First time I saw ZZ Top was at a Manfred Man and his Earth Band show in Bethlehem, PA. When they finished their 30-minute show the ovation was so loud they came back for an encore. Dressed like cowboys w cowboy hats and jeans. I believe it was 1972. The crowd yelled, ZZ Top, ZZ Top until they came back on stage. Manfred Mann never played that day... It was amazing.
Can't agree with you more, wasn't surprised when an article came out late 90's in one of the guitar magazines stating that Billy Gibbons was by far the favorite guitarist of guitarist, not only rock but blues & country players were Gaga for him And his style, like the late BB King,Gibbons could get a Ton of feeling from the fewest amount of notes. He is a master of dynamics, quiet to loud,soft to hard & slow to fast. A simple notion, but so many struggle to get it just right, Billy Gibbons not only Gets it right but actually embodies it🎸👍🎸, SOME MY FAVORITE ⏩ FANDANGO,TRES HOMBRES & DEGUALO❤️🔥🌶️🌹🔥🎸🎸🎸
Brown Sugar still leaves me in awe at how great that guitar work is. Decades later and it still makes me grin like a boy with candy. I gigged for many many many years, and a ZZ tune always got the people to the dance floor.
I am 69, and have been playing since I was 11. Still, every time I pick up my guitar, I play Brown Sugar. It is permanently stuck in my head. Yes! Living in Texas, I have seen ZZ live 20-30 times. I still love the early stuff the most. Texas Blues....
It may be just my opinion, but I believe that you will go down in history as being one of the most melodically tasty guitarists known. Tim, theoretically speaking it’s the modes and alternates and modulations that you choose that bring a melody into uniqueness nearly every time you ad lib. a solo. The way you put together your blend of influence is irreplaceable. You are sort of like another Allan Holdsworth of another breed. You are the quiet blend of so many greats that I believe you could be on everyone’s album and none of us would even know it. That is what makes you arguably the greatest session musician ever known. To walk in, sit on a cold chair and create an output signal that sounds like it has been developed over dozens of meetings across many months to fit into the music perfectly. When it comes to a performance, there is a balance. It’s not just the mechanics or the theoretics or the melodics. It’s the overall fruit. The finished product. That’s where you are somehow able to put it all together perfectly balanced; perhaps not always on the first take, but always within a reasonable amount of time.
So nice hearing your appreciation for Billy G. As a fellow Texan we know how he doesn’t get enough credit for being so damn good. Thanks for the video.
WHO please had any DOUBTS? Someone who has LIVED on stage for Fifty years, MUST be "good" - NO, he has to be EXTRAORDINARY good. I saw him first in the beginning of the 80's, in Hamburg - GerMoney. Location: wrong choice (Congress hall) Sound: lousy (first, can't hear the guitar, then "over tuned". Despite the top mixer, including graphics analyzer. We considered "nudging" him to take over sound control.) ;-) but: I WAS THERE I prefer small locations, Daryl's house, for example.
I wore out my 8 Track of ZZ Tops first album. I saw them in Jacksonville in the early 70's, 72 I think and they opened for Deep Purple. What a concert!!!!!
You started at 12 and you think that was late! I was 19, I'll be 52 this year and still playing, went to college in my early 40s to study music performance, I've discovered you're never too old if you put in the necessary time and effort and have fun playing.
I love all your videos so helpful. Been playing all my life. 60 yrs old. Never feel like i'm good enough. Get unmotivated. Never gig. I've talked my wife into letting me join your course. You just seem like a good teacher and when i hear you play, i get motivated. Time to get my prs 513 back out.
I LOVE Billy Gibbons and the thing I take the most from him is one of the most important elements in all of guitar in my opinion and that is phrasing. He's one of the few guys that deserves to be mentioned among the Gilmour's of the world in that regard.
I had the pleasure, at age 14, of seeing the Moving Sidewalks in person when they toured with Hendrix. The Rev. Billy G had his mojo on then too. Thanks for the great video!
Oh wow-so jealous but that must've been a religious experience to see Jimi and the Rev. Billy G way back when! Probably changed your DNA seeing that show. Man...
At a weekend music ministry conference, one of the music panel leaders said that if you listen, guitarists may play more notes in the studio, but on stage live, drop to half as many notes. From eighths to quarters, quarters to halves... Reminds me of Billy Gibbons' story of being told by B.B. King that he was working too hard on stage, and should drop to lighter strings. He then learned he could be just as powerful with 7s and not work as hard with the heavier strings he'd thought he needed. Thanks for helping to fill in on Rhett's channel!
Exactly... I saw that interview with Rev Willie and ordered his 7s right up. Now keep a few sets laying around. and 7s 8s and 9s of Rev Willie strings.
