Billy Gibbons facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Billy Gibbons
Gibbons performing in 2025
Background information
Birth name	William Frederick Gibbons
Also known as	Billy F. Gibbons Reverend
Born	(1949-12-16) December 16, 1949 (age 75) Houston, Texas, U.S.
Genres	Hard rock boogie rock blues rock blues
Occupations	Musician singer songwriter record producer
Instruments	Guitar vocals
Years active	1967–present
Labels	London Warner Bros. RCA American

William Frederick Gibbons (born December 16, 1949) is an American rock musician. He is famous for being the guitarist and lead singer of the rock band ZZ Top. Gibbons is known for his powerful guitar playing, his deep voice, and his very long beard.

Gibbons started his music career in a band called Moving Sidewalks. They even opened for the legendary Jimi Hendrix Experience. In late 1969, he formed ZZ Top, which became a world-famous band. Besides his work with ZZ Top, Gibbons has also released his own solo albums.

He has also appeared on TV shows, like playing the rock star father of Angela Montenegro on the show Bones. In 2001, Rolling Stone magazine named him one of the greatest guitarists of all time.

Early Life and First Guitar

Billy Gibbons was born in Houston, Texas. His father was also in the entertainment business as a musician and conductor. Music was a big part of his life from a young age. When he was five, his mom took him to see Elvis Presley perform. At age seven, his dad took him to a B. B. King recording session.

He first learned to play percussion instruments. But everything changed on his 13th birthday in 1962. He received his first electric guitar, a Gibson Melody Maker, and a Fender Champ amplifier. He was inspired by guitar players like Jimmy Reed and started his journey to becoming a guitar legend.

Before becoming famous, Gibbons played in a few bands as a teenager. He then formed a band called the Moving Sidewalks, inspired by his friend Roky Erickson of the 13th Floor Elevators.

Music Career

The Moving Sidewalks

Gibbons' first major band was a psychedelic rock group called the Moving Sidewalks. They recorded an album called Flash and several singles. A big moment for the band was opening for the Jimi Hendrix Experience on their first American tour.

Gibbons wrote a popular song for the band called "99th Floor." He has said that Jimi Hendrix himself taught him how to play parts of the song "Foxy Lady" when Gibbons was about 17.

The Legendary ZZ Top

In late 1969, Gibbons formed ZZ Top. He was joined by bassist Dusty Hill and drummer Frank Beard. The three of them would remain the band's lineup for over 50 years.

They developed their unique blues-rock sound and released their first album, ZZ Top's First Album, in 1971. The band became famous for hit songs like "La Grange," "Sharp Dressed Man," and "Gimme All Your Lovin'." They were also known for their fun music videos and their iconic look with long beards and sunglasses.

Gibbons at The Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, in 2013.

Solo Albums

Even while being a part of ZZ Top, Gibbons has worked on his own music. He released his first solo album, Perfectamundo, in 2015.

His second solo album, The Big Bad Blues, came out in 2018. It was very successful and won the 'Blues Rock Album of the Year' award at the Blues Music Awards in 2019. In 2021, he released his third album, Hardware.

Working with Other Musicians

Gibbons is a respected guitarist who is often asked to play with other artists. He has collaborated with many famous musicians across different genres.

• He played guitar on a song with the Queens of the Stone Age.
• He appeared on Nickelback's album All the Right Reasons.
• He performed with B. B. King on his B.B. King & Friends album.
• He joined Jeff Beck on stage at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary concert to play a Jimi Hendrix song.
• He wrote and performed a song called "The Holy Grail" with John Fogerty in 2018.

Other Projects

Acting on Television

Gibbons has a recurring role on the TV show Bones. He plays a fictional version of himself who is the father of the character Angela Montenegro. On the show, he is a funny and protective dad who sometimes gets her husband, Jack Hodgins, into trouble.

He also appeared as a cartoon version of himself, along with his ZZ Top bandmates, on the animated show King of the Hill.

Cars and Guitars

Gibbons is famous for his love of cool guitars and custom cars. He co-wrote a book about his collection called Billy F Gibbons: Rock + Roll Gearhead.

One of his most famous cars is a 1933 Ford Coupe known as the "Eliminator." This car was featured in several ZZ Top music videos and on the cover of their album Eliminator. He also owns a 1948 Cadillac called "CadZZilla".

His Famous Guitars

Gibbons performing in San Antonio, Texas in 2015.

Gibbons is known for playing Gibson guitars. His most famous guitar is a 1959 Gibson Les Paul named "Pearly Gates." He bought it in 1968 for $250 after selling an old car. This guitar has been used on almost every ZZ Top album and is a huge part of their sound.

He also plays other guitars, including Fenders. For the music video for the song "Legs," he and Dusty Hill used matching guitars covered in sheepskin fur that could spin around.

Gibbons uses very light guitar strings. He once used heavy strings, but after meeting B. B. King, he switched. King played Gibbons' guitar and asked him, "Why you working so hard?" King told him he could get a great blues sound with lighter strings, and Gibbons has used them ever since.

Personal Life

On December 14, 2005, Gibbons married his longtime girlfriend, Gilligan Stillwater.

For many years, Gibbons was known for wearing a Stetson hat. He later switched to wearing a braided cap. He got the cap after meeting a chief of the Bamileke people from Cameroon and trading his hat for it.

Discography

Studio Albums

See also

In Spanish: Billy Gibbons para niños