The Greatest Guitarists Of All Time, Ranked

Published on February 5, 2020 By Mathew Cohen

35. Billy Gibbons

Gibbons’ firepower and raw passion was evident since his days performing in psychedelic garage band the Moving Sidewalks. With his talent being recognized from an early age, Gibbons was invited to play alongside his band at four Texas shows for the Jimi Hendrix Experience. Hendrix was so impressed by Gibbons’ impactful performance that he gifted him a pink Stratocaster.

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Since becoming the guitarist and lead singer of ZZ Top, Gibbons’ trademark long beard is not the only thing he has become famous for. With a playing style he calls, “spankin’ the plank”, Gibbons continues to deliver hard-hitting performances for ZZ Top, four decades on from when the group originally formed. Whether it’s the offbeat riffs in “Jesus Left Chicago” or the popping beat in “La Grange”, Gibbons’ passion can never be matched.