ZZ TOP Once Turned Down $1 Million Each To Shave Their Beards On TV

ZZ Top guitarist and frontman Billy Gibbons has confirmed a long-rumored piece of rock folklore: the band really was offered a massive payday to shave off their iconic beards — they and turned it down.

During a recent appearance on the Mohr Stories podcast, hosted by comedian and actor Jay Mohr, Gibbons revealed that the shaving company Gillette once approached him and then-ZZ Top bassist Dusty Hill with a staggering offer. "It's true," Gibbons said. "They deny it. It was a million dollars per man."

According to Gibbons, the offer came with the expectation that the two bearded bandmates would shave on camera for a Gillette commercial — something that would have fundamentally altered ZZ Top's instantly recognizable image.

Before making a decision, Gibbons and Hill consulted music industry veteran Bob Merlis. "We called Mr. Merlis," Gibbons recalled. "I said, 'Bob, we got this offer.' 'What?' I said, 'We've been offered a million dollars each to shave on TV.'"

Merlis acknowledged the financial upside but also raised a crucial — and pretty valid, funny — point. "He said, 'Well, the money's good,'" Gibbons continued. "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.'"

Ultimately, Gibbons and Hill decided to pass on the offer. "So we passed," Gibbons said. "We passed, and our fans loved it. Word got out."

And yeah, $1 million dollars was a lot of money in 1984 when the offer was made. But can you imagine even for a second seeing ZZ Top without their beards? Too weird.