Z.Z. Hill

Z.Z Hill ( born Arziel Hill September 30, 1935, Naples, Texas — died April 27, 1984, Dallas, Texas) was a popular charting southern blues singer and guitarist from the late 60's until his death in the mid 1980s. He made recordings released on a variety of labels, including Kent, M.H, Capricorn, Quinvy, Atlantic, Mankind, Hill, United Artists Columbia and later Malaco.

He started his career as a gospel singer touring Texas with The Spiritual Five in the 1950's but started gigging solo in Dallas in local R&B clubs with the bands of Big Bo Thomas and Frank Shelton. By the mid 60's he was recording soulful rock n roll with an emphasis on bluesy balladry. Z.Z Hill's style is somewhat reminiscent of other southern blues & soul singers like Percy Sledge, Bobby Bland and his biggest influence B.B King, which is supposedly where he got the idea to shorten his name to Z.Z.

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