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Move over, country music, because classic rock is hitting the Fruit Yard Amphitheater with not just one but two major bands joining the roster.
ZZ Top will play Aug. 9 at the Modesto venue, with Cheap Trick opening. Tickets go on sale to the public 10 a.m. Friday, April 24.
The show marks another date on ZZ Top’s “The Big One!” tour. It’s one of five shows Cheap Trick is set to open for the group, according to the latter band’s Instragram post.
ZZ Top boasts original members Billy Gibbons (vocals/guitar) and Frank Beard (drums). Bassist Dusty Hill died in 2021 and was replaced by Elwood Francis.
The band formed in 1969, released its first album in 1971 and hit it big into the 1980s. It has several chart-toppers, including “Sharp Dressed Man,” “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” “Cheap Sunglasses,” “La Grange” and “Legs.”
Cheap Trick, known for a string of hits from the 1970s to the 1980s and still recording new music today, features founding members Robin Zander (vocals, rhythm guitar), Rick Nielsen (lead guitar) and Tom Petersson (bass guitar). On drums is Daxx Nielsen – Rick Nielsen’s son – who replaced Bun E. Carlos in 2010.
The group’s hits include “Dream Police,” “Surrender,” “I Want You To Want Me,” “California Man” and “The Flame.”
The rockers join a list of artists so far on the 2026 Fruit Yard lineup: Warren Zeiders (tomorrow, April 22), Scotty McCreary (May 8), Mitchell Tenpenny (May 23), Cole Swindell (June 11), Bradley Gilbert (Aug. 13) and Ty Myers (Aug. 21).
Officially called The Fruit Yard Chicken Ranch Casino Resort Amphitheater, it’s at 7948 Yosemite Blvd. There is lawn and reserved seating to accommodate about 3,500 people.
For more, see www.thefruityardevents.com.
