The 1990s

Recycler was released in 1990, and proved to be the band's last album under their contract with Warner Records. Recycler was also the last of the albums often considered a distinct trilogy in the ZZ Top catalogue. It marked a move back towards a more guitar-driven blues sound which continued in later albums, losing some of the synthesizer sounds and pop bounce of the previous two albums. This move did not entirely suit the fanbase that Eliminator and Afterburner had built up, and while Recycler did achieve platinum status, it never matched the multi-platinum sales of Eliminator and Afterburner.

ZZ Top also contributed to the soundtrack, and appeared as the band in the dance scene in the 1990 movie Back to the Future III.

In 1992, ZZ Top signed a five-disc deal with RCA Records. Sales were good, but not up to earlier standards. Many fans (or, as they refer to themselves, fanzz) feel that the recordings of this era are as artistically strong as the earlier London and Warner Bros. recordings but have expressed disappointment with RCA's promotion of these releases.[citation needed]

In 1993, ZZ Top inducted Cream into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

In 1997 ZZ Top recorded a song for amateur wrestler Nicholas Wild Thing Bauer, by request of WWE Hall of Famer Stone Cold Steve Austin.