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Billy Gibbons

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ZZ TOP's BILLY GIBBONS To Be Joined By MATT SORUM For June/July 2023 European Tour

ZZ TOP 's Billy Gibbons has announced the renewal of his livewire solo band, to appear at select European venues late spring and early summer of 2023. The trio is headed by Gibbons on guitar and vocals, with drummer Matt Sorum ( THE CULT , GUNS N' ROSES , VELVET REVOLVER ) and lefty guitarist Austin Hanks , who has worked with Gibbons previously, providing the heavy bottom and rhythm for the ensemble.

The new tour brings Billy and company to 12 countries with 20 performance dates during the four-week span starting June 10 in Sölvesborg, Sweden.

Tickets go on sale this Friday, January 27.

"The Big One – Part 1" 2023 tour dates:

June 10 - Sölvesborg, Sweden @ Sweden Rock Fest. June 12 - Tampere, Finland @ Tampere Hall June 13 - Helsinki Finland @ House of Culture June 15 - Oslo, Norway @ Sentrum Scene June 17 - Copenhagen, Denmark @ Copenhell Festival June 19 - Hamburg, Germany @ Grosse Freiheit June 20 - Frankfurt, Germany @ Batschkapp June 21 - Nurenburg, Germany @ Lowensaal June 23 - Leipzig, Germany @ Parkbuhne June 24 - Cologne, Germany @ E-Werk June 25 - Winterbach, Germany @ Salier Halle June 26 - Praha, Czech Rep.@O2 Universium June 28 - Vienna, Austria @ Gasometer June 29 - Zurich, Switzerland @ Volkshaus July 02 - London, UK @ O2 Shepard's Bush Empire July 03 - Birmingham, UK @ Birmingham O2 Institute July 05 - Albi, France @ Festival Pause Guitare July 06 - Paris, France @ Olympia July 09 - Weert, Netherlands @ Bospop Festival July 11 - Bournemouth, UK @ O2 Academy Bournemouth

When one thinks of the most influential rock musicians on the planet, Gibbons is a name that should come to the forefront of any such list. Before becoming one of rock's most recognizable figures, Billy and his first band MOVING SIDEWALKS gained recognition by opening up for THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE on their first-ever headline tour. On that tour, Jimi himself taught a 17-year-old Billy how to play the opening lick to "Foxy Lady" , a story that he recounts onstage to this very day. In 1969, Billy met bassist Dusty Hill and drummer Frank Beard to form the classic lineup of boogie and blues rock mainstays ZZ TOP . ZZ TOP released "ZZ Top's First Album" in 1971. The albums that followed, "Rio Grande Mud" (1972) and "Tres Hombres" (1973),along with extensive touring, solidified the group's reputation as a hard-rocking power trio. In the 1980s, ZZ TOP released their three biggest-selling albums: "Eliminator" (1983), "Afterburner" (1985) and "Recycler" (1990). The band found great success through the ever-shifting landscape of music by embracing emerging styles of the times, incorporating elements of synth-rock, punk, and new wave into their newer material. The group not only secured six No. 1 singles, but also won countless MTV Music Video Awards for songs like "Legs" and "Sharp Dressed Man" . Gibbons was ranked at number 32 on the 2011 Rolling Stone list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists Of All Time". ZZ TOP was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2004.

Aside from his work in ZZ TOP , Gibbons has collaborated with a slew of rock and blues heavyweights, including QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE , Buddy Guy , Jimmie Vaughan and Jack White . His latest solo album "Hardware" (2021) is out now via Concord Records .

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Rock And Roll Garage

Billy gibbons announce 2023 solo tour dates.

The legendary ZZ Top co-founder, vocalist and guitarist Billy Gibbons announced new solo tour dates for 2023. The dates are scheduled for Europe next June and July. He will be accompanied by Matt Sorum (Drums) and Austin Hanks (Guitar).

The trio will perform in Sweden, Finland, Noway, Denmark, Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, United Kingdom, France and Netherlands.

Gibbons released his first solo album in 2015 called “Perfectamundo”, then in 2018 he recorded “The Big Bad Blues” and the most recent one is “Hardware” (2021).

“The recent run with ZZ was a grand time and we thought to take the energy with our alter ego to ‘get down’ all the way around. That’s THIS tour…! We’re really cooking and looking to bring the BFG experience forward to all our friends in Europe and the UK. See you soon!” Billy Gibbons said in an official statement.

Next February, April, July, August and September will be on the road with ZZ Top.

• 10 – Sölvesborg, Sweden – Sweden Rock Fest.
• 12 – Tampere, Finland – Tampere Hall
• 13 – Helsinki Finland – House of Culture
• 15 – Oslo, Norway – Sentrum Scene
• 17 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Copenhell Festival
• 19 – Hamburg, Germany – Grosse Freiheit
• 20 – Frankfurt, Germany – Batschkapp
• 21 – Nurenburg, Germany – Lowensaal
• 23 – Leipzig, Germany – Parkbuhne
• 24 – Cologne, Germany – E-Werk
• 25 – Winterbach, Germany – Salier Halle
• 26 – Praha, Czech Rep. -O2 Universium
• 28 – Vienna, Austria – Gasometer
• 29 – Zurich, Switzerland – Volkshaus
• 2 – London, UK – O2 Shepard’s Bush Empire
• 3 – Birmingham, UK – Birmingham O2 Institute
• 5 – Albi, France – Festival Pause Guitare
• 6 – Paris, France – Olympia
• 9 – Weert, Netherlands – Bospop Festival
• 11 – Bournemouth, UK – O2 Academy Bournemouth

I'm a Brazilian journalist who always loved Classic Rock and Heavy Metal music. That passion inspired me to create Rock and Roll Garage over 6 years ago. Music has always been a part of my life, helping me through tough times and being a support to celebrate the good ones. When I became a journalist, I knew I wanted to write about my passions. After graduating in journalism from the Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais, I pursued a postgraduate degree in digital communication at the same institution. The studies and experience in the field helped me improve the website and always bring the best of classic rock to the world! MTB: 0021377/MG

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Billy Gibbons Kicks Off ‘The Big Bad Blues’ Tour: Video, Set List

Billy Gibbons kicked off his The Big Bad Blues Tour  last weekend, supporting his sophomore solo album of the same name with a brand new band featuring former Guns N' Roses drummer Matt Sorum.