Thanks for clearing up the Rio Grand amp thing. Saw them in 1974 on the Tres Hombres tour and after the show I asked a roady what was up with the relabled Marshalls. He swore up and down they were Rio Grand amps. Love your channel!
In 1974, my band was playing on the main concourse at the Spokane Worlds Fair. In one afternoon, ZZ Top was was playing in what can be described as an oversized beer garden without beer. Out side, on the main stage was Elvis Presley. Older folks with purple hair were watching him. Most were crowded in watching ZZ Top.
Billy's new album "Hardware" is amazing. Subconsciously? He's always had a major influence on my soloing attempts. Basically, K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Stupid). I love the dirt he gives to basic chords with simple finger picking. Great video Tim!
You are such an excellent player. I hate to tell you, though, I never make it through a full video. I hear you playing and I gotta grab a guitar and get playing myself. Inspiring stuff.
LOVE your technique of leading to the next phrase or lick with 1-2 fingers up & down the neck shows through on all of your lessons. It's one simple thing players can do to break out of the boxes.
Tim, i ALWAYS enjoy listening to you play. Even more than hearing it, i enjoy watching the joy on your face when you play. As far as "too many notes," i think when you're recording a song for someone else, you do what's needed. That's why you've been able to make s career at it. When you're playing to a track, jamming by yourself, i think whatever you do is what you feel. You're tickling your own imagination, so, anything goes! Don't sweat it. Love the channel, thanks for taking the time for the rest of us! Jeffro
I used to liken ZZ Top to AC-DC. But that’s very surface. Angus is straightforwardly awesome, but Billy has that unpredictable fluidity to his musicality. There is something much deeper than blues rock there, something ethereal.
I'd add the third album as well. I was in high school when Tres Hombres was released and i wore the grooves off that vinyl. Every song on that record is top shelf. I had the fortune of meeting them one night on Sixth Street in Austin - walked past a little cafe/bar and was shocked to see all three sitting at a table just inside the door. Poked my head in and thanked them for such great music. They were so friendly and cool about it - zero ego. Saw Billy's perfectomundo solo tour on his birthday (Seattle). The Kind of Cool will be out playing till the day he passes.
@@rickmartin7674 There's a recent interview here on RUclips with Aldo that was very cool. look up this title right here....... Aldo Nova talks working with Bon Jovi, recording Fantasy and Eddie Gage | Jeremy White Podcast
I saw ZZ Top as an opening act for Uriah Heep in 1973. The next act was Earth Wind and Fire. What a great show. It was my second concert. I was 16 years old and my first concert was Jethro Tull. We were so excited when we left the Tull concert, we just had to see another. So we bought tickets to the next concert without really knowing who any of these people were. It was as mentioned before, Uriah Heep, Earth Wind and Fire and ZZ Top. What a great show! ZZ Top rocked the house. Earth Wind and Fire Also rocked the house. Uriah Heep were in their HeyDay and we left in awe. I bought Tres Hombres the next day. The sad part looking back is we paid $4.50 for the Tull tickets and $5.00 for the Uriah Heep tickets. Back then that was 2 hours of work. Fair enough, it was worth it. $200 a ticket now? There is no one I would pay that much now to see. People are busting their asses just to put food on the table. I saw ZZ Top a couple of years ago at the New York State Fair for free and they were Awesome! RIP Dusty Hill!
Back then promoters would mix acts stylistically so you would in fact see EWF at a rock show. They were awesome and had monster chops and probably were a lot of young people's first exposure to R&B and world music. Even within the rock genre they would mix unlikely bands - I mean shortly after the "Frampton's Camel" album, Peter Frampton toured by opening for Black Sabbath. not exactly a match but no one cared. It was seen as a feature.
Billy Gibbons is one of my all time favorite guitar players and you are showing his techniques so well Tim! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge!
Chevrolet is one of my all-time favourites by ZZ. So cool and laid back. Utterly belies the skills at work! Sheik (Tres Hombres) being a close another.
Saw them on probably the same tour. '72 ish Rio Grande amps. Mirrors behind the back line. $6 ticket at Boutwell Auditorium in Birmingham, AL Four or five encores in blue jeans and flannel shirts. Awesome show!!!
I remember when I was just a kid, sitting in my tree house and watching a party the neighbors were having when someone put on ZZ Top's first record album and it was at that moment I fell in love with blues rock and Billy's electric guitar solos.
I loved Rio Grand Mud. The whole album was great. I was also a fan from the beginning. Aging myself..... And I still have the Vinyl in the cover. It's hanging on the wall in one of those "Album Picture Frames" next to the unopened Afterburner Album. And next to those is my Beatles Yesterday and Today Album. Original Mono Second stage.
