Billy F Gibbons

Rock + Roll Gearhead

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Pub Date 2 Jun 2020 | Archive Date 11 May 2020

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Description

Expanded for the occasion of ZZ Top’s 50th anniversary, Billy F Gibbons: Rock + Roll Gearhead throws wide Gibbons’ garage and studio doors for an exclusive look at his exquisite collection of cars and guitars.

Love cars, guitars, and ZZ Top? This visually stunning tour through this Grade-A Texas gearhead's weird, wild life, vintage and way-out custom guitars, and influential hot rods and custom cars is mandatory education.

From the near-mythical ’59 Les Paul sunburst known as “Pearly Gates” and the “Furry One” of MTV renown to cars like the Eliminator, CadZZilla, and Kopperhed, they’re all here—more than 60 guitars and 15 astounding vehicles, all expounded upon by BFG himself and shown in commissioned color and artistic black-and-white photography. Cars and guitars that have made their way to light since the book's first publication in 2005 are included:
 
Cars:
  • Mexican Blackbird 1958 Thunderbird
  • Quintana ’50 Ford Custom
  • El Camino Grocery-Getter custom
  • Whiskey Runner '34 Ford Coupe
  • ’51 Willys Wagon

Guitars:
  • Party Peelers John Bolin Customs
  • Neiman Marcus BFG SG
  • Nacho Telecaster
  • John Bolin "Think Buck" T-style
  • Mexican Blackbird solidbody
  • Mojo Maker
  • Tone Bender
  • Zemaitis custom
  • Marconi Lab Guitar
  • 1929 Dixie Ukelele
  • 1939 Rickenbacker Frying Pan
…and more!

While BFG’s cars ’n’ guitars are the stuff of legend, no less intriguing are the tales behind his incredible music career. From teenage Houston garage rocker to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the whole story is between these covers, told in the Good Reverend Willie G’s own words and illustrated with photos and memorabilia from his personal archive.

As with many rockers, Billy F 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 hundreds of mind-bending cars and guitars. This is the definitive and official record of that genius.
Expanded for the occasion of ZZ Top’s 50th anniversary, Billy F Gibbons: Rock + Roll Gearhead throws wide Gibbons’ garage and studio doors for an exclusive look at his exquisite collection of cars...

Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9780760367971
PRICE US$50.00 (USD)
PAGES 224

Average rating from 8 members


Featured Reviews

I wanted to read this so bad! I do not have a way to open the file, even on my computer, I cannot get Overdrive, without a chromebook, and the only tablet I have is the Kindle. I really wish i could read this. It looked so fun! I wanted to post a review anyway, but it is hard when I have not really read it.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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