereby allowing his guitar to dominate the overall mix.
Answer: False
Billy Gibbons described the synthesizers on Eliminator as creating a 'nice full bed of sound' and a 'platform' that allowed his guitar to stand out, rather than a 'thin' sound.
For rhythm guitar parts on Eliminator, each chord was played once and double-tracked as a technique to mitigate feedback caused by high sound pressure levels.
Answer: True
To mitigate feedback from high sound pressure levels during rhythm guitar recording for Eliminator, each chord was played once, double-tracked, and then seamlessly blended.
Terry Manning meticulously reworked every part of 'Legs' except Gibbons's guitar and vocals, including programming the drum machine and augmenting drum sounds.
Answer: True
Terry Manning significantly contributed to 'Legs' by reworking all parts except Gibbons's guitar and vocals, programming the drum machine, and augmenting drum sounds using an AMS DMX delay unit.
Al Jourgensen's early drum samples were utilized to refine Eliminator, a contribution for which Billy Gibbons later expressed gratitude.
Answer: True
Billy Gibbons later acknowledged and thanked Al Jourgensen for the use of his early Ministry drum samples, which were instrumental in polishing the sound of Eliminator.
Who served as the producer for the Eliminator album?
Answer: Bill Ham
The Eliminator album was produced by Bill Ham, who guided the creative and recording process.
How did Billy Gibbons primarily effect the evolution of ZZ Top's musical style for Eliminator?
Answer: By increasing tempo and incorporating synthesizers and drum machines
Billy Gibbons evolved ZZ Top's style for Eliminator by increasing the tempo and integrating synthesizers and drum machines, moving towards a new wave sound while retaining blues rock elements.
What occurred regarding Dusty Hill's bass parts during the recording of Eliminator?
Answer: They were replaced by Billy Gibbons or Terry Manning playing bass or a Moog Source keyboard synthesizer.
During the recording of Eliminator, many of Dusty Hill's bass parts were replaced by Billy Gibbons or Terry Manning playing bass, or by a Moog Source keyboard synthesizer.
What was Bill Ham's strategic approach concerning ZZ Top's public image regarding their use of pre-recorded tracks in concerts?
Answer: To create a 'mystique' of self-sufficiency and authenticity despite using pre-recorded tracks.
Bill Ham's strategy was to cultivate a 'mystique' of self-sufficiency for ZZ Top, ensuring that their use of pre-recorded tracks in concerts did not undermine the perception of their live authenticity.
Which British electronic music acts provided inspiration for Billy Gibbons's exploration of electronic music technology for Eliminator?
Answer: Depeche Mode and Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
Billy Gibbons drew inspiration from British electronic acts such as Depeche Mode and Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, which influenced his integration of electronic music technology into Eliminator.
How did Billy Gibbons articulate the function of synthesizers in establishing the novel sound for Eliminator?
Answer: They created a 'nice full bed of sound' that contrasted with his guitar.
Billy Gibbons articulated that synthesizers on Eliminator provided a 'nice full bed of sound' and a 'platform' that allowed his guitar to be prominent and distinct in the mix.
What type of guitars did Billy Gibbons predominantly employ during the recording of Eliminator at Ardent Studios?
Answer: Dean guitars
During the recording sessions for Eliminator at Ardent Studios, Billy Gibbons predominantly utilized Dean guitars equipped with DiMarzio super distortion pickups.
What distinctive technique did Billy Gibbons and Terry Manning implement for rhythm guitar parts on Eliminator to prevent feedback?
Answer: Each chord was played once and double-tracked, then seamlessly blended.
To circumvent feedback issues caused by high sound pressure levels, Billy Gibbons and Terry Manning employed a technique where each rhythm guitar chord was played once, double-tracked, and then meticulously blended.
Which instruments largely supplanted Frank Beard's drumming contributions on Eliminator?
Answer: Drum machines or Simmons SDS-V electronic drums.
