Sharp Dressed Licks: ZZ Top’s Eliminator Makeover (1983)

 In 1983, ZZ Top traded some of their raw Texas blues grit for a sleek, synth-polished sound—and drove straight into music history. Eliminator wasn’t just another album; it was a cultural moment. Packed with hits like “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” “Sharp Dressed Man,” and “Legs,” the record turned the bearded bluesmen into MTV icons, thanks to a series of unforgettable music videos starring hot rods, cool girls, and cooler riffs. In this episode, we’ll explore how producer Bill Ham and the band blended boogie-blues with New Wave gloss, the surprising role of sequencers and drum machines, and how the Eliminator coupe became as famous as the music itself. From garage rock roots to chart-topping superstardom, this is the story of ZZ Top’s turbocharged masterpiece.