As opposed to the large, Cuban-influenced group the ZZ Top frontman brought on tour with him in support of his 2015 solo debut album  Perfectamundo , most of his show last night in Columbus, Ohio, found Gibbons and the impressively powerful Sorum joined by only second guitarist and singer  Austin Hanks . Elwood Francis added harmonica on a handful of tracks.

The set list was heavily peppered with both familiar and surprising covers, including "I Thank You," the excellent version of Bo Diddley's "Bring It to Jerome" included on The Big Bad Blues and a particularly fast-paced take on "Route 66."

You can see the set list and video from the show below.

The Big Bad Blues tour continues tonight in St. Louis, Mo., and is set to conclude on Dec. 29 in Austin. You can get complete date and venue information at Gibbons' official website .

Billy Gibbons, 10/17/18, Columbus, Ohio 1. "Rollin' and Tumblin'" 2. "Treat Her Right" 3. "Missin' Yo' Kissin'" 4. "I Thank You" 5. "Jesus Just Left Chicago" 6. "I Like It Like That" 7. "Hollywood 151" 8. "Rising Water Blues" (vocals by Austin Hanks) 9. "Bring it to Jerome" 10. "Just Got Paid" 11. "I Got Love If You Want It" 12. "Blue Jean Blues" 13. "Route 66" 14. "Let's Go, Let's Go, Let's Go" 15. "Thunderbird" 16. "Sharp Dressed Man" encore: 17. "Whole Lotta Love" 18. "La Grange"

Watch Billy Gibbons Play 'Rollin' and Tumblin''

Watch Billy Gibbons Play 'Whole Lotta Love' and 'La Grange'

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The moving sidewalks: where the british invasion met texas blues.

Before ZZ Top, Billy Gibbons (second from right) was in the more psychedelic Moving Sidewalks. Rancho Deluxe Productions hide caption

Before ZZ Top, Billy Gibbons (second from right) was in the more psychedelic Moving Sidewalks.

There must be something in the water — or the beer — in Texas that caused the huge eruption of garage bands and psychedelic bands in the mid-1960s, because there sure were a lot of them, and their records on obscure labels have kept collectors busy for decades. Most of them were amateurs, but the Coachmen, who came together around 1964, were different.

Billy Gibbons had grown up in Houston as the son of top society orchestra leader Fred Gibbons, and had watched his father deal with getting and playing jobs, and with musicians. By the time Billy was 14, he'd put together a band, the Saints, to try to play the blues he heard on Houston's black station, KCOH.

From there it was Billy G and the Ten Blue Flames, and then came the Coachmen. They were no different from a lot of bands of the day, playing parties, school dances and the occasional teen club, and their repertoire moved between hits of the day and the blues Billy was so intent on exploring. In April 1966, they recorded a couple of tunes, originals that went over well at their gigs.

The song "99th Floor" was their rave-up number, but nothing happened to the tape, and the band broke up. Drummer Dan Mitchell stuck with Billy, though, and a new band, the Moving Sidewalks, emerged. Their approach was different: They'd been listening to English bands and the few recordings leaking out of San Francisco. Then the biggest surprise of all: From Austin, virtually next door, came a band called the 13th Floor Elevators who were not only writing and performing top-quality material, but also had been playing the ballrooms in San Francisco as equals to the local bands there. That just made Billy set his sights higher for the Moving Sidewalks, and early in 1967, they recorded a new version of "99th Floor" for a local label, Tantara, and Houston radio jumped on it immediately.

More On Billy Gibbons and ZZ Top

ZZ Top: Taking The Blues Back To The Future

It was the top record in Houston almost immediately, and was selling so fast that Tantara leased it to Scepter/Wand, a New York label that had the Kingsmen, the Shirelles and Dionne Warwick . The band was touring regionally with top bands, and it was time for another single. Billy was happy to comply, with the song "Need Me." Again, this did well locally, and as 1968 dawned, the band was tapped to open four shows by an American guy who'd gone to England and become famous. Meeting Jimi Hendrix changed Billy Gibbons' life — and his music.

Hanging out with Hendrix's drummer, Mitch Mitchell, had an effect on the Sidewalks' drummer, Dan Mitchell, too. But by the time the song "I Want to Hold Your Hand" was recorded, the Moving Sidewalks had had a couple of problems. They'd been asked to go on a national tour opening for the Doors , but in Dallas, the band, which loved to set off pyrotechnics, overdid the flash powder and set the Doors' equipment on fire. There went that tour. And Scepter didn't see any reason to release a new version of an old Beatles tune, so they were back on Tantara. They'd been recording an album in bits and pieces, but for some reason, it wasn't getting released.

In fact, it didn't get released until late 2012, and, as you might guess, it's very much a period piece, albeit a very well-made one. There's a seven-minute track called "Joe Blues" on it that definitely points to the future.

The band threw their equipment in a trailer and drove out to California and hung out in Los Angeles digging the Sunset Strip scene. They didn't get any gigs out of it, and returned to Houston, where they found that Tantara still hadn't released their album. The band drifted apart and played their last gig as the Moving Sidewalks on July 4, 1969, after which they went their separate ways. As for Dan Mitchell and Billy Gibbons, they began to form a new band that would eventually become ZZ Top , less psychedelic, more bluesy. But in Houston, people of a certain age still remember the Moving Sidewalks.

Billy Gibbons

Latest setlist, billy gibbons on february 25, 2024.

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ZZ Top comes to Melbourne: 'You can't lose with the blues'

Legendary band zz top brings "the elevation tour" to the king center in melbourne on march 6. we got the scoop from singer billy gibbons..

With over 50 years in music under their belt, legendary rock/blues/boogie band ZZ Top brings their iconic sound to the King Center for the Performing Arts on Wednesday, March 6 in a concert presented by AEG. With an extensive catalog of music that includes hits like "La Grange," "Gimme All Your Lovin'," "Sharp Dressed Man," "Legs," "Cheap Sunglasses" and many more, ZZ Top delivers an unforgettable live rock experience.

I interviewed legendary vocalist and guitarist Billy Gibbons about the band’s longevity, his approach to music and the band's future. Let’s “Shake, Rattle & Know”:  ZZ Top.

