This is only a preview. The auction will open on: 10/28/2026 1:00:00 PM
Offered Here: ZZ Top 1981-1982 El Loco-Motion Tour Lot of 12 Concert Tickets
Item Details: This listing features a marvelous piece of classic rock ephemera with this ZZ Top 1981-1982 El Loco-Motion Tour lot of 12 concert tickets. This extensive collection spans from July 1981 through September 1982, capturing the precise transitional era of the legendary Texas band as they promoted their El Loco album and refined the synthesis of blues-rock with electronic elements that would soon define their massive 1980s commercial breakthrough. The lot contains twelve distinct United States and international concert tickets, offering a comprehensive archival snapshot of their high-energy tour stops and serving as a fantastic addition to any rock and roll collection or retrospective display.
Provenance / Authenticity: This lot comes from the archives of Bill “Pete” Tickle, who was hired as a crew member in 1969 by ZZ Top manager Bill Ham. With there already being two Billy’s (Gibbons and Ham), and to avoid any additional first name confusion, Tickle was called “Pete” from that point forward. In the years following, Tickle contributed to the recording of the song “Mushmouth Shoutin” in 1972 on the Rio Grande Mud album, became production manager, and eventually the band’s tour manager. He parted ways with ZZ Top in 1984 and passed away in 2018.
Formed in Houston in 1969, ZZ Top built its reputation on Texas blues-rock and relentless touring, with the lineup of Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill and Frank Beard remaining unchanged for more than five decades. Their 1981 album El Loco, featuring songs such as "Tube Snake Boogie" and "Pearl Necklace," was the band's first to experiment with synthesizers and studio effects alongside their blues foundation. That approach led directly to 1983's Eliminator, whose MTV-driven success made the trio one of the best-selling acts of the decade and helped secure their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004.
Condition: The vintage tickets are in very good to good condition, displaying common signs of wear, ageing, and storage expected from authentic paper concert ephemera from over four decades ago. The print, venue names, and dates remain clearly legible across the pieces, with some naturally showing typical gate entry clipping or stub separation while preserving the striking retro graphics of the era.
SKU: ZZB2002