A happy birthday goes out to ZZ Top guitarist Billy F. Gibbons, who turns 75 on Monday.
Gibbons, known for his signature long beard, formed ZZ Top in 1969, recruiting Dusty Hil on bass and vocals, and drummer Frank “Rube” Beard. The trio released their debut album, ZZ Top’s First Album, in 1971, incorporating a variety of musical genres, including blues, hard rock and Southern rock. They went on to release 15 albums over the course of their career, selling an estimated 50 million records.
ZZ Top’s most commercially successful album is 1984’s Eliminator, which peaked at #9 on the Billboard Album chart and sold over 11 million copies in the U.S. The album included four hit singles: “Legs,” “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” “Sharped Dressed Man” and “TV Dinners.”
Gibbons was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with ZZ Top in 2015.
In addition to the band, Gibbons has had a successful solo career, releasing his debut solo album, Perfectamundo, under the name Billy Gibbons and the BFG’s in 2015. He’s also spent his career collaborating with other artists and has even dabbled in acting, playing Angela’s rock star dad on the hit Fox series Bones.
Known for his live performing, it’s no surprise Gibbons will be celebrating his 75th onstage. He’s set to kick off his three-night Birthday Jam at the Troubadour in Los Angeles on Wednesday, where he’ll be joined by a group of special guests, including Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash, Joe Bonamassa and The Doors’ Robby Krieger.
He’s also set to launch a solo tour with a two-night stand in Austin, Texas, Dec. 27 and Dec. 28, with a ZZ Top tour kicking off March 5 in Dotham, Alabama.
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