Longhorn fans are no strangers to wild tailgates, but nothing compares to the chaos of ZZ Top’s infamous show on September 1, 1974.
The event, held at UT’s stadium, quickly spiraled into mayhem, with concertgoers setting fire to the newly installed Astroturf and even cutting out a Texas-shaped hole in the grass.Promoted as ZZ Top’s First Annual Texas Size Rompin’ Stompin’ Barn Dance and Bar B. Q., the concert featured legendary acts like Santana, Joe Cocker, and Bad Company.
While the musical talent was undeniable, the event fell short on some of its promises, especially the barbecue. Attendees were frustrated to find that the cost of food wasn’t included in the ticket price. Matters got worse when both the barbecue and water ran out well before the concert ended.
According to The Cactus UT’s yearbook, concession manager Steve Smith was caught off guard by the enormous crowd. Originally prepared for a smaller number of attendees, the final turnout was far larger (around 80,000) than expected. By the evening, the festival had devolved into a “claustrophobic, overheated mess” as concertgoers endured intense heat and long waits for basic necessities.
The “rompin’ and stompin’” were definitely on display. Fans, desperate for water, ripped sinks from bathroom walls. With the combination of heat and rampant drug use, numerous ambulances were dispatched to nearby hospitals.
One attendee even woke up in a first aid room the next morning, confused about what time ZZ Top had played, only to learn he’d missed the entire show.
In a 2008 interview with Texas Monthly, ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons recalled facing head coach Darrell K Royal, who was furious about the disaster. Royal vowed never to host another concert at the stadium, and he kept his word.
It wasn’t until many years later, after Royal’s retirement, that The Eagles finally played there again. Despite the chaos, the event remains a wild chapter in the history of rock concerts and Longhorn lore.
