If you thought ZZ Top couldn’t get any wilder, think again. Elwood Francis, the band’s bassist and former longtime guitar tech, has taken the stage by storm with a jaw-dropping 17-string bass that’s as outrageous as it is unforgettable. This isn’t just a gimmick—it’s a full-on spectacle that proves ZZ Top’s legacy of eccentricity is alive and kicking.
Stepping into the spotlight after the passing of the legendary Dusty Hill in 2021, Francis has embraced his role with a flair that’s pure ZZ Top. During a now-iconic performance of “Got Me Under Pressure” at the Mark C. Smith Concert Hall in Huntsville, Alabama, on November 5, 2022, he unleashed this yellow, larger-than-life beast of an instrument. With a Fender logo slapped on the headstock (though it’s definitely not your typical Fender), this 17-string monstrosity turned heads and sparked a viral sensation.
The story behind it? Picture this: a late-night internet scroll, a ridiculous find on a Chinese website, and a “hold my beer” moment with frontman Billy Gibbons. Francis sent Gibbons a screenshot of the bass as a joke, suggesting it’d be hilarious to play. Weeks later, Gibbons showed up with it, and the rest is rock ‘n’ roll history. “I hate playing that fucking bass,” Francis later admitted with a laugh in a Guitar World interview, but the crowd’s reaction—and the internet’s obsession—kept it in the setlist.
Don’t let the string count fool you—Francis doesn’t use all 17. A closer look reveals foam muting most of the middle strings, leaving him to groove on just a few. Yet, the skill it takes to wield this beast, swinging from low notes at the top of the neck to higher ones down below, is nothing short of impressive. It’s classic ZZ Top: simple riffs, maximum showmanship.
Since that Huntsville debut, the 17-string bass has become a fan favorite, outshining even the band’s famous fuzzy guitars in some circles. Francis has since added a 15-string “High Selecta” bass to his arsenal, but the 17-string remains the star of the show. Whether you’re a gear nerd, a ZZ Top diehard, or just here for the chaos, this performance is a must-see.
Check out the fan-shot footage online—trust me, you won’t believe your eyes (or ears). Elwood Francis and his mind-blowing 17-string bass are proof that ZZ Top still knows how to rock hard and keep it weird. Don’t miss it!
Elwood Francis: Man and Artist
Elwood Francis is a name that resonates deeply within the world of rock ‘n’ roll, a figure whose journey from behind-the-scenes guitar tech to center-stage bassist with ZZ Top exemplifies both dedication and an unexpected twist of fate. Known for his larger-than-life persona and a penchant for the unconventional, Francis has carved out a unique space in the music industry.
His story is one of grit, talent, and a touch of eccentricity—best exemplified by his now-iconic 17-string bass. But beyond the stage lights and viral moments, who is Elwood Francis, the man and artist? This exploration delves into his life, his craft, and the elements that define him, from his musical innovations to the personal details that intrigue fans, such as Elwood Francis’s wife, his net worth, his age, and even the question, is Elwood Francis’s hair real?
Born on August 23, 1961, in Lexington, Kentucky, Elwood Francis’s age places him at 63 as of March 12, 2025. His roots in the Bluegrass State shaped his early love for music, sparked by his mother’s eclectic record collection and a pivotal gift from his grandfather: his first guitar. At just 13 or 14, Francis began strumming, learning Aerosmith’s “Somebody” and igniting a lifelong passion.
This wasn’t a fleeting teenage hobby—music became his calling. Over the decades, he honed his skills, not just as a player but as a master technician, working with legends like Joe Perry, Steve Vai, and Billy Gibbons. His career as a guitar tech spanned over 30 years, earning him a reputation as one of the best in the business before fate thrust him into the spotlight.
Francis’s transition to bassist for ZZ Top came in 2021, following the death of Dusty Hill, the band’s beloved bassist of over five decades. Hill’s passing left a void, but per his wishes, Francis stepped in—a move that transformed him from a sideline craftsman to a key performer. It wasn’t an easy shift. In interviews, Francis has expressed discomfort with the role, once saying, “Dusty is their bass player. I’m not in the band. I’ll never be in the band.” Yet, his commitment to honoring Hill’s legacy and Gibbons’s encouragement kept him on stage, bass in hand, delivering the grooves that fans adore.