It is great that you give Rev Billy all that cred that he and his ZZ-companeros deserve. My own favourite is Blue Jean. I live in Sweden and have been on all conserts here the last 35 years. From the Eliminator tour and forward. It is a pity they not so often play " them good old tunes" though from the early records. And Dusty is missed even if the new base Boy is doin his job great. Keep up the good work all You ZZTOP- and Billyfans out there. Wish U all a Merry Christmas!
Tim you’re a human machine with all that licks linked to many people from different genre and musical background.. Which makes if you the most impressive with the coolest attitude.. a guy I wished be
" Blue Jean blues" off Fandango is best blues song EVER. Wish it was longer.... But yes, first album is gold. I'm from a town SW of Houston and hear references to local things. Highway 6!! More about Billy please.
You're one hell of a guitar player and teacher thank you I grew up listening to Billy Gibbons I saw him open up with the Allman Brothers in Memphis Tennessee when he just got out of the service he had short hair no beard long tall boots you wouldn't recognize Billy Gibbons back then but you would recognize his licks I'm from Clarksdale Mississippi and we love the blues and Billy Gibbons
My buddyguitarists are shocked when i tell em i use 8s on almost all my guitars even my 12 string acoustic,then tell em bg uses 7 s ,love your playing and your knowledge Tim.....rock on......
From Brazil here, love your videos. Actually I need to watch one video of yours in a daily basis. The musicianship and your joy playing is what I need to end the day in a high note. Thank you for posting.
I'm an intermediate level guitar player working as hard as I can to get better. you have no idea how much your comments and demonstration about making pentatonics creative helped me.
I'm totally with you. I first saw ZZ Top opening for Leon Russell in Vancouver BC, 1972. I didn't know who they were...it felt like nobody in the arena knew who they were. Cowboy Hats, Jeans, Workshirts...I figured they must be a Country Act. Then they started to play...They blew the top off of the place. It seemed impossible that much sound was coming out of 3 guys...They absolutely stole the show. Leon was great but the audience was still processing what they had just witnessed. Sooo Bad Ass. Gottamellowdowneasy was the icing on the cake. Speaking to your point about less notes...Listen to Miles Davis. He was the master of using the space between the notes in this silis and ballads. Miles picked up the use of space from pianist Amad Jamal, whose playing is so deceptively simple, he was criticized for being a lounge act... for those who didn't REALLY listen. In fact both Miles and Amad were changing the direction of music.
Man that ‘discipline’ period 8:00-9:10 ish was brilliant - it was like a lick library of different approaches - perfectly illustrated you point and super classy (as usual)
I started to play guitar 15 months ago. You are one of the you tubers that inspire me. I just released a Trilogy of albums on band camp. I play all the parts into a 5 track looper and record the guitar part live with no overdubs. Thanks man
Blue Jean Blues is one of my favorite early jams, think that was Fandango. Had that one on vinyl thanks to Columbia House record club, lol. Remember them?!? love your channel always, saw you with Rick Springfield back in the day. 1984-1985.
So it's the Houston Cellar and Dusty and Frank are still working there with Dusty's brother, Rocky, and a keyboard player, and everyone is sounding pretty sharp. It might have been a Sunday. So, Billy Gibbons walks in and sets up with Dusty and Frank. And, you know, a lot of good players and bands have passed through there. Anyway, they start this tune that is so tight, with Billy's guitar almost sounding like a pedal steel as they do the intro to "Shaking your Tree". And, the crowd, mostly musicians, sits in stunned silence.
Haw, haw, haw ... nice intro jam Tim. My first recollection of ZZ Top was Deguello, after which I went back and was mind blown by the early Billy riffs.
Tim you are the greatest you have open my eyes to music and your laid back way just amazing guitar player wish i knew about yiu when I was alot younger im in my 70s but i still look up anything that you record and do I follow you as much as im am able cant afford to join your classes , but I enjoy every thing you have done and zli learn the best I can I love the Blues and Billy Gibbons playing
Hey I'm from Albuquerque, cool! Love your videos as usual Tim. Your great attitude makes it so much easier to learn all the invaluable things you have to share.
I'm just climbing into the sack at 2am. I never should have clipped on RUclips. Mr. Pierce, I need to go to bed! I need to put my Les Paul down...and stop playing BG! You are an evil instigator my friend.
Billy first caugh my ear when I heard Tush on the radio. But it was the Deguello album that really pulled me in. So much so, that I ended up forming a ZZ Top tribute band. It was a lot of fun learning Billy's licks. Sometimes his guitar playing makes me laugh- in a good way. Billy, if you're reading this, I've been getting paid to play your music steadily since 1984, so in addition to a most heartfelt "Thank You", I think I owe you some royalties. Get in touch and we'll work something out.