Much of Frank Beard's drumming on Eliminator was replaced by drum machines or Simmons SDS-V electronic drums, though his acoustic tom-tom fills and cymbal accents were retained.
What specific and extensive contributions did Terry Manning make to the song 'Legs'?
Answer: He reworked every part except Gibbons's guitar and vocals, including programming the drum machine.
Terry Manning's significant contribution to 'Legs' involved reworking nearly all instrumental parts, excluding Gibbons's guitar and vocals, and programming the Oberheim DMX drum machine.
Whose early drum samples were utilized to refine Eliminator, and by whom was this contribution later acknowledged?
Answer: Al Jourgensen of Ministry
Billy Gibbons later thanked Al Jourgensen of Ministry for the use of his early drum samples, which were utilized in the final polish of Eliminator.
The official songwriting credits for Eliminator were exclusively attributed to Billy Gibbons.
Answer: False
Official songwriting credits for Eliminator were assigned to Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill, and Frank Beard, although Linden Hudson also contributed to several songs and wrote 'Thug'.
Dusty Hill provided the lead vocals for the song 'I Got the Six' on Eliminator.
Answer: True
While Billy Gibbons handled most lead vocals, Dusty Hill notably provided the lead vocals for the song 'I Got the Six' on the Eliminator album.
Jimi Jamison was formally listed as an official band member in the album credits for Eliminator.
Answer: False
Jimi Jamison contributed backing vocals to Eliminator but was not listed as an official band member in the album credits, which only named Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill, and Frank Beard.
What was the resolution of Linden Hudson's 1986 lawsuit concerning the song 'Thug'?
Answer: He won the lawsuit, establishing himself as the composer and receiving $600,000.
Linden Hudson won a 1986 lawsuit, establishing himself as the composer of 'Thug' and receiving $600,000, despite the song initially being credited to Gibbons, Beard, and Hill.
Who provided lead vocals for the song 'I Got the Six' on Eliminator?
Answer: Dusty Hill
Dusty Hill, the band's bassist, performed the lead vocals for the song 'I Got the Six' on the Eliminator album.
'Gimme All Your Lovin'', 'Sharp Dressed Man', 'TV Dinners', and 'Legs' were the four hit singles officially released from Eliminator.
Answer: True
The four hit singles from Eliminator were indeed 'Gimme All Your Lovin'', 'Sharp Dressed Man', 'TV Dinners', and 'Legs', which were instrumental in the album's widespread commercial success and public recognition.
The music videos for Eliminator singles primarily contributed to ZZ Top's popularity by appealing to an older, established audience.
Answer: False
The music videos for Eliminator singles, particularly those in heavy rotation on MTV, were instrumental in expanding ZZ Top's appeal to a younger audience, including teenage girls and boys.
ZZ Top received the MTV Video Music Award for Best Group and Best Group Video in 1984 for their videos from Eliminator.
Answer: True
In 1984, ZZ Top was honored with the MTV Video Music Award for Best Group and Best Group Video, specifically for their innovative music videos associated with the Eliminator album.
The songs 'Legs' and 'Sharp Dressed Man' on Eliminator were both recorded at a tempo of 125 beats per minute.
Answer: True
Both 'Legs' and 'Sharp Dressed Man' from the Eliminator album were recorded at a tempo of 125 beats per minute, contributing to the album's driving beat.
The 'Eliminator' car was constructed by a single custom car shop over a two-year period.
Answer: False
The 'Eliminator' car was built by Don Thelen of Buffalo Motor Cars and Ronnie Jones of Hand Crafted Metal, with assistance from Sid Blackard, and was finished in 1983, not by a single shop over two years.
The 'Eliminator' car is currently exhibited at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.
Answer: True
The iconic 'Eliminator' car is indeed on display at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, where Billy Gibbons occasionally takes it for a drive.
'Gimme All Your Lovin'' attained the number one position on Billboard's Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
Answer: False
'Gimme All Your Lovin'' peaked at the number two position on Billboard's Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, not number one.
