chap Posted June 18, 2009 Posted June 18, 2009 I think so, else I wouldn't be posting! What do you think? Even his name is cool - Billy GibbonsI didn't realize he was so tall... and La Grange - is that not the best song ever? ZZ Top stories, videos and such?
santellavision Posted June 18, 2009 Posted June 18, 2009 I have a real love/hate thing about the Rev. One part of me thinks he's a god. I've been following him and his work since Rio Grande Mud. His touch, tone and phrasing are brilliant, amazing. But, in every interview I've read, he always comes across as a pompus ass. He makes up goofy words to sound cool and hip. Sure, he 'was' great player, but, the last couple of times I've seen him live, he just went through the motions, not like I saw in in '70's. They were on freakin' fire! He's definitely not a guy I would enjoy having a beer with. I wouldn't believe a word he says now.
Disturber Posted June 18, 2009 Posted June 18, 2009 He's definitely not a guy I would enjoy having a beer with. I wouldn't believe a word he says now. I'd take that beer with him then. Sounds like there could be some hilarious moments over the lagers. One fox behind the left ear and a snake behind the other. Im sure he is a tremendous storyteller. True or not - if the stories are good enough - who cares, really
Kilroy is all about... Posted June 18, 2009 Posted June 18, 2009 yes and yes. la grange was the second song that my 12 son Liam learned on his short hamer bass. pipeline was the first. truly dig the 70s up to 81 zztop and need to check this upcoming release with assists from rick rubin and the dirty birds from athens, ohio--the black keys. i'd trade my malcolm young gretsch for a billy-bo any day considering the bo diddley and billy F. are in my top 10 guitarists of all time. (jbeck, jimi H., rick nielsen, pete townsend, johnny ramone, srvaughan, todd mohr park, and fast eddie clark--ace of spades with strat and distorting marshall stacks ).
Scottcrud Posted June 18, 2009 Posted June 18, 2009 La Grange is not, but Waitin' On the Bus is his coolest song!
custom53 Posted June 18, 2009 Posted June 18, 2009 La Grange is not, but Waitin' On the Bus is his coolest song!"Just Got Paid" and "Need You Tonight" Sweet Delay.....
lonote049 Posted June 18, 2009 Posted June 18, 2009 He's the king of the bullshitters but he sure can play.
hamerhead Posted June 18, 2009 Posted June 18, 2009 1st album I ever bought was Tres Hombres. I think I was 12. I'd have a beer with The Reverend anytime, anywhere. And I'd love to hear his stories - BS or not - just because..... My wife was pregnant with our first at the 'Recycler' tour show, and I swear to God that kid was dancin' in there. I thought for sure she'd come out with a beard.
jerseydrew Posted June 18, 2009 Posted June 18, 2009 IMHO, La Grange is a good song, but certainly not the best ever. To me, Layla is the best song ever. Also, I'm not really a fan of ZZ Top either. I don't hate them, I just don't care about them. Just my opinion.
Steve Haynie Posted June 18, 2009 Posted June 18, 2009 Back in 1982 ZZ Top came through on their El Loco tour. They played wearing jumpsuits and put on a great show. Grand Funk was the opening act. They were good, too. Back then you could hang around behind the concert hall and get autographs if the security guard did not run you off. There were a few people waiting for the bands to come out after the show. Dennis Bellinger was the bass player with Grand Funk. He told everyone to get out of his way and would not sign anything. I do not think that anyone got an autograph from any of the Grand Funk members that night. After waiting a while longer there were six of us left waiting next to the back wall of the auditorium, including Jeff and Chris Worley who would later form Jackyl. When ZZ Top came out Jeff was closest to the band and said, "Hey, Billy! How about an autograph?" Billy Gibbons said, "OK. Just ONE." I loaned Jeff a pen, but it would not write on the slick surface of the tour books that were sold. (It worked on just about anything else.) Billy said too bad and got in the car. No talk. No smiles. Nothing.
