In 1976, after almost seven years of touring and a string of successful albums, ZZ Top went on hiatus for three years while Beard dealt with drug addiction.[17] Gibbons traveled to Europe, Beard went to Jamaica, and Hill went to Mexico.[17] Hill also spent the period working at Dallas Airport, saying he wanted to "feel normal" and "ground himself" after years spent performing.[18] In 1979, when the group returned with the album Degüello, Gibbons and Hill wore chest-length beards and sunglasses.