Is Billy Gibbons a good guitarist?
Gibbons was born in the Tanglewood neighbourhood of Houston, Texas, to Frederick Royal (“Freddie”) and Lorraine (née Duffy) Gibbons. His father was an entertainer, orchestra conductor, and concert pianist who worked at MGM Studios for Samuel Goldwyn alongside his second cousin, art director Cedric Gibbons. When Gibbons was five years old, his mother took him…
Gibbons was born in the Tanglewood neighbourhood of Houston, Texas, to Frederick Royal (“Freddie”) and Lorraine (née Duffy) Gibbons. His father was an entertainer, orchestra conductor, and concert pianist who worked at MGM Studios for Samuel Goldwyn alongside his second cousin, art director Cedric Gibbons. When Gibbons was five years old, his mother took him and his sister to see Elvis Presley. Gibbons’ father took him to a BB King recording session when he was seven. Originally a percussionist, Gibbons was sent to New York City by his father to study with Tito Puente.
After his 13th birthday in 1962, Gibbons received his first electric guitar, a sunburst Gibson Melody Maker accompanied by a Fender Champ amplifier, and was influenced by guitarists such as Jimmy Reed. While attending Warner Brothers’ art school in Hollywood, California, Gibbons formed his first bands, including the Saints, Billy G & the Blueflames, and the Coachmen. By the age of 18, Gibbons had formed an artfully designed band, the Moving Sidewalks, inspired by friend and fellow musician Roky Erickson and the 13th Floor Elevators, penning the hit single “99th Floor,” and forming a friendship with Jimi Hendrix.
Is Billy Gibbons a good guitarist?
Billy Gibbons is a classic blues guitarist as well as a rock innovator. That is an unmistakable sign of greatness.
