ZZ Top rocks the road for remainder of year

Texas rock trio ZZ Top is set to launch an extensive North American tour that will keep the group on the road for most of what's left of 2005.

The band's 24-week outing kicks off on the West Coast next week, and dates are stacked up into early October; details are shown below.

Additional October and November dates will be announced, according to the group's official website.

Fans can expect to hear the band perform material from its latest album, 2003's "Mescalero," as well as cuts from its lengthy back-catalog, which is chronicled on last year's two-disc hits collection, "Rancho Texicano."

Formed in Houston in 1970, ZZ Top gained widespread commercial appeal with its 1983 album "Eliminator" and its 1985 set "Afterburner," which collectively spawned a slew of hits such as "Legs," "Sharp Dressed Man," "Sleeping Bag," "Velcro Fly" and more.

ZZ Top--Billy Gibbons (vocals/guitar), Dusty Hill (bass) and Frank Beard (drums)--joined the ranks of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in early 2004.