Billy Gibbons

William Frederick Gibbons
born December 16, 1949

An American rock musician who is the guitarist and primary vocalist of ZZ Top.

He began his career in the Moving Sidewalks in 1968 and opened four dates for the Jimi Hendrix Experience.

Gibbons formed ZZ Top in late 1969 and released ZZ Top's First Album in early 1971.

Rolling Stone Magazine named him the 32nd greatest guitarist of all time

Gibbons was born to Frederick Royal ("Freddie") and Lorraine (née Duffy) Gibbons in the Tanglewood neighborhood of Houston, Texas. His father was an entertainer, orchestra conductor, and concert pianist who worked alongside his second cousin, art director Cedric Gibbons, for Samuel Goldwyn at MGM Studios.

When Gibbons was five years old, his mother took him and his sister to see Elvis Presley. At age seven, Gibbons's father took him to a BB King recording session. A percussionist at first, Gibbons was sent by his father to New York City to study with Tito Puente. In 1962, Gibbons received his first electric guitar following his 13th birthday.

Gibbons formed ZZ Top in late 1969, and quickly settled on bassist/vocalist Dusty Hill and drummer Frank "Rube" Beard, both members of the band American Blues. After honing their trademark blues-rock style, they released ZZ Top's First Album in 1971. Gibbons was the youngest member of the band.

Gibbons is a notable Sept of Clan Buchanan. Learn more about the Names of Buchanan