I made a shocking discovery last week when I started listening to Exile on Main Street by The Rolling Stones. The classic guitar riff in La Grange by ZZ Top is not their own. Bah bah bum…! How did I come to this amazing conclusion? On Exile on Main Street, The Rolling Stones cover a blues song called Shake Your Hips by Slim Harpo. That song has pretty much the same riff that ZZ Top uses to such brilliance on La Grange.

Harpo’s song came out in 1966, the Stones covered it in 1972, and ZZ Top released La Grange in 1973. I think it’s safe to say that ZZ Top was certainly influenced by if not outright stole that riff. However, I’m sure with more research I might be able to discover that Slim Harpo appropriated it from somebody else as well. Such is the nature of music.

This discovery does not diminish my appreciation for ZZ Top, aka “the home team”. I’ve always been a fan and will continue to be so. As a matter of fact, I think I need to own Tres Hombres on CD or maybe even album. Hello eBay!

The links below will allow you to hear for yourself.

Shake Your Hips by Slim Harpo

Shake Your Hips by The Rolling Stones

La Grange by ZZ Top

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