Question: Not many bands have had the combination of longevity and success of ZZ Top. What do you feel it is about your sound that has allowed the band to have that kind of multi-generational career?

Answer: The root of it all seems to remain with that great American art form which is stridently, "blue." It’s a sound of heartbeat biorhythms which humankind inherited in common. Makes accessing what ZZ does a function of nature. We’ve long said, “You can’t lose with the blues.” Plus, we play pretty loud.

Looking for more to do? 60+ fun things to do in Brevard in March, from outdoor festivals to St. Patrick's Day

Q: You have worked with some of the most legendary musicians of all time including Tito Puente, Les Paul, Jimi Hendrix and more. What is the best piece of advice another musician ever gave you throughout your musical journey?

A: " Play what you want to hear." That’s it. First and foremost is pleasing one’s inner and outer self. Doing just that, chances are pretty good others will dig what’s going down.

Q : If you had to pay to see a concert, who would you choose to see and why?

A: Something from the past, I’d see Jimi Hendrix again. Jimi was an enthralling innovator and a really nice guy. Today? Why not the Rolling Stones? Seeing Keith and Mick mixing it up is always a good time.

Q : You had been with Dusty Hill for so long, how hard was it to continue after his passing? Was there ever a time that you considered ending the band with his passing?

A : The gift is our main man, Elwood Francis, whom Dusty was very fond of, accepting taking up the bottom of the top. It’s a sonic blast and the show rocks on.

Q : What is your typical approach to songwriting? Does it start with the lyrics, the melody, the music or what is the process for you?

A: Rarely typical from the start, yet from that entry, anything goes! With a pickup phrase or chance title line in mind, gimme a backbeat and together it just might make it while the clock strikes twelve. 

Q : You also release music as a solo artist. Is your approach to solo work different than how you approach music for the band ZZ Top?

A:   Yes, in some stratospheric regard it is. For Billy F Gibbons and The BFGs, we kind of cast a wide net and aim for that something intriguing to deliver. For ZZ Top, we must ponder: “What would ZZ Top do?" It really is two things while sharing an element in common.

Q : I. along with most people who grew up in the '80s, grew to love ZZ Top because of their iconic music videos.  What was your favorite video to film and how much input did the band have in their concept and development?

A: Most assuredly, "Sharp Dressed Man" as it's loaded with all the fave-rave elements like that car, the girls, “the kid” and us serving as de facto Greek chorus. Plus, it takes place in a night club. Swanky!

Q : What’s next for both ZZ Top and Billy Gibbons, either collectively or independently ?

A: We’re gonna keep on keepin’ on. ZZ is on a tour tear these days and we’re having a good time playing with generations of friends, fans, and followers. BFG is thinking constantly of what recording might continue pressing the string of left field stuff that begins with, “Hit it, don’t quit it!”

ZZ Top: The Elevation Tour

When: Wednesday March 6 at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Where: The King Center, 3865 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne

Tickets: Start at $54.50

Info: 321-242-2219

Website: kingcenter.com or zztop.com

If you have an artist or band you’d like to recommend for review, contact Nunez at [email protected] or on X @srkmusicflorida .

Whether you're interested in music, theater, festivals or other local entertainment, FLORIDA TODAY has got you covered. Support local journalism by subscribing at  Special Offers - USAToday Network .

Billy Gibbons has an unfinished song he wrote with Jeff Beck called Chocolate Meatballs

Billy Gibbons reflects on his solo shows, life without Dusty Hill, and new life with Elwood Francis

ZZ Top ’s perennially bearded vocalist and guitarist Billy Gibbons is currently treading the boards in Europe as part of The Big One, Part 1, a series of solo dates in promotion of his third and latest extracurricular release, 2021’s Hardware . 

The tour visits the UK twice, with dates in London and Birmingham lined up for the first week of July, and a final show in the blues hotbed of Bournemouth on July 11. 

Below, Billy Gibbons reflects on these solo shows, life without Dusty Hill, and his memories of his great friend, the late guitarist and chocoholic Jeff Beck.  

How recently did you begin performing solo gigs away from ZZ Top? 

It all started with an invitation to play at the famous Havana Jazz Festival [in 2015]. I said: “Gee, I don’t want to crash a jazz festival with a rock’n’roll party.” We were so curious, it led us to recording a few songs in that style as an experiment, and then down a path to the Afro-Cuban-inspired [solo debut] Perfectamundo [released that same year by Gibbons and his band the BFGs]. We might have never gone in that direction had I not received the phone call. 

After more than fifty years of working with the same two guys in ZZ Top – drummer Frank Beard and bassist/vocalist Dusty Hill – stepping away must bring some sense of liberation. 

Oh yeah, it was quite a reward. [Drummer] Matt Sorum is famous for playing with Guns N’ Roses , Velvet Revolver and The Cult , and we’ve also got our good buddy Mr Austin Hanks, who plays [his bass guitar] upside down, backwards and left-handed. Watching him, he’s like Jimi Hendrix and Albert King on acid. 

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Back in the nineties, Austin Hanks was a member of the great but sadly overlooked band Slick Lilly. 

Yes indeed, Slick Lilly. That was a good one. 

The reviews of your three solo records were all very positive. Given that you are doing precisely what you want, that must double the reward?  

That’s the high card, the big twist; we don’t have to do anything, but we get to do things. In fact, I’m meeting Matt and Austin later this evening and chances are we’ll have a couple of new tracks ready for release, maybe even before we come to see you in the summer. I really like working with those guys. What I’m doing will always be blues, but they help me to paint a picture towards a new direction.

On this tour should we expect mainly solo albums tunes, plus some ZZ and a few covers?  

It’ll be a little bit of this and a little bit of that… something old, something new and a lot that’s blues. 

When your long-time ZZ Top bandmate Dusty Hill passed away in 2021 it must have been like losing a member of the family . 

Oh yeah. Dusty was a great guy, a swell singer. He provided a solid platform for me to solo without having to look back. He was always on it. Dusty used to say: “If I’m late to the stage, be sure to give my guitar to Elwood [Francis, Hill’s roadie].” Elwood is a family member; he’s been with us for three decades. 

