ZZ Top frontman Billy Gibbons has confirmed that he and late bassist Dusty Hill were once offered $1 million each to shave their long beards off in the 1980s for a Gillette commercial.
While the singer-guitarist has discussed the razor company’s offer in the past, he reaffirmed it during an appearance on the latest episode of comedian Jay Mohr’s podcast, Mohr Stories (as transcribed by Blabbermouth).
“It’s true,” Gibbons told Mohr. “[Gillette] deny it. It was a million dollars per man. But we called Mr. Merlis [music industry veteran Bob Merlis]. I said, ‘Bob, we got this offer.’ ‘What?’ I said, ‘We’ve been offered a million dollars each to shave on TV.'”
Gibbons continued, “‘Well,’ he said, ‘The money’s good.’ He said, ‘You might as well consider doing it, but I’m not so sure you guys — any of you guys — know what’s under there.’ So we passed. We passed, and our fans loved it. Word got out.”
Fans can catch Gibbons in all his bearded glory when ZZ Top embark on their extensive 2026 tour, which includes headlining shows and co-headlining gigs with country star Dwight Yoakam (pick up tickets here). Current bassist Elwood Francis, who took the place of Hill following the latter’s passing in 2021, has grown an impressive beard of his own.
Check out Billy Gibbons’ appearance on Jay Mohr’s podcast below.
