Ep 12: ZZ Top

Ep 12: ZZ Top

Author: With Bob Heil December 15, 2016 Duration: 30:05

Before ZZ Top were sharp dressed men they were just a little three piece band from Texas. With no beards. But they had "that sound" driven by Billy Gibbons unmistakable guitar and vocal. Bob Heil and Heil Sound were there on the band's early tours perfecting the live sound where, with a trio, everything mattered.

 
In this episode you will hear a wonderful and wide ranging discussion by Bob of his work with ZZ Top including some of his secrets for getting the critical guitar and bass sounds on the road. You will also be treated to some little known nuggets too – Billy Gibbons is a voracious reader – so enjoy!

Step inside the control booth and workshop of a true audio legend with 50 Years of Maximum Rock n' Roll. Hosted by Dave Hines, this podcast is a direct line to the life and mind of concert sound pioneer Bob Heil. Each episode unfolds like a backstage pass, weaving together personal journals and untold history from the heart of the rock and roll explosion. You’ll hear Bob’s firsthand accounts from the chaotic, groundbreaking tours with bands like The Who, Humble Pie, and the James Gang, where the very idea of modern live sound was being forged night after deafening night. The stories go deep into the gear that shaped an era, including the intimate tale of creating the iconic Talk Box that defined a generation through Peter Frampton’s voice. This isn't just a look back; it’s a living conversation. Bob is joined by special guests who were right there in the trenches with him, sharing their perspectives on the culture and society that swirled around the music. And because innovation never stopped, he pulls back the curtain on his current work, discussing the cutting-edge microphone designs he’s developing today. For anyone fascinated by the intersection of music, technology, and personal history, this podcast offers a rare, unfiltered journey through five decades of sonic revolution, told by the man who helped turn the volume up to eleven.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 15

50 Years of Maximum Rock n' Roll
Podcast Episodes
S1:E04: The Story of the Heil Talk Box [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:12
Topics: Talkbox, Dunlop, Bon Jovi, Slash, Tool Bob Heil is perhaps known best for developing the Talk Box, the renowned device that has been used by rock guitarists for decades to produce a variety of unique sounds. But…
S1:E03: Joe Walsh and the History of Heil Sound [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:43
Topics: Joe Walsh, James Gang, Goldline Pro, The Fin, phantom power Synopsis What comes to mind when you think of Joe Walsh? You probably think of his incredible contribution to rock music through The Eagles and James Ga…
S1:E02: Bob Heil and the Modern Stage Monitor System [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:45
Topics: Jeff Beck, Grateful Dead, monitors, The Who, ZZ Top Synopsis One of the most important, yet most overlooked, parts of a sound system is the monitor setup. Monitors allow the band members to hear themselves and on…
S1:E01: From Substitute Organist to the World's Biggest Concert Stages [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:05
Topics: The Grateful Dead, Heil Talk Box, Ham Radio, The Who, Joe Walsh Synopsis: If you’ve ever listened to Joe Walsh’s “Rocky Mountain Way” or “Do You Feel Like I Do”” by Peter Frampton, you of course heard of the Heil…