ZZ TOP / EL LOCO Press release. Walter Belgers - wsgwwb@urc.tue.nl -- ZZ TOP STORMS CONTINENT ----------------------- In one of the most succesful debut European tours ever launched by a Warner Bros. artist, ZZ Top's 22 date October tour of the continent created a sen- sation rarely witnessed on that side of the Atlantic. The Texas-based trio, whose latest Warner Bros. release El Loco, soared to the top of many ------- European charts as a result of the tour, performed for sold-out crowds in Scandinavia, Benelux, Germany and France. The result was pandemonium and, in one case, a near riot. In Stockholm, where the group did one date only, the venue was sold out in a matter of hours, sparking heavy airplay on Swedish radio and an upsurge in ZZ Top catalog sales. The band's Copenhagen performance was met with wild enthusiasm by critics and fans alike. The two hour concert ended with dancing in the aisles and a Danish newspaper account that remarked, "They came, they played, they conquered." In London, the band's sold-out appearance was attended by such luminaries as The Police, Nick Lowe, and labelmates Thin Lizzy. Ticket response, according to WEA U.K. spokesperson, was unprecedented. Each of ZZ Top's eight German appearances, in such cities as Berlin, Frankfurt, and Hamburg were sold out weeks in advance. As in almost all countries in their European tour, critical response in Germany was overwhelmingly favor- able. But it was in Paris where the group met its most fervent and unexpected response. Demand for tickets for the band's Pavilion performance caused a complete sell-out weeks in advance. A second show, also sold out immediately, was added, but there was still a minor riot the evening of the second perform- ance caused by disappointed French fans unable to see the show. "There is no doubt that ZZ Top has become a major touring act in Europe," remarked Tom Ruffino, Warner Bros. Vice President of International. "We sensed a groundswell of interest at the time of the release of Deguello, -------- but held off until now to see how it would develop. The response was spec- tacular. We booked them this time around in 3,000 to 4,000 seat venues. We could easily have gone for 10,000 seaters, which we fully expect to fill when the band returns next year." 111881