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Along with the late Stevie Ray Vaughan,
ZZ Top guitarist Billy Gibbons is unquestionably one of the finest
blues-rock guitarists to ever emerge from Texas. Born on either
March, 4 or December 16, 1950 (both dates have been given in the
past), and raised in Houston, Texas, Gibbons grew up in a home
that favored both classical and country sounds, but upon discovering
Elvis Presley via an appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, Gibbons
became transfixed by rock n' roll. It wasn't long before he discovered
other early rock n' rollers (Little Richard) as well as bluesmen
(Jimmy Reed) via a local radio station. Soonafter receiving a
Gibson Melody Maker electric guitar and a Fender Champ amp for
Christmas in 1963, Gibbons began emulating his heroes - forming
his first band when he was 14 (the Saints).
The guitarist later joined a group around the mid-'60s called
the Coachmen, who specialized in more psychedelic-based sounds,
inspired by the likes of Jefferson Airplane, Jimi Hendrix, and
the local Texas outfit, Thirteenth Floor Elevators (led by a young
Roky Erickson). Gibbons' band eventually changed their name to
the Moving Sidewalks, issuing a lone album in 1968, Flash, although
an early single, "99th Floor," would later receive attention when
included years later on the Pebbles: Vol. 2 compilation. While
the Moving Sidewalks never made a splash outside of Texas, Gibbons
must have been pleased when Jimi Hendrix (with whom the Sidewalks
toured with around this time) began endorsing the guitarist as
one of his favorite new players to the media.
When the Moving Sidewalks folded in 1969, Gibbons sought to form
a more straight ahead, boogie/blues rock-based band, and after
hooking up with a pair of other fellow Texans, bassist Dusty Hill
and drummer Frank Beard, ZZ Top was born. The power trio slowly
but steadily built up a solid following, largely due to Gibbons'
tasty guitar playing and muscular riffs (especially evidenced
on such renowned tracks as "La Grange" and "Tush"). Over the course
of five classic albums over a six year span (1970's self-titled
debut, 1972's Rio Grande Mud, 1973's Tres Hombres, 1975's Fandango,
and 1976's Tejas), ZZ Top became one of the country's top rock
bands, before taking a three year break.
When they returned, the musical climate had changed considerably,
and ZZ Top opted to change with the times - as a more modern,
electronic sound was merged with their blues rock roots on such
albums as 1979's Deguello and 1981's El Loco. But with the release
of 1983's Eliminator, the new approach came together for the group,
while both Gibbons and Hill happened to come across a gimmick
that will be forever associated with the group - long and stringy
beards that grew down to their chests. It didn't hurt that the
group was responsible for some of MTV's most popular video clips
of all time (which always seemed to primarily focus on good looking
girls and a snazzy 1933 Ford three door coupe, rather than the
bandmembers) - "Give Me All Your Loving," "Sharp Dressed Man,"
and "Legs." Gibbons and Hill also became known for their assortment
of matching and outlandish guitars, which were also always on
display in their videos.
But the trio's newly acquired commercial direction caused some
consternation amongst long-time fans, and by the mid-'90s, new
ZZ Top's albums failed to sell as well as their earlier titles
had, although a large and loyal following still flocked to their
shows. A long-time vintage guitar collector, Gibbons owns some
of the world's most cherished and rare guitars, including a particular
instrument that he's become synonymous with, a 1959 Sunburst Les
Paul Standard (which he dubbed 'Pearly Gates'). In addition to
music, Gibbons supposedly owns several automotive-related patents
in his name, is an avid painter, and collects rare African art
and artifacts, amassing so many that he was forced to store them
in a warehouse in Houston. Besides recording with ZZ Top, Gibbons
has been known to go by the alias Justis Walkert - appearing on
recordings by Jeff Healey (Feel This) and the Rainer & Das Combo
(the Texas Tapes). But it's obviously Gibbons' exceptional playing
with ZZ Top that he's best known most for, as the guitarist has
influenced a wide variety of players over the years, including
the Meat Puppets' Curt Kirkwood and Pantera's Dimebag Darrell,
to name but a few.
This bio courtesy www.allmusic.com
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