I enjoyed the simpler Riffing that you did. Well they weren't really simple they were just less notes with breathing time in between.Us guitar players often forget that soloing should be us saying our thing. When you dont come up for air you lose people attention. When you break down into sentences they can digest, they connect with you and want to hear more. You are incredible, btw!
I am a lifelong professional bassist and from Texas...I have always appreciated ZZ top and Billy...however Billy can't hold a candle to you brother! Keep up the great work...your playing is extremely tasteful. Hope we cross musical paths one day.
![Twenty One Pilots - The Line (from Arcane Season 2) [Official Audio]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/XCz7WUotXs8/mqdefault.jpg)
R.I.P Dusty Hill a sad day for Top Fans, and there would be no ZZ top without his bass work. A monster player and a legend of rock.
First time I saw ZZ Top was at a Manfred Man and his Earth Band show in Bethlehem, PA. When they finished their 30-minute show the ovation was so loud they came back for an encore. Dressed like cowboys w cowboy hats and jeans. I believe it was 1972. The crowd yelled, ZZ Top, ZZ Top until they came back on stage. Manfred Mann never played that day... It was amazing.
Too bad, Manfred Mann was awesome back then
Epic!
What venue?
The show of MMEB was COMPLETELY canceled? It's hard to believe, these musicians were world class at the moment. Or did we misunderstand you?
Peter are you a Bethlehem Pa native? That's my hometown. Anyhow didn't see my first concert till 1976 and got into ZZ around 77 or 78.
yes! Billy Gibbons still an underrated master - so simple but deep and classy - Tres Hombres still my favourite too
Tim makes it look so easy and effortless.. can watch him all day
Can't agree with you more, wasn't surprised when an article came out late 90's in one of the guitar magazines stating that Billy Gibbons was by far the favorite guitarist of guitarist, not only rock but blues & country players were Gaga for him And his style, like the late BB King,Gibbons could get a
Ton of feeling from the fewest amount of notes. He is a master of dynamics, quiet to loud,soft to hard & slow to fast. A simple notion, but so many struggle to get it just right, Billy Gibbons not only
Gets it right but actually embodies it🎸👍🎸, SOME MY FAVORITE ⏩ FANDANGO,TRES HOMBRES & DEGUALO❤️🔥🌶️🌹🔥🎸🎸🎸
Brown Sugar still leaves me in awe at how great that guitar work is. Decades later and it still makes me grin like a boy with candy.
I gigged for many many many years, and a ZZ tune always got the people to the dance floor.
I am 69, and have been playing since I was 11. Still, every time I pick up my guitar, I play Brown Sugar. It is permanently stuck in my head. Yes! Living in Texas, I have seen ZZ live 20-30 times. I still love the early stuff the most. Texas Blues....
It's all about that First Album! It's a chest full of gold for anyone wanting to learn some hot blues!
The tone on the intro licks for Brown Sugar are incredible.
@@bobjenkins1757 That's the truth! Insane!
Yes, love Gibbons' playing all over that-so badass!
It may be just my opinion, but I believe that you will go down in history as being one of the most melodically tasty guitarists known.
Tim, theoretically speaking it’s the modes and alternates and modulations that you choose that bring a melody into uniqueness nearly every time you ad lib. a solo.
The way you put together your blend of influence is irreplaceable.
You are sort of like another Allan Holdsworth of another breed. You are the quiet blend of so many greats that I believe you could be on everyone’s album and none of us would even know it. That is what makes you arguably the greatest session musician ever known. To walk in, sit on a cold chair and create an output signal that sounds like it has been developed over dozens of meetings across many months to fit into the music perfectly.
When it comes to a performance, there is a balance. It’s not just the mechanics or the theoretics or the melodics. It’s the overall fruit. The finished product. That’s where you are somehow able to put it all together perfectly balanced; perhaps not always on the first take, but always within a reasonable amount of time.
So nice hearing your appreciation for Billy G. As a fellow Texan we know how he doesn’t get enough credit for being so damn good. Thanks for the video.
Well, this 66 year old guy from Detroit knows he's great.
WHO please had any DOUBTS? Someone who has LIVED on stage for Fifty years, MUST be "good" - NO, he has to be EXTRAORDINARY good.
I saw him first in the beginning of the 80's, in Hamburg - GerMoney.
Location: wrong choice (Congress hall)
Sound: lousy (first, can't hear the guitar, then "over tuned". Despite the top mixer, including graphics analyzer. We considered "nudging" him to take over sound control.) ;-)
but:
I WAS THERE
I prefer small locations, Daryl's house, for example.