Perhaps the most striking chapter of Francis’s tenure with ZZ Top is his use of the Elwood Francis 17-string bass. This outrageous instrument burst onto the scene during a performance of “Got Me Under Pressure” on November 5, 2022, at the Mark C. Smith Concert Hall in Huntsville, Alabama. Painted a bold yellow and sporting a dubious Fender logo, the 17-string bass wasn’t a planned masterpiece—it was a late-night internet discovery turned reality.
Francis stumbled upon it on a Chinese website, sent a screenshot to Gibbons as a jest, and months later, Gibbons arrived with the beast in tow. “I hate playing that fucking bass,” Francis later confessed to Guitar World, laughing about its unwieldy nature. With foam muting most strings, he plays only a few, relying on skill and showmanship to make it work. Yet, its viral fame—outshining even ZZ Top’s iconic fuzzy guitars—cemented it as a staple, much to his chagrin.
This penchant for the theatrical aligns perfectly with ZZ Top’s legacy of eccentricity, from spinning fur guitars to Francis’s own wild additions. But it’s not just the Elwood Francis 17-string bass that captivates fans—it’s the man himself. Standing at 6 feet 1 inch with a commanding presence, Francis cuts a striking figure. His long, flowing hair and beard, a mix of white and grey, spark curiosity: Is Elwood Francis’s hair real? While he’s never publicly addressed the question, those who’ve worked with him, like fellow musicians on X, vouch for its authenticity, marveling at its consistency. Whether natural or enhanced, it’s undeniably part of his rock-star aura, a visual echo of the larger-than-life persona he brings to the stage.
Away from the spotlight, Francis’s personal life remains a quieter affair, though not without intrigue. Elwood Francis’s wife, Jennifer Francis, has been his partner for over 30 years, a testament to his commitment beyond music. Little is known about Jennifer or their two children, as Francis guards his family’s privacy fiercely. He’s not one for social media—no official Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook accounts bear his name, only fan-made tributes.
This reticence aligns with his preference for a peaceful existence, away from the media’s glare. His marriage to Jennifer, a constant through decades of touring and teching, speaks to a grounded side of the artist, balancing the chaos of rock ‘n’ roll with a stable home life.
Financially, Francis’s journey reflects his years of hard work. Estimates of Elwood Francis’s net worth vary, ranging from $500,000 to $5 million as of 2024, depending on the source. His income stems from his long career as a guitar tech, his current role with ZZ Top, and occasional performances with his own band, The Mighty Skullhead, a Lexington-based outfit that plays a handful of shows yearly. The lower estimates—around $600,000 to $700,000—seem conservative given his prominence, while the $5 million figure from some outlets might account for ZZ Top’s touring revenue and his niche fame. Regardless, his wealth underscores a successful career built on skill, not flash.
As an artist, Francis’s versatility shines. His band, The Mighty Skullhead, formed in the 1980s, channels his punk and brat-rock influences—think Frank Zappa and Steve Jones—into a hauntingly beautiful sound. It’s a creative outlet distinct from his ZZ Top duties, limited by geography but rich in passion. His tech years, meanwhile, taught him the nuances of tone and feel, lessons he credits to mentors like Joe Perry (“It’s all about feel”) and Billy Gibbons (“Slow down and play every third note”). This blend of technical mastery and onstage charisma makes him a rare breed—an artist who thrives both behind and in front of the curtain.
At 63, Elwood Francis’s age belies his energy. He’s a man of contrasts: a reluctant bassist who wields a 17-string monstrosity, a private figure with a public persona, a technician turned performer. Questions like Is Elwood Francis’s hair real? or details about Elwood Francis’s wife add layers of fascination, but they’re footnotes to his true legacy. He’s a bridge between ZZ Top’s past and present, a keeper of its boogie-driven soul. Whether swinging that absurd bass or quietly retreating to Jennifer and their kids, Francis embodies the spirit of a rock journeyman—unassuming yet unforgettable.
In the end, Elwood Francis, man and artist, is a study in evolution. From a Kentucky kid with a guitar to a viral sensation with a 17-string bass, his story weaves together dedication, humor, and a touch of the absurd. His net worth reflects a life well-lived in music, his age a marker of experience, and his personal life a grounding force. As he continues to rock with ZZ Top, Francis proves that sometimes, the most unexpected paths lead to the loudest applause.