And sure enough, Elwood picked up the parts and pieces [to replace Hill in ZZ Top]. But whereas Dusty played with his fingers, Elwood uses a pick. It’s a little sharper. He brings a little more finesse. And at the first rehearsal he showed up with a full beard longer than mine. 

ZZ Top, with Elwood on board, performed just days after Dusty’s passing. Do you understand why some people found it hard to get their head around that? 

Well, there was a lot of curiosity: “What’s this going to be like?” “Can this guy hold up the bottom of The Top?” In a trio it’s a big challenge. Everything has to be working at a hundred and ten per cent. But Elwood was ready, having been a part of it for so long.

And Dusty had made it clear that he wanted the band should continue without him if necessary.  

Yes he did. He said: “The show must go on.” That was his wish, and we granted it. 

By the time this story is online you will have played at the two tribute shows to your late friend Jeff Beck. Do you have a favourite anecdote about Jeff? 

\We played with Jeff last November. Jeff is a chocoholic, and while out grocery shopping the lovely Gilligan Gibbons [Billy’s wife] spotted a box of chocolate malt balls which we bought for Jeff, who mistook them for chocolate meatballs. We had a big laugh, and I suggested we write a song called Chocolate Meatballs. We got a half of it done. You’ve reminded me that it needs to be finished. Maybe tonight in the studio with Matt and Austin. 

Two years ago you said things were “getting pretty warmed up” for a new ZZ Top album. 

Are things coming to the boil yet? Yeah, in fact we are currently reviewing the tracks that deserve completion. Dusty is on some of those, so is Elwood. What’s fascinating is that we have three or four tracks with them both, they’re trading off. The only tell-tale difference is that Dusty, playing with his fingers, sounds a little warmer. 

Might it be released this year?  

I would hope so, but we’ve got lots of road work ahead, including a summer [US] tour with Lynyrd Skynyrd , who despite the recent passing of Mr Rossington are ready to carry on. That will be a tribute to Gary.

Billy Gibbons: The Big One Tour 2023

Jun 28: Vienna Gasometer, Austria Jun 29: Zurich Volkshaus, Switzerland Jul 02: London O2 Shepard's Bush Empire, UK Jul 03: Birmingham O2 Institute Birmingham, UK Jul 05: Albi Festival Pause Guitare, France Jul 06: Paris Olympia, France Jul 08: Brussels Cirque Royal, Belgium Jul 09: Weert Bospop Festival, Netherlands Jul 11: Bournemouth O2 Academy Bournemouth, UK

Tickets are on sale now .

Dave Ling was a co-founder of Classic Rock magazine. His words have appeared in a variety of music publications, including RAW, Kerrang!, Metal Hammer, Prog, Rock Candy, Fireworks and Sounds. Dave’s life was shaped in 1974 through the purchase of a copy of Sweet’s album ‘Sweet Fanny Adams’, along with early gig experiences from Status Quo, Rush, Iron Maiden, AC/DC, Yes and Queen. As a lifelong season ticket holder of Crystal Palace FC, he is completely incapable of uttering the word ‘Br***ton’.

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EXCLUSIVE: Billy Gibbons Talks First Solo Tour, New ZZ Top Music, More

The legendary guitarist is showing no signs of slowing down

ZZ Top are undoubtedly one of the great bands to ever rock the earth. Throughout a career that spans nearly five decades, the little trio from Texas have infused elements of new wave, punk, and synth-pop into their bluesy riff-rock. Now, frontman Billy Gibbons is continuing to be progressive on his debut solo album  Perfectamundo . The disc is a departure from the signature ZZ Top sound. With his band The BFGs behind him, the guitar god has soaked his solo outing with Afro-Cuban grooves and saucy blues. As Billy and the BFGs wrap up their first-ever tour on Saturday at the Sherman Theater in Stroudsburg, PA, we got a chance to chat with Billy about the pursuit of  Perfectamundo , the tour, and more.

What was the experience like embarking on your first-ever solo tour?

Decidedly different. Unlike going on the road for more than 4 decades with the same cats,  this outing is a whole new ball of wax. The transition from rock band to Afro-Cuban blues group is an experience that generates a lot of brainstorming making for a cool groove.

You really branched out and expanded your sound, incorporating some new musical elements on this record. How has the response been from the fans?

The response is acceptably fine. Everybody knows they’re seeing “Billy Gibbons & The BFG’s” which is very different than seeing ZZ Top. A very low down, smoky club setting brings the new outfit into focus setting this Cubano thing into motion. Although new, the album, ‘Perfectamundo’ sounds somehow familiar with those who’ve taken the plunge with us into uncharted territory.

Were the new styles explored intentionally to separate the album from the classic ZZ Top style, or was it just the way the record unravelled?

I believe it’s the other way around. We aimed at going toward a distinct Afro-Cuban sound.  The recordings came together very organically and cohesively. The performances in Havana brought it all together.

As a songwriter, was it a breath of fresh air to write a solo album and do something different?

Yes, this excursion is something else. We kept a radically different mindset throughout the studio sessions. It opened the doors with a rhythmically new sonic horizon. 

What has it been like bringing these new songs to life on stage with the BFGs?

There’s an element of uncertainty and suspense when we put ‘em down on stage and at the same time, that latin backing holds the beat with a solid pick ‘em up. 

I know ZZ Top has some extensive touring coming up this spring and summer, but do you plan to play any more solo dates this year or possibly in 2017?

Of course! Let’s also take in that the ZZ Top party trains heats up in March steaming through the summer and fall so another solo “something” be it more Cubano, something bluesy, or even the extremes of electronica can get underway. 

We’re quickly coming up on the 4-year mark of La Futura . Can you comment at this time on when fans will see a new ZZ Top album?

Has it been that long? Seems like only yesterday!  Then again, we spend every waking moment off road in the studio where time stands still. Send us a smoke signal when ready and we’ll let something new hit the streets. Rock on!

ZZ Top have been rocking strong for nearly 50 years together. The band formed in Houston, TX in 1969 and released their debut album in 1971. To date, the band has released 15 studio albums that have produced countless hit rock anthems. From 1983-1990, ZZ Top enjoyed their greatest commercial success. The band released three albums in this span –  Eliminator, Afterburner , and  Recycler  – all of which debuted in the Top 10 on the Billboard Top 200. The band’s music videos for “Legs”, “Rough Boy”, and“Sharp Dressed Man” all garnered MTV Video Music Awards for the band. With 13 multi-platinum albums, 1 diamond album, and over 25 million albums sold in the U.S. alone, ZZ Top were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004.

