Rockers ZZ TOP are to follow JOHNNY CASH and NEIL DIAMOND as they hope for a career revival at the hands of super-producer RICK RUBIN.

The Smart Dressed Man trio has signed a new deal with Rubin's American Recordings imprint.

The group will record a new album with Rubin, hoping the Def Jam co-founder can get the trio back to the top of the charts.

According to figures, ZZ Top's last album, 2003's Mescalero, sold just 103,000 copies in their native America.

Rubin helped revive the careers of fellow American icons Cash and Diamond - the Sweet Caroline singer's recent release, Home Before Dark, was his first-ever U.S. number one.