Brooks Posted June 18, 2009 Posted June 18, 2009 todd mohr park? big head todd? really? hahamy fave zz top tune is precious and grace, whata great riff.the "chrome smoke & BBQ" box set is a textbook of perfect tones & great tunes.
ceeb Posted June 18, 2009 Posted June 18, 2009 I love the pinch harmonics in La Grange, just about the entire lead is choked or pinched notes.However, I would defer to "Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers" as best song, for the lyrical content. That song iz badassh.
chap Posted June 18, 2009 Author Posted June 18, 2009 I guess not then. Maybe I'm just binging on ZZ Top because they're coming to town. I'm a big fan of all these three guitar players but they should not cover La Grange Maybe it's just me but sweeps, tapping, trem picking do not belong in that song...
specialk Posted June 18, 2009 Posted June 18, 2009 Maybe it's just me Nope, it's not just you, But Mr. Sheehan does do a pretty good job on vocals.
chap Posted June 18, 2009 Author Posted June 18, 2009 Maybe it's just me Nope, it's not just you, But Mr. Sheehan does do a pretty good job on vocals. haha thought so! Yea Billy was great on Vocals, I'm surprised he held back and didn't join the fun. Maybe he's thinking what I was thinking LOL
Willie G. Moseley Posted June 19, 2009 Posted June 19, 2009 On Gibbons' recommendation, I read 'SHARP DRESSED MEN' by their former lighting director. Most of the pronouncements and revelations therein seem valid, based on what I've experienced in my dealings w/ the band from a journalistic p.o.v., and the book doesn't come across as an expose.BFG has described himself as eccentric, but you better believe the gears are always turnin' upstairs. I've never met anyone quite like him.
lesterpaul Posted June 19, 2009 Posted June 19, 2009 ......his wife Gilligan is HOT!!!!!!!!...but the song is NASTY DOGS AND FUNKY KINGS,boys and girls!!!!!!!!!!!-my best bud caught up with him at SXSW last year or so...he was very gracious....went from bar to bar with my buddy..playing guitar, but not trying to "1 up" anyone...he said he was just a dude in the neighborhood..he said BG never tried to shake him..they hung out all night(..I know my "bud" is called "Bud" for a reason.........!!!)...I agree, however...he has been mercurial, in terms of many of his interviews....
MTM105 Posted June 19, 2009 Posted June 19, 2009 I guess only Aerosmith would top ZZ Top as the greatest band from that era.Billy must have had serious Mods on his Marshall for Eliminator album. No one will know what kind of Mods he does on his Amps. That must be the key to his tone. Must have recorded with a few Fenders. Used Marshal Lead 12 on Heads In Mississippi.I bought the recent live DVD. Also have the MTV VIds DVD. I'm a fan, you can say.Has his own guitar. Doesn't every guitar G-d?
chap Posted June 19, 2009 Author Posted June 19, 2009 I don't know, I just think they have the coolest ablums, album names (Eliminator, Tres Hombres, Afterburner), songs ... Even their names are cool "Billy Gibbons, Dusty Rhodes" and my favorite "Frank Beard" are cool... Guitars are cool And so are their stupid stage antics like pointing, spinning guitars, turning, that two step dance etc... I mean the stage show is so stupid is cool. And to combine hot rods with music? Why don't more people do this?And what the hell is that shrine thing they always pet on stage?Yea I tihnk so too there is much cooler, but ZZ Top is way up there on the list.
veatch Posted June 19, 2009 Posted June 19, 2009 And so are their stupid stage antics like pointing, spinning guitars, turning, that two step dance etc... I mean the stage show is so stupid is cool. IIRC - Their choreographer for those videos was none other than the mighty Paula Abdul...
humfree Posted June 19, 2009 Posted June 19, 2009 How come no one has mentioned Deguello and El Loco? For me, those were THE guitar tone albums. It seems like they have been stuck in Eliminator land ever since. I don't think I heard distortion on any song until Eliminator came along, and now that's all there is. 'Manic Mechanic', 'Heaven, Hell or Houston', "Ten Foot Pole', anyone, anyone? I have been so disappointed the last few times I have seen them. I keep hoping the Reverend Billy G. will return to his old form, but his persona seems more important than playing with feel these days. Maybe I still resent that appearance with Kid Rock . He could lay back in a groove like no one else (in his day). In the end, I only want to see him at his full potential.. and I miss seeing that of late. One of the, if not THE best at what he does (did). Did he ever play with a quarter, or was that just a story?
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