ZZ Top

Latest about ZZ Top

A montage image of Billy Gibbons in a blue suit playing a custom Gibson guitar and B.B. King onstage in 1968 with his Gibson ES-335, Lucille

Billy Gibbons shares the story of the “treasured moment” he sat in on a B.B. King session – as a child

By Matt Parker published

Long before he got the chance to pick it up for himself, the ZZ Top man found himself in a truly formative session with an icon of electric guitar

Guitarists
Jimi Hendrix and Billy Gibbons

Billy Gibbons once covered Jimi Hendrix hits while supporting Hendrix on tour

By Phil Weller published

Few players would have had the nerves to cover Hendrix while supporting him on tour, but Gibbons is made of sterner stuff – and the bold move sparked a lasting friendship

Guitarists
Elwood Francis with his 15-string High Selecta bass – and the two string Waterstone Guitars Sam Hill bass

ZZ Top’s Elwood Francis was saddled with his 17-string bass after a joke appearance went viral – now he’s experimenting with a 2-string build

By Matt Parker published

The former guitar tech turned ’Top man is continuing to tinker with his live setup, with amusing results

Bassists
Elwood Francis and Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top

ZZ Top’s Elwood Francis on the latest weird bass he takes on stage

By Andrew Daly published

The guitar tech-turned-band member already struggled with a 17-string monstrosity, before adding a 15-string to his arsenal – and says he can’t forget his days cleaning the band’s fuzzy guitars

Bassists
Billy Gibbons gives it the thumbs up onstage – he has his black custom Gretsch, wears shades and a wide-brimmed hat.

Add some Texas blues sizzle to your lead playing with this lesson in Billy Gibbons' sweet soloing style

By Andy G Jones published

This lesson is the ZZ Top content you need to stay cool while bringing the heat. It will develop your sense of pacing and blues phrasing, and give you a chance to let some pinch harmonics fly off the fingerboard

Artist Lessons
Seymour Duncan Billy Gibbons Red Devil Telecaster and Seymour Duncan Billy Gibbons Hades Gates

Seymour Duncan supercharges two classic Billy Gibbons guitar tones with new signature Tele and Les Paul pickups

By Matt Owen published

The Pearly Gates have been beefed-up as the Hades Gates, and the ZZ Top legend's Red Devil humbucker has been turned into a hot output Telecaster pickup

Guitar Pickups
Slash and Billy Gibbons in their trademark headwear, playing the CMT Music Awards 2023

Billy Gibbons talks bringing out his iconic Pearly Gates Les Paul for Slash’s all-star blues album

By Damian Fanelli published

Gibbons checks in to tell us how he and reimagined Willie Dixon's Hoochie Coochie Man for a new era, and to assure us why the blues is in safe hands with today's players

Guitarists
Elwood Francis

ZZ Top’s Elwood Francis on teching for Joe Perry, lying to Steve Vai – and the curse of his viral 17-string bass

By Andrew Daly published

The gear-trashing DIY enthusiast once had to choose between Vai and Joe Perry, before being fired and rehired by Guns N’ Roses – in a matter of days

Bassists
Musicians Elwood Francis, Frank Beard and Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top performs onstage during Day 1 of the 2023 Stagecoach Festival on April 28, 2023 in Indio, California.

Elwood Francis on the origins of his 17-string bass – and why he regrets it becoming a ZZ Top staple

By Michael Astley-Brown published

Elwood Francis reveals the origins of his preposterous 17-string bass – and why he’s disappointed it went viral

Bassists
Elwood Francis and Billy Gibbons of the American band ZZ Top perform live on stage during a concert at the Zitadelle Spandau on July 6, 2024 in Berlin, Germany

Elwood Francis replaced Dusty Hill in ZZ Top – but he still feels uncomfortable about it

By Matt Owen published

Francis originally served as ZZ Top's longtime guitar tech, but took on a completely new role at the behest of Hill's wishes after the bassist passed away

Bassists
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