Billy Gibbons, the bearded frontman of ZZ Top, is one of the most respected guitarists in rock history. Born in Texas, he helped create a unique sound that mixed blues, rock, and southern boogie. His band ZZ Top became famous in the 1970s with songs full of gritty guitar riffs and catchy rhythms. Albums like Tres Hombres turned the trio into rock icons.
But Gibbons was never afraid to explore new sounds. When the 1980s came, he embraced modern styles. ZZ Top added synthesizers and drum machines to their music, which led to their huge success with Eliminator. Their songs, along with fun MTV videos, made them stars around the world.
Even with his Texas roots, Gibbons always looked beyond his hometown for inspiration. One of his biggest influences came from across the Atlantic — the British rock scene of the 1960s. He admired legends like Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page, who were part of the band The Yardbirds before Page formed Led Zeppelin.
In an interview with MusicRadar, Gibbons said:
“Jimmy Page is one of the greatest. I’d invite everyone to watch the nightclub scene in the 1966 movie Blow-Up, where The Yardbirds are playing. They had Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page at the same time! Listening to them play ‘The Train Kept A-Rollin’’ is just ferocious. Both of those guys had tone for days.”
That movie scene Gibbons mentioned is famous. It shows Jeff Beck smashing his guitar in frustration while Jimmy Page calmly keeps playing beside him. For Gibbons, that performance captured everything exciting about rock — energy, passion, and attitude. It showed him how British musicians were reshaping the blues that had originally come from America.
Years later, Gibbons paid tribute to Page by performing Led Zeppelin’s classic “Whole Lotta Love” in 2020 with other famous musicians like Slash, Lzzy Hale, and Cheap Trick’s Robin Zander and Rick Nielsen. It was his way of showing love to the British guitar legend who helped inspire him.
Interestingly, the admiration goes both ways. Jimmy Page once praised ZZ Top in an interview with Guitar World in 1986, saying:
“They really are incredible. They have great music, really fine playing, and they have a sense of humour as well. They’re damn fine. Everyone is enjoying it, and they’re enjoying themselves.”
That’s the essence of Billy Gibbons — serious about the craft but always having fun. His music shows that you can stay true to your roots while trying new things. He learned from blues heroes like Muddy Waters and B.B. King, admired innovators like Jimmy Page, and then carved out his own space in rock history.
Billy Gibbons’ story reminds us that great musicians never stop learning. Whether it’s a Texas blues groove or a British guitar riff, inspiration can come from anywhere. And as long as the passion stays alive, the music will keep rolling — just like ZZ Top’s timeless boogie.