I'm not sure about that . He is VERY well regarded around the Industry . A Sound all his own , and can play along with Anyone .
This Chicagoan LOVES his playing! And Tim’s pretty damn good, too.
Tube Snake Boogie still gives me chills. His approach of the phrasing on that one are out of this world.
Your playing always sounds like you never hit a bum note , always just as sweet as can be !
Good stuff Tim!
I wore out my 8 Track of ZZ Tops first album. I saw them in Jacksonville in the early 70's, 72 I think and they opened for Deep Purple. What a concert!!!!!
Tim-You are by far now one of my favorite guitarists all time. Your legacy of work speaks for itself. I will be buying your Master class!!
You should check out Dave Simpson from the UK he has a channel, amazing player.
You started at 12 and you think that was late! I was 19, I'll be 52 this year and still playing, went to college in my early 40s to study music performance, I've discovered you're never too old if you put in the necessary time and effort and have fun playing.
Nice sentiments, and way to go...keep grindin
The first 2 albums absolutely! First saw them in ‘72. Was blown away!
Every phrase Tim plays makes me say, "Nothing else could have gone there; that was perfection."
I found ZZ Top in 1973 with theTres Hombres album. "Jesus just left Chicago" got me hooked. I love the first 2 albums as well.
I love all your videos so helpful. Been playing all my life. 60 yrs old. Never feel like i'm good enough. Get unmotivated. Never gig. I've talked my wife into letting me join your course. You just seem like a good teacher and when i hear you play, i get motivated. Time to get my prs 513 back out.
I LOVE Billy Gibbons and the thing I take the most from him is one of the most important elements in all of guitar in my opinion and that is phrasing. He's one of the few guys that deserves to be mentioned among the Gilmour's of the world in that regard.
Gibbons can put a couple licks within multiple songs, which are immediately identifiable, yet I always wish the solos were longer on the albums.
I absolutely agree. But I do miss some of the variety of sounds and techniques from the early albums.
Well lol i think gilmore might with some texas cookin...n baptism in the rio Grande...be mentioned with billy!!!
When you mentioned phrasing, I immediately thought of Gilmour. Then you mentioned Gilmour at the end of your comment.
@@michaelschweitzer6718 Great minds think alike. LOL!
Tres Hombres is a masterclass unto itself.
I had the pleasure, at age 14, of seeing the Moving Sidewalks in person when they toured with Hendrix. The Rev. Billy G had his mojo on then too. Thanks for the great video!
Oh wow-so jealous but that must've been a religious experience to see Jimi and the Rev. Billy G way back when! Probably changed your DNA seeing that show. Man...
There should be a RUclipsr musician tour. I'd definitely pay to see Tim, Rick Beato and a few others perform live.
Add Warren Huart to that band I reckon 😎
And Rhett Shull
Add Paul Stafford Cook and Tico the singing bird to the bill, throw in an exploding-amoeba light show, and I am so there.
And pee wee Herman too
A-YEON on drums
At a weekend music ministry conference, one of the music panel leaders said that if you listen, guitarists may play more notes in the studio, but on stage live, drop to half as many notes. From eighths to quarters, quarters to halves... Reminds me of Billy Gibbons' story of being told by B.B. King that he was working too hard on stage, and should drop to lighter strings. He then learned he could be just as powerful with 7s and not work as hard with the heavier strings he'd thought he needed. Thanks for helping to fill in on Rhett's channel!
Exactly... I saw that interview with Rev Willie and ordered his 7s right up. Now keep a few sets laying around. and 7s 8s and 9s of Rev Willie strings.
When I write a solo for a song, the engineer and I will sit down and take about half of it out lol
LESS is MORE, in most of the cases, my teacher says. The measure is AUTHENTICITY:
Beer drinkers and hell raisers with that feedback is classic!
Thanks for clearing up the Rio Grand amp thing. Saw them in 1974 on the Tres Hombres tour and after the show I asked a roady what was up with the relabled Marshalls. He swore up and down they were Rio Grand amps. Love your channel!
In 1974, my band was playing on the main concourse at the Spokane Worlds Fair. In one afternoon, ZZ Top was was playing in what can be described as an oversized beer garden without beer. Out side, on the main stage was Elvis Presley. Older folks with purple hair were watching
him. Most were crowded in watching ZZ Top.
and ZZ probably wanted to get over there and hang out with Elvis :)
The "spaces" are tasty because they give the ears that extra moment to savor what they heard...just sayin'...
Or prepare the ears for what's coming next!
yep, although yngwie says "more is more", more is only more if you know what less is, and i don't think he does.
Well said.
Rough boys is my favorite track. Those solos just transport me somewhere sublime.
love that line at :40 !