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• December 19, 2023 Setlist

Billy Gibbons Setlist at Troubadour, West Hollywood, CA, USA

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• Jesus Just Left Chicago by ZZ Top
• La Grange by ZZ Top
• Sharp Dressed Man by ZZ Top
• Thunderbird by ZZ Top
• Waitin' for the Bus by ZZ Top

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Billy gibbons gig timeline.

• Dec 03 2023 Heritage Hall Ardmore, OK, USA Start time: 9:10 PM 9:10 PM
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BILLY GIBBONS SETS JUNE/JULY EUROPEAN TOUR DATES

January 24, 2023

                BILLY GIBBONS SETS JUNE/JULY EUROPEAN TOUR DATES

Billy F Gibbons announced the renewal of his livewire solo band, to appear at select European venues late spring and early summer of 2023.  The trio, headed by Gibbons on guitar and vocals, drummer Matt Sorum (The Cult, Guns ‘N’ Roses, Velvet Revolver) and lefty guitarist, Mr. Austin Hanks, who has worked with Gibbons previously, providing the heavy bottom and rhythm for the ensemble. 

Gibbons who has fronted ZZ Top for more than a half century and has, in recent years, simultaneously enjoyed his solo sonic explorations with three critically lauded and commercially successful record albums. They are the Afro-Cuban flavored “ Perfectamundo ", released in 2015, 2018’s blues-rooted “ The Big Bad Blues " and 2021’s acclaimed “ Hardware ”.  Gibbons' roadshow took to the trail with both  Perfectamundo  and  The Big Bad Blues  and now brings it all on for the new 2023 season.

The new tour brings Billy G and company to 12 countries with 20 performance dates during the four-week span starting June 10 in Solvesborg, Sweden.  The concert and festival dates are booked in Finland, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, UK, France, Belgium and concluding July 9 at the Bospop Festival in Wert, Netherlands. 

Billy F Gibbons commented, “The recent run with ZZ was a grand time and we thought to take the energy with our alter ego to ‘get down’ all the way around. That’s THIS tour…!  We’re really cooking and looking to bring the BFG experience forward to all our friends in Europe and the UK. See you soon!” 

Billy F Gibbons:  The Big One – Part 1 - ’23 Tour dates:  ‍

June 10                   Solvesborg, Sweden / Sweden Rock Fest.

June 12                   Tampere, Finland / Tampere Hall

June 13                   Helsinki Finland / House of Culture

June 15                 Oslo, Norway / Sentrum Scene

June 17                 Copenhagen, Denmark / Copenhell Festival

June 19                 Hamburg, Germany / Grosse Freiheit

June 20                 Frankfurt, Germany / Batschkapp

June 21                 Nurenburg, Germany / Lowensaal

June 23                 Leipzig, Germany / Parkbuhne

June 24                 Cologne, Germany / E-Werk

June 25                 Winterbach, Germany / Salier Halle

June 26                 Praha, Czech Rep. /O2 Universium

June 28                 Vienna, Austria / Gasometer

June 29                 Zurich, Switzerland / Volkshaus

July 2                    London, UK / O2 Shepard's Bush Empire

July 3                    Birmingham, UK / O2 Institute Birmingham

July 5                    Albi, France / Festival Pause Guitare

July 6                    Paris, France / Olympia

July 9                    Wert, Netherlands / Bospop Festival

July 11       Bournemouth, UK / O2 Academy Bournemouth

www.billygibbons.com   https://www.facebook.com/BillyFGibbonsOfficial/   https://twitter.com/billyfgibbons

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The ZZ Top frontman will be joined by bassist Austin Hanks and former Guns N’ Roses drummer Matt Sorum for the dates.

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ZZ Top frontman Billy F Gibbons is coming to the UK and Europe this coming summer for a run of festival appearances and headline shows.

The gigs will see the legendary guitarist fronting a ‘power trio’ also featuring Austin Hanks and former Guns N’ Roses , The Cult and Velvet Revolver drummer Matt Sorum, who played on Gibbons’ recent solo album, Hardware . The group will visit 12 countries on their 20 shows, launching the trek on June 10 at the Sweden Rock Festival.

Gibbons is one of a long list of rock legends guesting on the forthcoming album from Ian Hunter. The star-studded Defiance Part 1 album will features appearances from Ringo Starr , Guns N’ Roses duo Slash and Duff McKagan, Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott, film star/Hollywood Vampires guitarist Johnny Depp, Stone Temple Pilots trio Dean DeLeo, Robert DeLeo and Eric Kretz, Aerosmith’s Brad Whitford, and the late Jeff Beck and Taylor Hawkins among others. Gibbons appears on a song titled “Kiss N’Make Up” alongside Hawkins and actor/musician Billy Bob Thornton.

How Aerosmith Reclaimed The Rock Crown With ‘Get A Grip’

The ZZ Top maestro released his third solo album, Hardware , on June 4 last year, through Concord Records. Hardware was produced by Gibbons with Matt Sorum and Mike Fiorentino with additional production by engineer Chad Shlosser. It was the follow up to Gibbons’ second solo release for Concord, The Big Bad Blues , which came out in 2018 and won the Blues Foundation’s Blues Music Award.

Buy or stream Hardware .

Billy F Gibbons will play the following UK and European shows in 2023:

Jun 10: Sweden Rock Festival, Sölvesborg, SWE Jun 12: Tampere, Finland @ Tampere Hall, FIN Jun 13: Helsinki House of Culture, FIN Jun 15: Oslo Sentrum Scene, NOR Jun 17: Copenhell Festival, Copenhagen, DEN Jun 19: Hamburg Grosse Freiheit, GER Jun 20: Frankfurt Batschkapp, GER Jun 21: Nurenburg Lowensaal, GER Jun 23: Leipzig Parkbuhne, GER Jun 24: Cologne E-Werk, GER Jun 25: Winterbach Salier Halle, GER Jun 26: Praha O2 Universium, CZE Jun 28: Vienna Gasometer, AUS Jun 29: Zurich Volkshaus, SWI Jul 02: London O2 Shepard’s Bush Empire, UK Jul 03: Birmingham O2 Institute, UK Jul 05: Festival Pause Guitare, Albi, FRA Jul 06: Paris Olympia, FRA Jul 09: Bospop Festival, Weert, HOL Jul 11: Bournemouth, O2 Academy, UK.