Tim Newman directed the music videos for 'Gimme All Your Lovin'', 'Sharp Dressed Man', and 'Legs'.
Answer: True
Filmmaker Tim Newman was responsible for directing the music videos for the hit singles 'Gimme All Your Lovin'', 'Sharp Dressed Man', and 'Legs'.
The 'Legs' music video was notable for introducing ZZ Top's iconic spinning guitars, adorned with white sheepskin.
Answer: True
The 'Legs' music video famously introduced ZZ Top's distinctive spinning guitars, adorned with white sheepskin, which became a memorable part of their visual identity.
The Eliminator tour was characterized as a smaller, more intimate engagement compared to previous ZZ Top tours.
Answer: False
The Eliminator tour was a large-scale production, comparable to their 1976–1977 Worldwide Texas Tour, featuring elaborate stage designs and special effects, rather than a smaller, intimate affair.
Which of these songs was NOT among the hit singles released from Eliminator?
Answer: 'La Grange'
The hit singles from Eliminator were 'Gimme All Your Lovin'', 'Sharp Dressed Man', 'TV Dinners', and 'Legs'. 'La Grange' is from an earlier ZZ Top album.
How did the music videos for Eliminator singles primarily contribute to ZZ Top's expanded popularity?
Answer: By increasing their visibility on MTV and attracting a younger audience.
The music videos for Eliminator singles, with their regular rotation on MTV, significantly boosted ZZ Top's visibility and attracted a new, younger demographic.
Which MTV Video Music Awards did ZZ Top receive in 1984 for their Eliminator videos?
Answer: Best Group and Best Group Video
In 1984, ZZ Top was awarded the MTV Video Music Award for Best Group and Best Group Video for their innovative Eliminator music videos.
What was the tempo for both 'Legs' and 'Sharp Dressed Man' on Eliminator?
Answer: 125 bpm
Both 'Legs' and 'Sharp Dressed Man' on Eliminator were recorded at a brisk tempo of 125 beats per minute.
Who were the principal artisans responsible for constructing the customized 1933 Ford coupe, famously known as the 'Eliminator' car?
Answer: Don Thelen and Ronnie Jones
The customized 1933 Ford coupe, recognized as the 'Eliminator' car, was meticulously constructed by Don Thelen of Buffalo Motor Cars and Ronnie Jones of Hand Crafted Metal.
Where is the 'Eliminator' car currently housed and displayed?
Answer: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland
The famed 'Eliminator' car is permanently housed and displayed at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.
What was the peak position of 'Gimme All Your Lovin'' on Billboard's Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart?
Answer: Number 2
'Gimme All Your Lovin'' achieved a peak position of number two on Billboard's Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
Who directed the music video for 'TV Dinners'?
Answer: Marius Penczner
The music video for 'TV Dinners', which notably featured clay animation, was directed by Marius Penczner.
How did the Eliminator tour compare in scale to ZZ Top's preceding tours?
Answer: It was a return to the larger-than-life scale of their 1976–1977 Worldwide Texas Tour.
The Eliminator tour marked a return to the grand, elaborate scale of ZZ Top's earlier tours, such as the Worldwide Texas Tour, featuring extensive stage designs and special effects.
Eliminator was ranked among the top 100 albums on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
Answer: False
Eliminator was ranked number 398 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, placing it outside the top 100.
Robert Christgau's critical assessment of Eliminator highlighted its 'boogie in overdrive' and the record's energetic, impactful nature.
Answer: True
Music critic Robert Christgau characterized Eliminator as 'boogie in overdrive,' emphasizing its energetic impact and how 'the record runs you over'.
A segment of ZZ Top's fanbase reacted positively to the prominent use of synthesizers and drum machines on Eliminator, embracing the band's new musical direction.
Answer: False
A segment of ZZ Top's fanbase reacted negatively to the album's prominent use of synthesizers and drum machines, leading to speculation that Hill and Beard did not play on the album.