My favorite song of their's has been Brown Sugar off the first album.
That tone!
Yea man that's a good one
That and “Just Got Back From Babies”
Always thought that the Brown Sugar tone was the perfect Les Paul--Marshall sound.
@@buddylobos5277 Like molten lava!
Billy's new album "Hardware" is amazing. Subconsciously? He's always had a major influence on my soloing attempts. Basically, K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Stupid). I love the dirt he gives to basic chords with simple finger picking. Great video Tim!
You are such an excellent player. I hate to tell you, though, I never make it through a full video. I hear you playing and I gotta grab a guitar and get playing myself. Inspiring stuff.
LOVE your technique of leading to the next phrase or lick with 1-2 fingers up & down the neck shows through on all of your lessons. It's one simple thing players can do to break out of the boxes.
Billy puts on a masterclass of economy of motion and putting only the required effort in any riff! 💕
Love watching u play...u are very generous w your knowledge...only helping the next generation to keep it playing...
Tim, i ALWAYS enjoy listening to you play. Even more than hearing it, i enjoy watching the joy on your face when you play.
As far as "too many notes," i think when you're recording a song for someone else, you do what's needed. That's why you've been able to make s career at it.
When you're playing to a track, jamming by yourself, i think whatever you do is what you feel. You're tickling your own imagination, so, anything goes!
Don't sweat it.
Love the channel, thanks for taking the time for the rest of us!
Jeffro
Couldn’t agree more man! Billy Gibbons is a master of cool hooks and tasteful phrasing! ✌🏻🎸🎶
I used to liken ZZ Top to AC-DC. But that’s very surface. Angus is straightforwardly awesome, but Billy has that unpredictable fluidity to his musicality. There is something much deeper than blues rock there, something ethereal.
I'd add the third album as well. I was in high school when Tres Hombres was released and i wore the grooves off that vinyl. Every song on that record is top shelf. I had the fortune of meeting them one night on Sixth Street in Austin - walked past a little cafe/bar and was shocked to see all three sitting at a table just inside the door. Poked my head in and thanked them for such great music. They were so friendly and cool about it - zero ego. Saw Billy's perfectomundo solo tour on his birthday (Seattle). The Kind of Cool will be out playing till the day he passes.
Yes. The double hit thing at 3:19 is all over the early stuff. Love it.
Those two albums hooked me so bad. Billy was a genius to me when I was a kid and in my top 5 rock guitarists
Pinch harmonics are still cool. #BringBackTheSqueal
Especially with some whammy bar action included
Believe it or not, Aldo Nova's 1st album belongs in the pinch harmonic hall of fame.
@@RU-HDD-4-HVN there's a name I haven't seen in a long while. I might look them up.
@@rickmartin7674 There's a recent interview here on RUclips with Aldo that was very cool. look up this title right here....... Aldo Nova talks working with Bon Jovi, recording Fantasy and Eddie Gage | Jeremy White Podcast
I saw ZZ Top as an opening act for Uriah Heep in 1973. The next act was Earth Wind and Fire. What a great show. It was my second concert. I was 16 years old and my first concert was Jethro Tull. We were so excited when we left the Tull concert, we just had to see another. So we bought tickets to the next concert without really knowing who any of these people were. It was as mentioned before, Uriah Heep, Earth Wind and Fire and ZZ Top. What a great show! ZZ Top rocked the house. Earth Wind and Fire Also rocked the house. Uriah Heep were in their HeyDay and we left in awe. I bought Tres Hombres the next day. The sad part looking back is we paid $4.50 for the Tull tickets and $5.00 for the Uriah Heep tickets. Back then that was 2 hours of work. Fair enough, it was worth it. $200 a ticket now? There is no one I would pay that much now to see. People are busting their asses just to put food on the table. I saw ZZ Top a couple of years ago at the New York State Fair for free and they were Awesome! RIP Dusty Hill!
Holy shit, dude...
You couldn’t hold back the notes when it changed keys. Nice.
Back then promoters would mix acts stylistically so you would in fact see EWF at a rock show. They were awesome and had monster chops and probably were a lot of young people's first exposure to R&B and world music. Even within the rock genre they would mix unlikely bands - I mean shortly after the "Frampton's Camel" album, Peter Frampton toured by opening for Black Sabbath. not exactly a match but no one cared. It was seen as a feature.
A happy 4th to Tim, all the work this man does for us wanna be badasses is so amazing...keep playing, keep listening, and thank Tim!
Billy Gibbons is one of my all time favorite guitar players and you are showing his techniques so well Tim! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge!
WOW! Slow this solo down and learn this catalogue of blues licks all young and old players! Beautiful playing Tim!
