Tune In, Turn On
If you have an itch to experience that Little Ol’ Band from Texas, ZZ Top, then word of the Billy Gibbons Band coming to the Music Box at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa Saturday, Feb. 7, should come as great news.
Formed in 1969, the legendary, Texas-based blues-rock band saw modest success in the early 1970s, but hit the big time in 1983 with the release of “Eliminator,” a blockbuster album that included the mega hits “Legs,” “Sharp Dressed Man” and “Gimme All Your Lovin’.”
Born and raised in a musical family in Houston, Gibbons received an early introduction to rhythm and blues from a babysitter who took him along to clubs in the Fourth Ward. He started playing guitar at 14 and cut his teeth in garage bands and the psychedelic group The Moving Sidewalks before recruiting drummer Frank Beard and bassist Dusty Hill – both from the Dallas area – in pursuit of a blues-based power trio.
Gibbons is the longtime iconic guitarist from ZZ Top who now also fronts his own project called Billy F. Gibbons & The BFGs (sometimes The BFG Band), a dynamic ensemble that explores blues, rock and Afro-Cuban sounds, and also features famed drummer Chris “Whipper” Layton, formerly with the legendary trio Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, and organist Mike “The Drifter” Flanigin, showcasing Gibbons’ distinct tone, taste and tenacity outside of ZZ Top’s blues-rock sound.
On New Year’s Eve, Gibbons continued his annual all-star “Jungle Show” concert from Austin, assembling a once-a-year blues supergroup with Jimmie Vaughan, the aforementioned Mike Flanigin and Chris Layton, plus Sue Foley, which aired across the United States, the U.K. and around the world.
In a recent interview, Gibbons expressed his enthusiasm about his various musical projects outside of ZZ Top.
“The interesting escapades outside ZZ Top have enjoyed a variety of settings,” he told Texas Highways magazine. “Everything from participating with many admired fellow recording artists, from Queens of the Stone Age to Willie Nelson, Keith Richards and the great Chris Stapleton, as well as working with our exotic aggregation known as The Jungle Show. It’s a demanding getaway, yet it’s a constant groove.”
Asked what makes Texas music so special, Gibbons, 76 years young and in seemingly great shape, replied, “Texas music is lively and likable with a range of sonic expressions that know no bounds. Play them blues and play ’em L-O-U-D…!”
As for his musical influences, Gibbons replied: “Well, it’s more than fair to say my partners (the late ZZ Top bassist Dusty Hill, and ZZ Top drummer) Frank Beard top the list. We, as a band, seem to fall toward delivering interpretations of that great American art form ‘The Blues.’ And without question, the wave of originators of those expressions is many. Jimmy Reed, Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters and the endless list of that exquisite, long line of expressionists from the ’50s and ’60s.”
See the Billy Gibbons Band on stage at the Music Box at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, 1 Borgata Way in Atlantic City, 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7. Tickets start at $89.70.
Tune-Ups
Unsung Music Heroes of 2025, South Jersey edition, Part II: Our year-end column with the Dozen Unsung Music Heroes for 2025 received great response (thank you readers). Unfortunately we omitted one person whose name absolutely belongs on this list: Joe DeLuca. Joe once owned a recording studio and has recorded many a musician from Philly to the Jersey Shore. These days, he works the sound board for shows at Hard Rock Casino’s main rooms (great gig!) and manages the very engaging local Facebook page, AC To Cape May Music/Events, where he tirelessly promotes local events.
Doug is the owner/operator of Doug Deutsch Publicity Services, which since 1995 has been servicing nationally touring acts, and working record release campaigns for clients. Doug can be reached at ShoreLocalDoug@gmail.com
