Back in 1962 the day of Christmas, that was the moment when the spotlight member of ZZ Top started his music career. He was only 13 years old kid when he landed the first guitar on his lap. “It was a Gibson Melody Maker, single pickup. I took off to the bedroom and figured out the intro to ‘What’d I Say,’ by Ray Charles. Then I stumbled into a Jimmy Reed thing.”
He adds more, “He was the good-luck charm. I’d play Jimmy Reed going to sleep at night — and in the morning.” That Christmas day was unforgettable for Billy who is now one of the prominent iconic members of the world of music. But even the icons have some favorite bands and Gibbons was a huge fan of the Rolling Stones.
Gibbson is a huge fan of Rolling Stone and when he was asked to name some favorite songs of Rolling Stones, this was what he had to say.
“I’ll throw a left-field choice in here. It’s the [‘Child of the Moon’] the B-side of ‘Jumpin’ Jack Flash’. Quite a piece of brilliant psychedelia in its own right. It’s almost proto-grunge.”
He continues: “If you allow me a runner-up – I know, just one choice, but it’s my prerogative as a dyed-in-the-wool Stones fan to suggest another great one – that would be ‘I’m Alright, from Got Live If You Want It! It’s just so raw and real you can almost touch it. And of course, it’s a Bo Diddley composition; using the term loosely, since it’s mostly a wham-jam/rave-up, so that makes it all the more cherished.”
He indeed is a die-hard fan of the Rolling Stones. He has expressed his emotions and love for the blue ions, and when he was asked his favorite guitarist, 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.”
He states that Keith was one of his favorite guitarists, he was more of a hero to him back in the days, and now they’re friends. What an incredible story.
Gobbins adds more, “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.” They indeed rescued the music with their talented works and Gobbins feels indebted to them for that.
Gibbons continues praising them: “Both Mick and Keith, two peas in a pod. They still remain robust and stalwart in the eyes of ZZ Top land. Two characters in their own right. But I think it’s a comfortable way to give them a proper pairing.”
