The guitarist Billy Gibbons called “the barbaric pirate”
ZZ Top might be known for their spinning furry guitars and southern drawl, but do not let the gimmicks fool you. Together, Billy Gibbons and the late Dusty Hill formed one of the most swaggering rock acts of their era, and even before they converged in 1969, they had individually earned plaudits for their efforts on their respective instruments.
Gibbons’ guitar skills were so exceptional that his greatest admirer happened to be none other than Jimi Hendrix, widely regarded as one of the most influential guitarists of his time. Their friendship blossomed quickly, and even before ZZ Top, Gibbons’ band The Moving Sidewalks had the opportunity to open four shows for The Jimi Hendrix Experience. Despite their disparate backgrounds, they found a shared connection and camaraderie that transcended their differences.
Hendrix was so in awe of Gibbons that stories abound about him deeming his friend the “best guitarist” of all time, a significant choice considering their heyday was brimming with more prominent players.
Gibbons’ recognition by Hendrix solidifies his esteemed status in the music world. Moreover, contemporary virtuosos like Josh Homme and Jack White have also acknowledged his brilliance, further underscoring his significance. Given his storied career, Gibbons is frequently sought after for his insights into the artists and music that inspire him. Among his favourites is The Rolling Stones, with a special admiration for their lead guitarist, Keith Richards.
There should be no real surprise that Gibbons values the work of Richards and The Rolling Stones, as both create attitude-laden versions of blues and boogie rock by toeing the line between respecting those who influenced them and looking to do something different with the formula. Once, when speaking to Elmore magazine, Gibbons named 1972’s Exile on Main St. by the British band as the one he couldn’t live without.
Elsewhere, in another interview, Gibbons would call Richards and songwriting partner Mick Jagger his “rock gods”, recalling their raucous time together in Hawaii in 1972, when ZZ Top was booked to support them for three shows. His first time meeting the legendary London band saw him get to know Richards and, perhaps more importantly, his guitar-playing approach. He named Richards his favourite ever guitarist and called him “the barbaric pirate”.
He said: “Keith Richards. It’s incredible to think that the Stones, Keith, these guys were sort of heroes of mine when I was starting out, and they’re now friends. They rescued US blues music with their work, bringing the music back home to the USA and giving the original US bluesmen a career and recognition. [Keith] is a dear friend, and he is the character; he is the barbaric pirate.”
Watch Keith Richards playing below.