Glen O'Brien of Spin magazine observed in 1986 that the 'average ZZ Top fan' was a long-time follower who appreciated their traditional blues roots.
Answer: False
Glen O'Brien's 1986 observation in Spin magazine indicated that the 'average ZZ Top fan' had shifted from long-time followers to younger individuals who discovered the band through their music videos.
What was Eliminator's ranking on Rolling Stone's authoritative list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time?
Answer: Number 398
Eliminator was recognized on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, securing the number 398 position.
What was Robert Christgau's critical assessment of Eliminator's overall impact?
Answer: He noted its 'boogie in overdrive' and that the record 'runs you over'.
Music critic Robert Christgau characterized Eliminator as 'boogie in overdrive,' emphasizing its energetic impact and how 'the record runs you over'.
How did a segment of ZZ Top's fanbase react to the album's new sound, characterized by prominent synthesizers and drum machines?
Answer: They reacted negatively, leading to speculation that Hill and Beard did not play on the album.
The prominent integration of synthesizers and drum machines on Eliminator elicited a negative reaction from some ZZ Top fans, prompting unfounded speculation that Dusty Hill and Frank Beard were not involved in the album's recording.
According to Glen O'Brien of Spin magazine in 1986, who constituted the 'average ZZ Top fan' at that particular time?
Answer: A young person who discovered them through music videos.
Glen O'Brien's 1986 observation in Spin magazine indicated that the 'average ZZ Top fan' had shifted from long-time followers to younger individuals who discovered the band through their music videos.
Linden Hudson was formally acknowledged by Billy Gibbons as an 'influential associate' and 'gifted songwriter' for his pre-production contributions to Eliminator.
Answer: True
Billy Gibbons publicly acknowledged Linden Hudson's significant contributions during the pre-production phase of Eliminator, recognizing him as an 'influential associate' and 'gifted songwriter'.
ZZ Top's 1978 hiatus was primarily precipitated by creative differences among the band members.
Answer: False
The primary reason for ZZ Top's hiatus in 1978 was the band members' weariness from constant touring, not creative differences.
Frank Beard's home studio, constructed during the band's hiatus, featured an isolation booth for his drum kit and utilized a semi-professional 1-inch 16-track Tascam tape recorder.
Answer: True
Frank Beard's home studio, established during the band's hiatus, was indeed equipped with an isolation booth for his drums and utilized a semi-pro 1-inch 16-track Tascam tape recorder.
Linden Hudson's empirical research, demonstrating that many hit songs clustered near 124 beats per minute, motivated Billy Gibbons to explore electronic music technology.
Answer: True
Linden Hudson's research into hit song tempos, specifically their clustering around 124 beats per minute, significantly influenced Billy Gibbons's decision to integrate electronic music technology into ZZ Top's sound.
What constituted the primary reason for ZZ Top's hiatus in 1978?
Answer: Weariness of constant touring
ZZ Top's 1978 hiatus was primarily motivated by the band members' exhaustion from their extensive and continuous touring schedule.
What actions did Frank Beard undertake during the band's hiatus that culminated in the establishment of a home studio?
Answer: He checked into a detox community and later built a studio to work on new material.
During the hiatus, Frank Beard entered a detox community and subsequently built a home studio to facilitate work on new musical material.
Which of the following was a critical piece of equipment in Frank Beard's home studio?
Answer: A semi-pro 1-inch 16-track Tascam tape recorder
A central component of Frank Beard's home studio was a semi-pro 1-inch 16-track Tascam tape recorder, used for routing microphone signals through a mixing console.
How did Linden Hudson exert influence over Billy Gibbons's adoption of technology for Eliminator?
Answer: He introduced Gibbons to drum machines and research on hit song tempos.
Linden Hudson significantly influenced Billy Gibbons by introducing him to drum machines and presenting research on hit song tempos, which spurred Gibbons's exploration of electronic music technology.