David Perkins: Guitarist with the Eliminator Band

A man with a long gray beard, wearing sunglasses, a black cowboy hat, and a black embroidered jacket, playing an electric guitar outdoors under a metal structure with trees and a clear blue sky in the background.

I’m David Perkins, the guitarist for Eliminator, the world’s most authentic ZZ Top tribute experience. My musical journey began in England, where I was deeply inspired by legendary Stratocaster slingers like Jimi Hendrix, John Frusciante and Mike McCready. Their groundbreaking styles ignited a passion in me to pick up the guitar and I grabbed myself a beautiful second-hand 80’s Japanese Strat, that I still have to this day. As I honed my skills, my admiration grew for the unsung heroes behind some of the biggest hits—session guitarists such as Steve Lukather, Paul Jackson Jr. and Dann Huff, whose expert craftsmanship helped shape iconic records for artists like Michael Jackson.

In addition to these masters of groove and precision, I developed an obsession with virtuosos known for their extraordinary technique and feel—players like Eric Johnson, Shawn Lane, and Guthrie Govan. Guthrie’s mentorship was especially formative, as I had the privilege of studying with him for a time, which profoundly influenced my approach to guitar playing, combining technical finesse with rich musicality.

My formal education at the British and Irish Modern Music Institute (BIMM) gave me the foundation to turn passion into professionalism. Shortly afterward, I took a bold step and moved to the U.S., where joining Eliminator became a pivotal moment in my career. What started as local gigs quickly escalated to coast-to-coast tours, and one unbelievable highlight was performing at the United Center in Chicago during a Blackhawks game, playing in front of over 20,000 enthusiastic fans and reaching 1.5 million people watching live on TV.

Being part of Eliminator allows me to fuse a rich tapestry of guitar influences into our electrifying tribute to ZZ Top, a band whose legacy defines classic rock and blues-rock excellence. Every show is a chance to bring those timeless songs to life with authenticity and energy. This journey has been extraordinary, and I’m genuinely excited to keep sharing the spirit and sound of ZZ Top with fans around the globe through our powerful performances.