Billy F. Gibbons: Rock + Roll Gearhead

by Billy F. Gibbons, Tom Vickers, David Perry (Photographer)

Imagine stepping out of an air-conditioned Kwik-E-Mart and into the hot summer sun, cold soda in hand, when a long-and-low baby blue ‘62 Chevy Impala slowly trolls into the parking lot. How about rolling to a stoplight in West Hollywood and spying a bearded motorist with an 8-ball logo on the louvered and striped hood of his BMW? There’s no mistaking the common thread in these remarkable scenarios—Billy F Gibbons, be-shaded axe-man extraordinaire from ZZ TOP and certified Texas Grade-A gearhead. As with many rockers, Gibbons’ jones for hot rods and customs is the stuff of legend. But beyond this bona fide bluesman’s mastery of the six-string and unrepentant love for internal combustion is a noted collector whose own designs have manifested themselves in his cars and in hundreds of mind-bending custom guitars. In Billy F Gibbons: Rock + Roll Gearhead, Gibbons riffs on his Texas youth, four-decade recording career, and life on the road, but also reveals the tales behind dozens of guitars, including the Famed Pearly Gates, the red Gretsch given to him by Bo Diddley, and the Muddywood guitar commissioned as a fundraiser for the Delta Blues Museum. Also profiled are 10 of Gibbons’ outstanding rods and customs, including Kopperhed, CadZZilla, and the Eliminator coupe. In addition to exclusive photography by Bay Area shooter David Perry, the book is illustrated with dozens of images from Gibbons’ personal archive.

Genres: Music, Biography, Cars

192 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2005

Reviews

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley to read and review.

BILLY F GIBBONS: ROCK + ROLL GEARHEAD by Billy and Tom Vickers (photographs by David Perry) is a beautiful presentation of the musical life of the legendary Texas guitarist from Z.Z. Top who has always remained true to his roots, and while his image is definitely a product of that, interviews with those that have known him throughout his career are quick to point out that his image only scratches the surface of who Billy really is, and his intelligence and attention to detail along with his insight are responsible for the quality of the guitar work, songwriting, and recording of the band’s albums.

Billy (or the Reverend Billy G. as he’s called by some) has put together this book that is presented in scrapbook form starting with his early career up to the present - and all points in between.

Fans of Billy and Z.Z. Top will find a treasure trove of information with photos on the history of the guitarist and the band over the years going back to the beginning, along with photos and captions by Billy himself, and the last part of the book shares beautiful photos of all the cars and guitars he’s famous for along with details on how they came to be and his personal involvement in their creation.

I can’t say enough good things about this book, and anyone who appreciates Billy and “that little ole’ band from Texas” along with all of the beautiful cars & guitars they are known for should snatch this up, and it would make a fine coffee table book for anyone’s collection.

5 stars.

[HornFan2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a advance PDF file copy of the newly expanded version of Billy F. Gibbons autobiography for my honest review. Thanks to net galley.com, Motorbooks and Billy F. Gibbons for the opportunity to read it.

I like it, just found it hard to read everything due to a formatting issue with the bluefire reader app and just ended up skimming through it. Not going to get negative over the issue I had reading it, with just flipping through it, just want to either purchase it in hardcover or get it as a ebook, when it's available on amazon.com.

Have always been a fan of ZZ Top, Billy's one of my favorite guitarists's and became fan more due to their older music verse some of the newer releases. Definitely if your a fan of the band you'll like this, even a collectable fan car or guitarist enthusiast will like this.

[Amy Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a fan of the Reverend Willy G. and ZZ Top so it's only natural for me to have this book. That said, I take everything the Rev. says with a grain of salt. There are some fun stories, most of them I've heard in one form or another. You aren't going to learn anything much about Billy Gibbons that you didn't already know (true or not). The guitars are beautiful and the cars are cool. Of course there are scantily-clad women but they don't do anything for me.

The text itself is written much like the Rev. speaks so if you don't dig his conversation, you won't dig this. To me, it's amusing. Gearheads will enjoy details and pictures about some of Billy's guitars. I understand the collection numbers into the thousands now so this is just is just a sampling.

Frankly, I felt the photography could have been better. Much better. There's missed opportunity with all those cool cars and one of the coolest cats on Earth in the same frame. But, maybe the Rev. likes his photography fuzzy too.

This book is what it is.

