Bill Ham
Encyclopedia
Bill Ham was the manager, producer, and image-maker of ZZ Top
, from its inception in late 1969 until September 2006.
and came backstage to compliment the band. Later when The Sidewalks decided to leave their manager, Steve Ames, and form a new band, Mitchell asked Ham if he would be interested as the manager for the new band.
Ham was instrumental to ZZ Top's success, co-writing songs, producing their hit albums, and constructing their image, and he continued as manager up to and including 1996's Rhythmeen
album and tour. Ham also recruited the Texas guitarist Jay Boy Adams
into the ZZ Top's band.
While most of Ham's career has been managing and producing ZZ Top, he made a record of his own as a singer for Dot Records
before becoming ZZ Top's manager. His producer was Pat Boone
. Ham also has produced such artists as Kinky Friedman
and Point Blank
.
ZZ Top
ZZ Top is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "That Little Ol' Band from Texas". Their style, which is rooted in blues-based boogie rock, has come to incorporate elements of arena, southern, and boogie rock. The band, from Houston Texas, formed in 1969...
, from its inception in late 1969 until September 2006.
Career
The band which ultimately became ZZ Top was originally the "Moving Sidewalks". When Tom Moore and Don Summers were drafted, Dan Mitchell and Billy Gibbons changed the name to ZZ Top. Lanier Greig was added and the original ZZ Top was formed . Bill Ham was a record promo man for Bud Dailey Distributing when he saw the Sidewalks perform at a Doors concert in HoustonHouston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
and came backstage to compliment the band. Later when The Sidewalks decided to leave their manager, Steve Ames, and form a new band, Mitchell asked Ham if he would be interested as the manager for the new band.
Ham was instrumental to ZZ Top's success, co-writing songs, producing their hit albums, and constructing their image, and he continued as manager up to and including 1996's Rhythmeen
Rhythmeen
Rhythmeen is the 12th studio album by American blues rock band ZZ Top, released in 1996.-Reception:Allmusic gave it a mixed review, by stating: "ZZ Top's long-awaited return to blues finally arrived in 1996, well over a decade after they abandoned their simple three-chord boogie for a synth and...
album and tour. Ham also recruited the Texas guitarist Jay Boy Adams
Jay Boy Adams
James Wallace Adams, known as Jay Boy Adams , is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist from Lubbock and San Antonio, Texas, known particularly for his talent for storytelling in his songs.-Early years:...
into the ZZ Top's band.
While most of Ham's career has been managing and producing ZZ Top, he made a record of his own as a singer for Dot Records
Dot Records
Dot Records was an American record label and company that was active between 1950 and 1977. It was founded by Randy Wood. In Gallatin, Tennessee, Wood had earlier started a mail order record shop, known for its radio ads on WLAC in Nashville and its R&B air personality Bill "Hoss" Allen...
before becoming ZZ Top's manager. His producer was Pat Boone
Pat Boone
Charles Eugene "Pat" Boone is an American singer, actor and writer who has been a successful pop singer in the United States during the 1950s and early 1960s. He covered black artists' songs and sold more copies than his black counterparts...
. Ham also has produced such artists as Kinky Friedman
Kinky Friedman
Richard S. "Kinky" Friedman is an American Texas Country singer, songwriter, novelist, humorist, politician and former columnist for Texas Monthly who styles himself in the mold of popular American satirists Will Rogers and Mark Twain. He was one of two independent candidates in the 2006 election...
and Point Blank
Point Blank (band)
Point Blank is an American rock and roll band hailing from Texas. The band formed in 1974 and recorded six albums between 1976 and 1982. Garnering occasional airplay on AOR radio stations, the band is best known for their 1981 hit single, "Nicole"....
.