When it came time for Slash to send out invites to the sonic party that would become , his new blues-covers album, there was at least one obvious choice: Billy Gibbons. The well-traveled Texan has been shaking, baking and barbecuing the blues – with or without ZZ Top – since the late Sixties. On top of all that, the Slash/Gibbons friendship dates back to the days when ZZ Top’s and GN’R’s duked it out on the shelves at Tower Records on the corner of Sunset and Horn in North Hollywood.
As is always the case, the famous Texan showed up at Slash’s behest – expertly geared-up and raring to go – to help his host lay down a fine new version of Willie Dixon’s . Below, Gibbons chats about the sessions and gear, his relationship with Slash, the finer points of B.B.
King and Kingfish and the health of the blues in 2024. Spoiler alert: blues fans have nothing to worry about. “Backstage following a ZZ Top show in Los Angeles.
I maintained residence up the Sunset Strip nearby a notorious liquor store and happened by there one day to “resupply.” Our guy was there choosing the appropriate libation, and a friendship ensued. “He’s kind of unmistakable, and I guess he figured we were connected and latched onto all things ‘six-string’ in very short order.
We’ve knocked around pretty much ever since; I’d place that encounter somewhere in the late ’80s when was making some noise. Truly a sympatico cat if ever there was one.” “It’s fair to say Slash and o.