[Kaj Samuelsson · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a ZZ Top fan, this book was a must. Some parts I read several times before I finished the book. Trouble with my eyes made it hard to read though and therefor it took quite some time and new glasses before I finished it.
Nice pictures, cool cars and guitars.

[J Earl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Billy F Gibbons: Rock + Roll Gearhead is a combination of three books really, a short biography of BFG and the band, a look at some of his legendary car collection, and a glimpse at some of his also legendary guitar collection.

For me, this is a case of the sum being greater than the parts. I enjoyed the short bio/memoir section. It is short but is full of fun and interesting stories. If you've followed the band for close to 50 years you've likely heard most of it, but a nice walk down memory lane. Then the cars (and a motorcycle). If you were mostly interested in this part you may be a little disappointed. the pictures are nice but not particularly flashy. The short descriptions are kinda fun though. I did like that some of the pictures included interiors and engines instead of just the cool exteriors. Then the guitars. I think this section will appeal to guitarists more than the car section will appeal to gearheads, mainly because the photographs show the details of most of the guitars better than the car section does for the cars. The photography isn't over the top but there are some wonderful guitars here. If you want the unusual, they're here. If you want classic examples of older guitars, they're here.

Separately, each section might have registered as three stars for me. But having them together gave me just enough of a glimpse of how they connect and support each other that I like the overall book better. The book is nice enough to serve as a coffee table book, especially in a room where you might sit around with friends listening to music (do people still do that?).

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love music, especially Classic Rock and Roll. I have always loved the sound of ZZ Top, I can even sing a lot of their songs from start to finish, I'm no where as good as they are but I have fun. ZZ Top has a sound all their own and there is no mistaking whose song is playing on the radio when one comes on. They also have their own look. I also watched the show Bones and loved it when Billy F Gibbons made an appearance.

Over the years from interviews on TV, radio, and magazines I have learned some of the beginnings up until true fame of Billy F Gibbins and the rest of ZZ Top, how they got their start and when they sky rocketed up the charts to true Rock And Roll fame. This book has shown me on a personal level so much more then I ever knew or even thought about when it comes to this iconic man and band. It is filled with photo's that are just as mesmerizing as the story of Billy Gibbons.

If you love or even like ZZ Top or just Rock and Roll this is a terrific book. The story of Billy's life is fascinating.

[Dan Shonka · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun book as it is divided into three distinct parts--BFG's bio, his wicked cool hotrods and his slick guitar collection, many of which are custom made. Billy Gibbons is an artist with a guitar, any rock fan knows. But I was surprised by his artistic vision, especially with his hotrods. That he has artistic vision with guitars is less surprising, but it is still really cool to see what he has created (with help). It's also cool seeing the guitars he's collected and what each one possesses that BFG likes. Best of all, the budget didn't skimp on colorful photography. Billy's writing style is kinda funky, and I found his bio a little hard to read at first, until I got more accustomed to it. It's an excellent addition to my music legends library. ZZ Top! (I love most of their tracks, but LaGrange is still my favorite, no doubt.)

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every coffee table should include this thing.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Billy Gibbons is a national treasure :)

[Pablo Germán Zeballo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Calificar o hacer un análisis de una autobiografía: no hace falta. Uno la lee porque le interesa el personaje y quiere conocer algunas otras cosas.

El libro en inglés, relata en parte la historia (muy entretenidas algunas), en parte los autos (la parte menos interesante, aunque las fotos son buenisimas) y por último las guitarras (por las que llegué al libro y a Billy Gibbons), con buenos detalles, fotos brutales y anécdotas que completan la rica historia de este guitarrista.

[Britt Aamodt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guitar heaven

If you love guitars, if you love cars, if you love ZZ Top, kick back and go for a ride. Gibbons's writing has the drama of a rattlesnake. And there are more eye-catching pics in this book than there are handsome men in Texas. (And I think Texas does a good job in that category.)

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love the Reverend this is a must have coffee table style book. It is funny and informative. Firsthand writings from BFG are a real treat and add originality and insight nobody else could. True fans will delight but even casual rock and roll fans would appreciate this.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like cars and guitars pick this one up...

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Guitars, cars, long-legged womens, all in a gorgeously photographed volume. Lots o' fun when you want to turn the brain off and just look at some Texas eye candy.

[DJMikeG · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little light on content, but recommended for fans of ZZ Top.

[William]

Very cool cars, guitars and rock & roll stories.