Chevrolet is one of my all-time favourites by ZZ. So cool and laid back. Utterly belies the skills at work! Sheik (Tres Hombres) being a close another.
Nationwide has always been one of my favorites because of the 2 different guitar's used on the lead breaks Strat/LP back and forth Good stuff 👍
Saw them on probably the same tour. '72 ish Rio Grande amps. Mirrors behind the back line. $6 ticket at Boutwell Auditorium in Birmingham, AL Four or five encores in blue jeans and flannel shirts. Awesome show!!!
Mr. Tim! Thank you for your videos and wisdom you share online for people in different continents. I, for one am from India
The intro to this video is HANDS DOWN my favorite thing I've heard you play!!!
I appreciate your joy for playing. It is contagious and a good reminder to not always be so serious. Gotta enjoy it as well!
I remember when I was just a kid, sitting in my tree house and watching a party the neighbors were having when someone put on ZZ Top's first record album and it was at that moment I fell in love with blues rock and Billy's electric guitar solos.
Tim, You have some of the best guitar tone on RUclips. Your videos are very well done.
I loved Rio Grand Mud. The whole album was great. I was also a fan from the beginning.
Aging myself.....
And I still have the Vinyl in the cover. It's hanging on the wall in one of those "Album Picture Frames" next to the unopened Afterburner Album. And next to those is my Beatles Yesterday and Today Album. Original Mono Second stage.
It is great that you give Rev Billy all that cred that he and his ZZ-companeros deserve. My own favourite is Blue Jean. I live in Sweden and have been on all conserts here the last 35 years. From the Eliminator tour and forward. It is a pity they not so often play " them good old tunes" though from the early records. And Dusty is missed even if the new base Boy is doin his job great. Keep up the good work all You ZZTOP- and Billyfans out there. Wish U all a Merry Christmas!
Tim you’re a human machine with all that licks linked to many people from different genre and musical background..
Which makes if you the most impressive with the coolest attitude.. a guy I wished be
That Just Got Paid riff is an all-time great! Such a terrific album. That and Tres Hombres back to back was just mind blowing.
" Blue Jean blues" off Fandango is best blues song EVER.
Wish it was longer....
But yes, first album is gold.
I'm from a town SW of Houston and hear references to local things.
Highway 6!!
More about Billy please.
I love this Man's Guitar Playing-Tim Pierce is Fabulous.
You make it look so effortless Tim.
Love him. He is a true educator and master of his instrument
Tim Pierce you are one cool dude. I’ve learned from you so much, thank you.
Love the double stops and how you flow along with the key changes. Your phrasing vocabulary is inspiring.
You're one hell of a guitar player and teacher thank you I grew up listening to Billy Gibbons I saw him open up with the Allman Brothers in Memphis Tennessee when he just got out of the service he had short hair no beard long tall boots you wouldn't recognize Billy Gibbons back then but you would recognize his licks I'm from Clarksdale Mississippi and we love the blues and Billy Gibbons
My buddyguitarists are shocked when i tell em i use 8s on almost all my guitars even my 12 string acoustic,then tell em bg uses 7 s ,love your playing and your knowledge Tim.....rock on......
From Brazil here, love your videos. Actually I need to watch one video of yours in a daily basis. The musicianship and your joy playing is what I need to end the day in a high note. Thank you for posting.
Wow, thank you!
I'm an intermediate level guitar player working as hard as I can to get better. you have no idea how much your comments and demonstration about making pentatonics creative helped me.
I'm totally with you. I first saw ZZ Top opening for Leon Russell in Vancouver BC, 1972. I didn't know who they were...it felt like nobody in the arena knew who they were. Cowboy Hats, Jeans, Workshirts...I figured they must be a Country Act. Then they started to play...They blew the top off of the place. It seemed impossible that much sound was coming out of 3 guys...They absolutely stole the show. Leon was great but the audience was still processing what they had just witnessed. Sooo Bad Ass. Gottamellowdowneasy was the icing on the cake.
Speaking to your point about less notes...Listen to Miles Davis. He was the master of using the space between the notes in this silis and ballads. Miles picked up the use of space from pianist Amad Jamal, whose playing is so deceptively simple, he was criticized for being a lounge act... for those who didn't REALLY listen. In fact both Miles and Amad were changing the direction of music.
Man that ‘discipline’ period 8:00-9:10 ish was brilliant - it was like a lick library of different approaches - perfectly illustrated you point and super classy (as usual)
Less taking, more playing! :) I could listen to this noodling around all day.
Thanks Tim happy 4th of July... appreciate all the content...it's well curated and u are always after something interesting...great work..
Tim you are such a great teacher, thank you for your talent and time, and sharing.
