Billy is is best known as the lead guitarist for “ZZ Top”. Gibbons trademark guitars are his Gretsch “Billy-Bo” and his 1959 Gibson Les Paul known as “Pearly Gates”, although it is common to see Billy step on stage with something quite exotic.
He is also known for his custom cars and love for Mexican cuisine. It is widely known that Billy uses a Mexican Peso coin as a guitar pick.
One of my favorite Billy Gibbons quotes is: “This place won’t be here tomorrow, so let’s tear it down tonight!”
I made it to ZZ Top & Aerosmith last night in Phoenix. Forget that the temperature was 113 degrees, the concert was outside, and bottled water was selling for $4.00… this was one HOT concert!
First, Aerosmith was amazing. In fact, Aerosmith was the first band I ever saw perform live. They played at a small club called “The Agora” in Cleveland Ohio back in the 70′s. You could barely fit 100 people in there… and I was one of them. That was then, and this is now. Aerosmith is a major draw today packing the largest venues to the max. Like 20,000 max at the Cricket Pavilion Amphitheater.
Steven Tyler rocked…but for my money…Billy Gibbons is the legend I wanted to see. He did not disappoint. He owned the stage!
I am still amazed that 3 people can generate the sound that ZZ Top creates. The main reason? Reverend Willie G!
One last tribute to one of the all-time greats of lead guitar… Billy G — give us a blues lesson!
Billy Gibbons comes to Phoenix tonight… along with Dusty Hill, Frank Beard, Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Brad Whitford and me…GuitarDaddy. OK… I will be in the crowd, not on stage. Should be a ripping concert from the Aerosmith / ZZ Top tour.
In honor of the evening, here is a killer video of Billy playing slide on “Just Got Paid”.
Billy F. Gibbons was born on December 16, 1949.
