Music Interview: Billy Gibbons, of ZZ Top, chats it up

ZZ Top’s signature sound has been a constant for Rock & Roll fans since 1969.

The band, formed in Houston, Texas, was inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame in 2004 by Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards.

In 2021, the band suffered a great loss with the passing of Dusty Hill, but Billy Gibbons, Frank Beard and Elwood Francis continue to tour, selling out venue after venue.

ZZ Top will make a stop at The Factory on November 14 along with The Band Feel as openers. Look for my interview with Feel next week.

Gibbons was gracious enough to answer a few questions ahead of the band’s show here in St. Louis. Check them out below:

1. Having made St. Louis a frequent tour stop over the years; do you have any fond memories of the city?

Billy Gibbons: ZZ certainly digs coming ’round to “Saint Louie” as Chuck Berry stated.  Our good pal, Ted Kornblum, head man bringing the Magnatone Amplifier back to the forefront is always close at hand with stacks of his Magnatones for the ZZ Top roadshow making way to “The Factory” coming up quick. And… let’s not forget Ted Drewes, with his “heaviest” frozen custard known to man.  Call it, “We’re there!!!”

And… ZZ Top’s friends, fans, and followers remain enthusiastically appreciative of rockin’ LOUD performances, for sure. 

2. St. Louis is of course home to another legendary musician Chuck Berry. Did you ever get a chance to work or perform with him? As a musician, how influential do you consider him to be in rock & roll?

BG: Yes, we’ve crossed paths with the infamous “C E Berry” on numerous occasions along with his cohorts, Little Richard and Bo Diddley, how influential? We might put it this way, without Chuck & Co. we’d be playing accordions and glockenspiels instead of Fender and Gibson electrics.

3. I recently read an interview in which Jimi Hendrix called you the “greatest guitarist of all time.” What does it mean to know that it came from someone who was so influential himself, not just as a guitarist, but music in general?

BG: The plain fact is Jimi stands as one of the greatest players and innovating guitarists of all time and what continues is a serious reflection of all that remains, ” Jimi”.   He was a friend, a mentor and stalwart inspiration.  We miss him, yet, thankful that he was here for a while and changed everything. 

4.After the passing of Dusty Hill, can you describe what it was like stepping out back on stage to perform and not seeing your longtime friend and colleague there with you? That had to be a tough moment. 

BG: Elwood made it easy.  We stridently felt the importance to keep going with Elwood’s perfection joining the line up.

5.There’s an old saying that if you love what you do, you never work a day in your life. Does that hold true for you?

BG: Yes, absolutely!  When we’re out on the touring trail or reaping the rewards of the studio those experience provide the avenue to do it all over again. 

6. After 50-plus years of making music and touring, when you finally decide to call it a day. What do you want the band to be remembered for?

BG: How’s “never.” Does that work for you?  

The band would most likely remain known for getting in it and turning it up to keep the blues rock flame alive.  It’s what we do, and we continue to do it. It’s simply a matter of sharing the energy from a giant collective point of view. 

Tickets are going fast, but there are still a few available for ZZ Top at The Factory at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 14 by visiting ZZ Top Tickets Nov 14, 2024 SAINT LOUIS, MO | Ticketmaster.