Author Archives: J.J.

King Ernest rides with Lester Butler on 1997’s ‘Black Bag Blues’

Lester Butler contributed the song “Black Bag Blues,” and his distinctive harmonica playing, to California soul singer King Ernest’s 1997 release “King of Hearts.”

Red Devils show ’em in Missouri in 1992

The Red Devils played several shows in Missouri in 1992, including two at The Regency Showcase in Springfield, Mo. Their first date was Aug. 22, 1992, according to an “Early Warning” brief in the Aug. 13, 1992, Springfield News-Leader. The band’s next show at the Regency would be just a month and a half later,Continue reading “Red Devils show ’em in Missouri in 1992”

Belinda + Buster: When Bill Bateman and Go-Go’s singer were ‘first couple of Hollywood’

Cadillacs, meat bones and a new haircut: In 1982, Bill Bateman and Belinda Carlisle felt like “the first couple of Hollywood”

Red Devils play essential set on ‘2 Meter Sessies’ (1993)

At the top of their game, The Red Devils performed its essential “2 Meter Sessies” set during its European tour in May 1993.

The legend of the Kid Ramos/Lester Butler ‘hard-edge blues unit’ Snake Snake

“My idea was … a raw, hard-edge blues unit,” Kid Ramos tells nofightin.com about 1997’s mythical supergroup Snake Snake, fronted by Lester Butler.

ZZ Top’s Dusty Hill, 1949-2021

Dusty Hill, the man who held down bass guitar duties and lent his unmistakable vocals to hits such as “Tush,” “Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers” and “Heard It on the X,” died Wednesday, July 28, 2021. He was 72. He had been off the road for a short while, with ZZ’s guitar tech Elwood FrancisContinue reading “ZZ Top’s Dusty Hill, 1949-2021”