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Moving Sidewalks from left: Tom Moore, Don Summers, Billy Gibbons, Dan Mitchell
Billy Gibbons. Photo by Jo Hale/Getty Images
In the holy flaming hell department of music news the Moving Sidewalks -- the Houston-based psychedelic rock band that featured a pre-ZZ Top Billy Gibbons -- will reunite next year for a show. In New York City.
So far the show appears to be a one-off at the B.B. King Blues Club on March 30. Ideally a hometown reunion will find its way to Houston.
Gibbons sang and played guitar in the Sidewalks, which also featured drummer Dan Mitchell, bassist Don Summers and keyboardist Tom Moore on keyboards. The group came together in 1966 but split three years later when Moore and Summers were drafted. Its recordings fell out of print for years, but were recently reissued this year as "The Complete Moving Sidewalks."
"It's gonna be a blast," says Mitchell. "It's really a cool thing that came together because of the album release. The timing just worked out."
Mitchell, Summers and Moore have been rehearsing for weeks and Gibbons will join them in the next few weeks. According to Mitchell, Gibbons hopes the reunion won't be a one-off, but no other shows have yet been set.
"We're looking forward to getting back into it," he says. "We really felt like we were at a peak, getting ready to do something bigger. And then we lost two guys. But there's a lot of material on the album that has never been performed live. It's been interesting to go back in and try to play it."
Saw these guys at the opening of the Telephone Rd drive in theater back in the day.
that song has a Doors feel.
Fact is the doors sounded a bit like the Sidewalk.
About time!!! I loved Moving Sidewalk!
Way too cool.....
Moving Sidewalks played at Our Lady of Fatima school in Texas City on a Saturday night in the 1960s. It cost about 50 cents to get in. All the seventh and eighth graders trying to look "cool" -- a lifetime ago but so much fun!
Mary, I was there! Remember the "cool" outfit I wore, too. I ran into Billy Gibbons at the Nutcracker Market years ago and reminded him about Fatima. He was buying steaks for Christmas presents. I think they played Fatima more than once.
I was only 14 years old when 99th Floor received massive airplay on both KILT and KNUZ AM. I was too youg to see the band perform live, however, I remember visiting with Dan Mitchell when he owned his cool clothing store in Westbury Square named Mr. Fantasy. I just might make it to Manhattan to to see the band this time around in March.
'Gimme all your guitars,
all your ancient bandmates, too'
=) (apologies to ZZ Top)
They played at our Sr Prom (I'm told) Spring Branch HS 1968. Saw today's ZZ Top in Tyler in Oct. Goooood.
They were identified in a story in the Chron not long ago as the Sliding Sidewalks.
The Sidewalk did not sound like the Doors, the Doors sounded like the Sidwalk
I agree the Doors sound like Sidewalk. Either way it is a good sound!
They opened for Fever Tree at the Telephone Road Drive-In Theater.
I agree The Doors sound like Sidewalk. Either way it is a good sound!
First saw the Moving Sidewalks at the National Guard Armory in Victoria, Texas in 1966 with Joe Carruth.
Bellaire Gym, mid 60's. Sidewalk, Elevators, please...
Played at our Senior Prom (Spring Branch)... 1969.. last 'official' gig.
Love Street...Elevators, Bubble Puppy, Moving Sidewals...OMG...too long ago. I have the Bubble Puppy c/d.
Dick Cavet asked Jimi Hendrix if there were any American bands he was impressed with that opened for him on his tour.... He said yeah a band in Texas called the "Electric Sidewalks".
I hope they play Austin Psych Fest!
Heard Billy and the Moving Sidewalks play and practice many times for our high school dances, Robert E. Lee, Houston, 1968. Would love to see them play together again!
Saw the Sidewalks open for the Steppenwolf at Houston Music Theater.
I heard it on the X
Please help Moving Sidewalks , Gibbons' sideman were playing in another group before that, its wasn't a pro-band but never mentioned, just like The Seeds where you get the full biography of Sky Saxon, the rest is just a mystery pie. Anybody out there PLEASE EMAIL ME - shiloh@telkomsa.net much appreciated ..love the group
Help.....Anybody know what the name of the groups were that Gibbon's sidemen played with before the Moving Sidewalks?? Please email me shiloh@telkomsa.net