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ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons on ‘the Waterworks Coming and Going’ After Dusty Hill’s Sudden Death — and Why Band Will Go On

By Chris Willman

Chris Willman

Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic

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That little ol’ band from Texas is now, sadly, littler. Dusty Hill , one-third of ZZ Top for the last 51 years, was revealed Wednesday to have died of indeterminate causes. On Thursday, remaining members Billy Gibbons announced that the tour they just began would resume Friday after a brief lull, with their guitar tech of three decades filling in. A funeral is expected to take place next week, but it’s perhaps not surprising that the survivors would work through their grief by wrapping some of their scheduled road dates around a memorial that will represent friends’ and family’s last chance to see Hill as a sharp-dressed man.

Variety caught up with Gibbons on the band’s touring coach Thursday afternoon, where he laughed as he recalled Hill and his “fierce” right hand on the bass… while also allowing, in about as sentiment-laden a fashion as ZZ Top is going to get, that “the waterworks” had set in some since they got news of Hill’s unexpected death.

Says Gibbons: “Passing through the grieving process, I can tell you it’s no less than anyone else that loses a good friend or a close associate. And at the same time, knowing that this came up so suddenly — going to bed and not waking up… That was the luck of the draw. He was in, and he was out.”

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VARIETY: Was it just the first two dates of the tour that Dusty did with you, before he had to leave?

He did the first two. And then he requested dismissing himself. He said, “Yeah, let me go check this out.” And of course I said, “Hey, man, health is number one. Go do your thing.” And I could tell through those first two valiant attempts, if he’s not giving it 110%, he was the first one to kind of say, “Gee whiz. Let’s go take care of this.”

So it wasn’t anything where you had partly expected it or thought, boy, he’s seriously ill, and he might have a real problem on his hands?

Well, it’s no secret that over the past few years he had a pretty rough go with a broken shoulder, followed with a broken hip. And he had some problems with some ulcers. So he’s been kind of tiptoeing through keeping himself ship-shape, best he could. But I think that this was a real challenge. And by throwing in the towel, it might’ve caught up with him. Who knows? I’m just glad he’s in a good spot.

Is there an official cause of death now, or is it just he really fell asleep and didn’t wake up, and people don’t know?

That’s about all they can determine. Let’s face it, you don’t necessarily pass away from a broken shoulder or broken hip. Although the attending physician had earlier warned him that bursitis was not uncommon, even arthritis, and they said it’s not a very comfortable place to be. And I could tell that he was moving a little slow. He said, “Boy, this shoulder and hip are really starting to become a problem.” But, as of this juncture, yeah, it was off to dreamland and beyond.

What’s it been like for you emotionally? Is it helping to know that you’re going to be out there celebrating every night regardless? Or is it pretty tough to deal with right now?

Yeah. I had a couple of moments with the waterworks coming and going, and I really felt a sense of relief. I said, “Gee whiz, maybe I am human after all,” This is coming from a very deep and glorious place, with respect to knowing that after 50 years with the guy, we were all joined at — no pun intended — joined at the hip.

But knowing that we can take his wishes forward and give him all due respect… You know, he was adamant. He said, “I’m going to go down and see what’s up. In the meantime,” he said, “the show must go on. Don’t forget it.” And he was pointing his finger and shaking it. [Laughs.]

How are you feeling about continuing on with your guitar tech filling in?

Well, it was a direct directive from Mr. Dusty Hill. When he grabbed my arm and said, “I think I’m due to go visit the physician to see if I can bounce back,” he said, “In the meantime, I want you to grab our guitar technician, Mr. Elwood” — Elwood Francis — “and take him out of that tech station and strap him up with my guitar and make him carry on with every single note.” And I said, “Well, if that’s your wishes, I’ll respect that.” And sure enough, we’ve been very, very fortunate to have a stalwart standby to fill in.

What’s really got everybody on the ropes is that Elwood had been holding down the guitar technician post for 30 years as a clean-shaven young fellow. And when the lockdown was imminent, we all gathered for a band meeting, before things got too fierce. And I said, “Dusty, it looks like we’re not going to be able to go do much or go anywhere. What do you plan to do?” And he said, “Well, I’ll tell you what I’m not going to do. And that’s cut the lawn. I’m not going to cut the grass.” And I smiled and said, “Well, I’ll join you on that.” And Elwood piped up and said, “Well, if you guys aren’t going to cut the grass, I’m not going to cut my whiskers.” And when we regathered to commence rehearsals just a week and a half ago, here came Elwood, and I said, “My gosh, you’ve got chin whiskers as long as me and Dusty!”

So when he took the stage the other night, I was looking over the front row and everybody was kind of giving each other the elbow, and they were pointing up and said, “Look, the ZZ Top circus still rolls on. There’s another freak up there.” In fact, I had to stroll over and grab him by the chin to give him a yank, just to show the audience — I said, “Folks, this is the real deal here.” [Laughs.] But he’s honoring Dusty’s wishes, and I know that, wherever Dusty may be, he’s probably smiling, just knowing that all the notes are in place and that the fierceness rolls on.

It wasn’t hard for Elwood to pick up what you needed to do?

Yeah. I don’t think it took 30 minutes with a coffee table rehearsal, and he kind of rolled his eyes. He said, “Yeah, you may remember, I’ve been on the side of the stage for 30 years. I think I know it.”

Even well prior to Dusty’s passing, people have marveled that ZZ Top was the longest-standing band with the original lineup intact. On the one hand, it seems like it shouldn’t be that impossible, if people are pros and in good health and the money is still coming in. But history shows it just doesn’t happen, even at half your tenure.

Yeah. You know, during the shutdown, we took advantage of our little studio and started laying down some new tracks. I came in early one day, and I was fussing about this band issue here and fussing about that band issue there. And the engineer turned to me, smiling, and said, “Yeah, I hear you. There’s always something to complain about if you want to go there. But look, five decades with these guys, I think you’ve done pretty good.” [Laughs.] I had to back up a little bit. I said, “Wow. You know what? I’m just going to play the gih-tar today.”

