Wee Z Top Adventure in Hollywood
By Russ Allsup
Last week I went on the website 1iota.com to see what upcoming guest were going to be appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live and some of the other TV shows that are filmed in Hollywood. Anyone that joins the site can request tickets so they can be an audience member during a live taping. I’d been to a few of these in the past like Alanis Morrisette, Smashing Pumpkins, and a few others, so I’ll usually check in every couple of weeks just to see if anyone good will be making a guest appearance. It just so happened that one of my favorite bluesy rock bands were going to be appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live. A band I haven’t seen since Mt. Aire way back in 1986- the mighty ZZ Top. When I saw that they would be performing a mini concert for free I immediately requested a ticket and got one. Eureka!
About a week later it was showtime. First I went to Amoeba Records on Sunset Blvd., where I stumbled across an old Rolling Stone Magazine with Jimmy Kimmel on the cover that was only a buck. Bought it just incase I ran into Jimmy so he could sign it. After Amoeba, I headed to Hollywood Blvd., parked my car, put two bucks in the parking meter and made my way to the Kimmel concert stage, which is behind the building on Hollywood Blvd. where the show is filmed.
Made my way in and realized I’d be watching ZZ Top in the rain. Love it! Actually my idea of cool. It was billed as a “mini concert”, so it only be for 4-8 songs anyway. Let it rain- let’s get this party started. Right before ZZ Top came out, it was announced that there would be a big surprise for the audience. LA’s favorite sons WEEZER would be joining ZZ Top onstage! Only in Hollywood. This was a huge deal for me, as Weezer have been one of my very favorite bands since their first album came out back in the early 90’s. Back then they were playing small venues throughout Hollywood and a band I was in at the time actually shared the stage with them at the Whiskey A Go Go on a Monday night back in 1993 during a weekly local show called the No Bozo Jam which was 12 bands for three bucks. But I digress as they say. Behind the drum riser on the screen it said Wee Z Top. Brilliant! NOW I was really ready for some rock n’ roll.
First Weezer came out on the stage to big cheers, then the legends themselves, ZZ Top came out to HUGE cheers. Jimmy Kimmel came onstage and introduced the supergroup nobody could have seen coming- Wee Z Top!. They tore into a mean version of “Sharp Dressed Man” that revved along like a ’57 Chevy. After that, Weezer left the stage and ZZ Top played a few of their many classics including ‘La Grange’, ‘Gimme All Your Lovin’, ‘Got Me Under Pressure’, and finished it all off with an extended version of Tush. They sounded great and managed to drive the rain away with the power of their blusey rockin’ tunes. Just a great free show in the heart of Hollywood.
Never did get Jimmy to sign my Rolling Stone mag, but did run into Weezer and they were kind enough to sign it, along with giving me a couple of guitar picks. I was on cloud nine. Seriously- I’ve listened to that first Weezer album probably a thousand times. One of my all- time favorites. As far as current songwriters go, Rivers Cuomo is maybe my favorite out of guys that are still going strong and putting out good records. What a cool, cheap night in Hollywood.
To top it off, when I went back to my car, I just so happened to be parked right in front of Boardner’s, which is one of the most historic resturant / bars still in operation in Hollywood. I decided to grab a cup of coffee because well, this was Boardners I was in front of. This is one of those places where upon entering, you can honestly feel the history that has taken place there. Its history goes back to 1942. Since then, it’s been a hangout for movie stars of every era, and has also been used in many movies and TV shows. Framed 8 x 10’s of many of the stars hang on the walls there.
I had what was honestly the best cup of coffee I’ve ever drank while I sat in a booth under pictures of a couple of former customers, Johnny Carson and Lucille Ball, while taking in the vibes and looking at Dean Martin’s picture while “That’s Amore” played over the speakers. Maybe the coolest bar I’ve ever been in. And I’ve been in a few. After that, I took a few pictures of Hollywood Blvd., with the neon signs reflecting off the rain soaked pavement, and thought about what a lovely evening it was.
Probably about 68 degrees in January. Gotta love it. Topped it all off with some taco truck tacos. Another adventure down. On to the next adventure!