I started to play guitar 15 months ago. You are one of the you tubers that inspire me. I just released a Trilogy of albums on band camp. I play all the parts into a 5 track looper and record the guitar part live with no overdubs. Thanks man
Blue Jean Blues is one of my favorite early jams, think that was Fandango. Had that one on vinyl thanks to Columbia House record club, lol. Remember them?!? love your channel always, saw you with Rick Springfield back in the day. 1984-1985.
Yes. Some of my music collection is thanks to Columbia House as well.
Columbia House, worth every penny.
Haha I was in Spain for almost a year in the mid ‘70s. Didn’t bring any music with me but did find a cassette of Fandango. Pretty much wore it out.
So it's the Houston Cellar and Dusty and Frank are still working there with Dusty's brother, Rocky, and a keyboard player, and everyone is sounding pretty sharp. It might have been a Sunday. So, Billy Gibbons walks in and sets up with Dusty and Frank. And, you know, a lot of good players and bands have passed through there. Anyway, they start this tune that is so tight, with Billy's guitar almost sounding like a pedal steel as they do the intro to "Shaking your Tree". And, the crowd, mostly musicians, sits in stunned silence.
Haw, haw, haw ... nice intro jam Tim. My first recollection of ZZ Top was Deguello, after which I went back and was mind blown by the early Billy riffs.
Indeed! ZZ Top's First Album and Rio Grande Mud remain my favorite recordings from the Rev Billy G
7:09 Agreed. "Notes are expensive - spend them wisely." - BB King
Yep and the magic is in the space between the notes!
He plays 7’s amongst other gauges. I’ve just ordered some Jim Dunlop Billy Gibbons Signature 7’s…can’t wait to try them 💪🏻☺️
That's some sweet playing right there, my man! I love Billy Gibbon's as well. Best guitarist ever. After you!
Tim you are the greatest you have open my eyes to music and your laid back way just amazing guitar player wish i knew about yiu when I was alot younger im in my 70s but i still look up anything that you record and do I follow you as much as im am able cant afford to join your classes , but I enjoy every thing you have done and zli learn the best I can I love the Blues and Billy Gibbons playing
You sounded so much better when you dialed it back and left spaces and pauses in your solo!!
Brown Sugar off their first album is still my favorite.
Hey I'm from Albuquerque, cool! Love your videos as usual Tim. Your great attitude makes it so much easier to learn all the invaluable things you have to share.
I can hear the shades of Johnny winter in the intro solo as well , really nice hinting not direct ripping
Nghe Phúc hát mà nước mắt rơi mãi ....quá nhiều cảm xúc ùa về, quá nhiều kỉ niệm. Cảm ơn Đức Phúc thật nhiều, giọng hát anh ấm tựa nắng mùa Thu vậy.
I’ve had the chance to hang out with Billy several times. Billy was my buddy’s best man in his wedding.
I saw them when they were The Moving Sidewalks, at the Cellar in Houston 1968.
How were they?
Tim always plays so in the pocket. Love it.
Very cool, I have a photo I shot in 1974-76 or so with the walls of "Rio Grande" amps playing in Jacksonville, Florida
I'm just climbing into the sack at 2am. I never should have clipped on RUclips. Mr. Pierce, I need to go to bed! I need to put my Les Paul down...and stop playing BG! You are an evil instigator my friend.
he's not fast but he's great at playing the blues with a big grin on his face!
Your playing is awesome....Really enjoy it
Same here Tim, I learned Whiskey Mama in my first band in 1970
More gems - every video unlocks guitar gold! Thx Tim!!
Billy first caugh my ear when I heard Tush on the radio. But it was the Deguello album that really pulled me in. So much so, that I ended up forming a ZZ Top tribute band. It was a lot of fun learning Billy's licks. Sometimes his guitar playing makes me laugh- in a good way. Billy, if you're reading this, I've been getting paid to play your music steadily since 1984, so in addition to a most heartfelt "Thank You", I think I owe you some royalties. Get in touch and we'll work something out.
Deguello is ZZ at the top of their game. Straight ahead without the studio kitsch. Some of Beard’s drumming is amazing on that one as well.
G'day Tim, i love the way you play. Melody wins hands down. 🐨
Billy’s new album is pretty damn good
I enjoyed the simpler Riffing that you did. Well they weren't really simple they were just less notes with breathing time in between.Us guitar players often forget that soloing should be us saying our thing. When you dont come up for air you lose people attention. When you break down into sentences they can digest, they connect with you and want to hear more. You are incredible, btw!
I am a lifelong professional bassist and from Texas...I have always appreciated ZZ top and Billy...however Billy can't hold a candle to you brother! Keep up the great work...your playing is extremely tasteful. Hope we cross musical paths one day.