Are you resuming the tour with your Friday night show?

Yes. We’re making tracks down to southern Alabama. We did elect to postpone last night’s performance out of just respect and trying to get our wits together. I think everybody was relieved that we had a little bit of time to regroup and think things through. But at the same time, everybody was ready, standing on point. And they said, “Come on. You heard Dusty’s directive as he was bowing out to go off the deck. He turned and pointed and he said, ‘Come on. The show must go on.'” So here we are. Tomorrow night, we’ll kind of pick up sticks and carry it on. I may grab his stage hat and throw it over his microphone, and I’ll sing one for the Dust.

I’m not sure how (a tribute moment) will unfold. I’ve heard from so many folks, and it’s kind of a shame that you have to lose a band member to realize just what it means to have been an important figure for our friends, fans, followers. In my text inbox,, if there’s one (text), there’s 1500-and-one. It’s really remarkable from all over the planet. So, I think it’s worthy of giving him some special moment during (the show) as we proceed. And one up. Not only can you not forget five decades very easily, but you certainly can’t forget a character like the Dust.

Is there one overriding trait that comes to mind about him right now?

Yeah. In fact, just within the last couple of months, we were reviewing a couple of the rough tracks that were starting to come together from the sessions that we were conducting just a few months ago. I remember a night where they said, “Well, you’re the producer. You’ve got to tell Dusty to stick around or let him go. He’s delivered his parts.” And I said, “Oh yeah, hold on a sec.” I say, “Hey, Dust, thanks, man. Great job.” So off he goes, and no sooner had he left the parking lot and gotten well on his way down the freeway than we encountered a very short section that I had overlooked. It was only eight or 10 bars. And I said, “Gee whiz, that goes by in not even 30 seconds…” I said, “Bring me Dusty’s bass,” and I handed it to the engineer and said, “You’re a bass player… It’s only eight bars. Let’s just fill in.” Two hours later, we had passed the bass guitar around to every single living soul in the studio, and we still couldn’t match Dusty’s tone. He had something in that damn right hand of his that can’t be described, other than fierce.

How far had you gotten on that album with him?

It’s gonna require some completion work. I think the luck of the draw was, I handed Dusty a couple of lyric sheets and I said, “Hey, see if you can make heads or tails out of this.” He said, “Can I sing it?” I said, “Dusty, you could sing the calendar if you wanted to — people would love it.” He goes, “Hey, that’s not a bad idea. If we ever get back to go to work, can we add the calendar into the show? I know all the words.” I said, “Get in there. Go sing.” So, yeah, we’ve got a couple of things [with Dusty singing lead] that’ll make sense.

Thank you for talking about this with us. It can’t be an easy time.

I’m trying to keep a chin up. Despite the fact that you can’t see it — the whiskers are still there —… I’m gonna embrace this exchange and it’ll keep me smiling for the rest of the afternoon.

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Billy f gibbons announces june/july european tour dates.

Billy F Gibbons announced the renewal of his livewire solo band, to appear at select European venues late spring and early summer of 2023. The trio, headed by Gibbons on guitar and vocals, drummer Matt Sorum (The Cult, Guns ‘N’ Roses, Velvet Revolver) and lefty guitarist, Mr. Austin Hanks , who has worked with Gibbons previously, providing the heavy bottom and rhythm for the ensemble.

The new tour brings Billy G and company to 12 countries with 20 performance dates during the four-week span starting June 10 in Solvesborg, Sweden.

Tickets to go on-sale Friday. Stay tuned for times and ticket links.

Billy F Gibbons: The Big One – Part 1 – ’23 Tour dates:

June 10 Solvesborg, Sweden / Sweden Rock Fest. June 12 Tampere, Finland / Tampere Hall June 13 Helsinki Finland / House of Culture June 15 Oslo, Norway / Sentrum Scene June 17 Copenhagen, Denmark / Copenhall Festival June 19 Hamburg, GER / Grosse Freiheit June 20 Frankfurt, GER / Batschkapp June 21 Nurenburg, GER / Lowensaal June 23 Leipzig, GER / Parkbuhne June 24 Bonn, GER / Kuntrasen June 25 Winterbach, GER / Salier Halle June 26 Praha, Czech Rep./O2 Universium June 28 Vienna, Austria / Gasometer June 29 Zurch, Switzerland / Volkshaus July 2 London, UK / O2 Shepard’s Bush Empire July 3 Birmingham, UK / Birmingham O2 Institute July 5 Albi, France / Festival Pause Guitare July 6 Paris, France / Olympia July 9 Wert, Netherlands / Bospop Festival July 11 Bournemouth, UK / O2 Academy Bournemouth

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Dickey Betts, influential Allman Brothers Band singer and guitarist, dies at Sarasota home

Dickey betts, who wrote and sang the allman brothers band’s no. 1 hit "ramblin' man," died at his home in south sarasota county..

SARASOTA COUNTY — Dickey Betts , a driving force behind the Allman Brothers Band that launched Southern rock and influenced the jam band scene, died Thursday , April 18, at his home in Osprey on Little Sarasota Bay, according to his longtime manager David Spero.

"It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that the Betts family announce the peaceful passing of Forrest Richard 'Dickey' Betts (December 12, 1943 - April 18, 2024) at the age of 80 years old," reads the statement from the Betts family.

"The legendary performer, songwriter, bandleader and family patriarch was at his home in Osprey surrounded by his family. Dickey was larger than life, and his loss will be felt world-wide. At this difficult time, the family asks for prayers and respect for their privacy in the coming days. More information will be forthcoming at the appropriate time."

The Allman Brothers performed a singular amalgam of rock, blues, jazz and country marked by the pioneering, twin lead guitar playing of Dickey Betts and Duane Allman, best heard on the band's landmark 1971 live album ”At Fillmore East." After the tragic deaths of Duane Allman and then bassist Berry Oakley, Betts became the de facto leader of the band, writing and singing the chart-topping single "Ramblin' Man" from their platinum-selling 1973 album "Brothers and Sisters," which also features key Betts compositions such as "Southbound" and the hit instrumental "Jessica." 

