Conversation so far:
the name of the band ZZ Top was who's idea
The name ZZ Top was Gibbons' idea. The band had a little apartment covered with concert posters and he noticed that many performers' names used initials.
what song did ZZ Top release
ZZ Top released their first single, Salt Lick, in 1969
what member of the band ZZ Top died
ZZ Top bassist/organist Lanier Greig died

Question: when was the synthesizer period?
Self-contained rewrite: when was the synthesizer period of ZZ Top?