PROLIFIC author Neil Daniels music knowledge is rock solid.

The 32 year-old who lives in St Helens and works at Rainhill High School has written over a dozen books on music and his latest work highlights this year’s 45th anniversary of veteran Texas trio ZZ Top.

Neil tracks the history of the bearded wonders from their pre-ZZ Top outfits through to the present day and gives fans an in-depth insight at the blues, country and rock musicians whose work they admire.

He also uncovers some unusual facts about the band. He tells how Billy Gibbons is a minister in the Universal Life Church Ministries and performed a marriage ceremony at a Houston branch of IKEA in 2008.

Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers also contains some rare photos and follows Neil’s previous publications about Judas Priest, Robert Plant, Linkin Park, Bon Jovi and Journey and will be followed by new books on Iron Maiden and Bon Jovi.

Neil said: “My dual collection, Rock 'N' Roll Mercenaries – Interviews With Rock Stars, consists of over sixty interviews with many well-known rock stars and rock writers.

“My books have been translated into Brazilian, Bulgarian, Czech, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Polish and Swedish with more foreign titles in the works.”

He has also published books on Metallica, Iron Maiden, You Me At Six and AC/DC and his reviews, articles and interviews on music and pop culture have appeared in leading publications and written sleeve notes for recording companies.

Now Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers reveals all about the sharply dressed men.