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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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