What began as a lighthearted prank has turned into one of Elwood Francis’ most talked-about stage moments—and it’s a tradition the ZZ Top bassist wishes he could leave behind.

The 64-year-old musician unintentionally became an internet sensation after introducing an outrageous 17-string bass guitar during live performances of “Got Me Under Pressure.” The oversized, banana-colored instrument wasn’t part of some elaborate plan—it was simply an impulse purchase made during a late-night online shopping session on what Francis described as “one of those Chinese websites.”

His idea was straightforward: bring the bizarre instrument onstage for a single performance and get a laugh from the crowd. Instead, the stunt exploded online, and fans quickly turned it into one of the band’s most memorable live moments.

Despite the instrument’s popularity, Francis has admitted that performing with it is anything but enjoyable.

The bassist revealed that he “hates to play” the massive guitar because its size makes it difficult to see his hands, leaving him struggling to find the correct frets. He described the very first performance as a “baptism by fire,” explaining that he used the instrument without a soundcheck and was “seriously struggling” throughout the song.

Before unveiling the unusual bass, Francis had floated the idea to Billy Gibbons, telling the legendary frontman that it would be “hilarious.” While the challenge may frustrate him, audiences continue to love the spectacle, and the band’s powerful performance of “Got Me Under Pressure” remains a crowd favorite.

One fan-recorded video uploaded by Ace11115 recently went viral, collecting more than two million views. Viewers embraced both the band’s musicianship and Francis’ outrageous instrument, leaving comments such as, “When you can’t decide if you want a new bass guitar or new snowboard,” while another joked, “ZZ Top had a winning formula. Act like it’s all just silly fun, but play better than most other serious musical acts in the world.”

The song also carries emotional significance for longtime fans of the band.

Original bassist Dusty Hill passed away at the age of 72 in 2021, but not before leaving behind memorable live performances of “Got Me Under Pressure” with ZZ Top. Recorded in the band’s home state of Texas, those performances showcased Hill sharing co-lead vocals with Billy Gibbons, highlighting the chemistry that helped define the group’s signature sound.

Francis later explained that the idea for the 17-string bass began during a conversation with Gibbons.

Speaking with Guitar World, he recalled, “I found this [bass guitar], took a screenshot, and sent it to Billy, saying, ‘We should order one of these, and I’ll play it. It’ll be hilarious.’”

After surviving the difficult debut performance, Francis assumed the novelty had run its course.

“I thought it was over,” he admitted.

Instead, he woke up to countless messages and links as videos of the performance spread across social media. The overwhelming reaction ensured the oversized bass became a permanent part of the show.

“Now I’ve got to play it [every night],” Francis said, acknowledging that fans now expect to see the unusual instrument whenever the band performs.

Ironically, the giant bass has even overshadowed another of his signature stage props.

“At this point, more people ask me about the 17-string bass than they do the fuzzy guitar,” Francis said, referring to his famous fluffy bass that matches Billy Gibbons’ equally iconic furry guitar. He added with a laugh, “Now, the 17-string bass is the thing they want to hold!”

Source: Various Sources.