Interview: Dickey Betts on writing ‘Ramblin' Man’ and more Allman Brothers Band hit songs

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Betts released several acclaimed solo albums in the 1970s and 1980s before playing an integral role in reforming the Allman Brothers Band in '89 following a seven-year hiatus. Joined by founding singer/keyboardist Gregg Allman and drummers Butch Trucks and Jai Johanny Johanson (known as Jaimoe), Betts brought his Dickey Betts Band guitarist Warren Haynes into the fold and wrote the vast majority of the material for their 1990 comeback album "Seven Turns," which features Betts singing the hit title track. 

The Allman Brothers spent the first half of the '90s regularly issuing well-received new studio and live albums while filling amphitheaters nationwide, often headlining lineups with popular jam bands who were influenced by albums like "At Fillmore East," its follow-up "Eat A Peach" and "Brothers and Sisters." The Allman Brothers were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995 by Willie Nelson. During the ceremony, Betts' explosive guitar work was the highlight of the band's performance of the blues standard "One Way Out," which they first popularized when Duane Allman was in the band.

“We had some real tragedies losing Duane (Allman) and losing Berry Oakley and we had to keep the band together, had to keep it effective, and viable through all that period,” Betts  told the Herald-Tribune  in 2019 from his Osprey home. “We took off the (1980s) and Gregg and I put our little bands together and played clubs. After we got back together a lot of writers from Rolling Stone and stuff were calling us dinosaurs and making fun of bands like us and wondering if we could still play and we were determined. It gave us more drive and we showed we weren’t done yet. We made some of our best records and I think that helped put us in the Hall of Fame.”

While many celebrities have lived in Sarasota and Manatee counties including Betts' longtime band mate Gregg Allman, none have roots as deep as Betts’, whose songwriting and guitar playing would go on to influence acts including Lynyrd Skynyrd, Marshall Tucker Band, Gov't Mule and Tedeschi Trucks Band. The Betts family started living here, in the southeastern Manatee County community of Myakka City, about the time of the Civil War. Drive around the area east of Bradenton today and you are bound to find Betts Road.

Gregg Allman dies at 69 rock legend was Sarasota area resident

Forrest Richard 'Dickey' Betts born Dec. 12, 1943, in Florida

Forrest Richard Betts was born Dec. 12, 1943. The boy everyone called Dickey traded his ukulele for a mandolin and then a banjo and then an electric guitar, because he noticed the electric guitar impressed the girls.

At 16, he left home to join the circus and got a gig playing the Teen Beat stage of World of Mirth, which traveled the country from 1933 to 1963.

“Our band would do like splits and we had basketball knee pads and we’d go sliding on our knees playing and then I’d pick the other guitar player up on my shoulders and we had all this s--- going on,” Betts told me during a 2014 interview at his home. “So we did like 10, 12 shows a day. It was like vaudeville or something except it was rock ’n’ roll. That was my first road trip.”

Betts’ next road trip was playing with the band The Jokers, immortalized in the Rick Derringer song “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo.”

The Jokers were a regionally popular act that could fill 1,500-capacity dance halls. After playing with them in Indiana, Betts returned home and teamed up with fellow guitar player Larry “Rhino” Reinhardt, a Bradenton native who would go on to play with Iron Butterfly and Captain Beyond, bass guitarist Berry Oakley and keyboardist Reese Wynans. They emerged in the late 1960s in Jacksonville as the band Second Coming.

Duane Allman, already a famed session guitarist, and his good friend Jai Johanny “Jaimoe” Johanson, who had played drums in Otis Redding’s band and then with Sam & Dave, moved to Jacksonville in March of 1969, and soon that’s where the Allman Brothers Band formed with Duane Allman and Betts sharing lead guitar duties, Oakley on bass, and Jaimoe playing drums alongside Butch Trucks, with whom Duane and his younger sibling Gregg Allman had worked with before. Gregg Allman, who was living in Los Angeles in early ’69, joined a few weeks later — at the urging of Duane, Betts and the rest of the musicians — to handle lead vocals and play the Hammond B-3 organ.

Dickey Betts co-founds Allman Brothers Band in 1969

The Allman Brothers Band relocated to Macon, Georgia and their self-titled debut album came out in November of 1969. The band toured the country virtually nonstop for an entire year and then released “Idlewild South,” which includes the Allman Brothers’ first charting single, “Revival,” written by Betts, as well as the debut of his instrumental “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed.”

The definitive, 13-minute rendition of “Elizabeth Reed” appears on the Allman Brothers’ masterpiece, the 1971 double live album “At Fillmore East.” “Elizabeth Reed” is one of only three originals on the album that also includes the instrumental “Hot ’Lanta” (credited to the entire band) and the Gregg Allman original “Whipping Post,” which clocks in at 23 minutes and features some of Duane Allman and Betts’ most inspired guitar playing.

A few months after the “Fillmore” release unofficial bandleader Duane Allman died in a motorcycle accident. Almost exactly a year later, Oakley died in a motorcycle accident. Both men were 24 years old and riding near their respective homes in Macon.

Betts’ composition “Blue Sky,” the first Allman Brothers song with him on lead vocals and one of the last to feature the gorgeous guitar harmonizing of Betts and Duane Allman, appears on the hit 1972 double album “Eat a Peach.”

“That’s a cool song," Betts said during the same 2014 interview. "I was married to an Indian girl whose last name was Wabegijig, which means 'clear blue sky,' so I was writing it for her and I was writing it as ‘She’s my blue sky, she’s my sunny day’ (Betts sings). And I thought, nah, this would be a better song if I just sang it to the sky instead of to a woman. That was a very good move that could make or break that song. It made it more universal. If you’re a songwriter, that’s not a big jump. In fact, in ‘Ramblin’ Man,’ the original line to that was ‘Playing my music and doing the best I can.’ Everybody doesn’t play music, but everybody works for a living. I asked Gregg to sing ‘Blue Sky’ and actually the producer, Tom Dowd, he said, ‘No, why don’t you sing it.’”

Allman Brothers release 'Brothers and Sisters' in 1973 featuring Betts' hit song 'Ramblin' Man,' which he would later sing with Bob Dylan

The Allman Brothers' next album, 1973's “Brothers and Sisters,” includes “Ramblin’ Man.” Betts wrote and sang lead on the song as well as playing lead guitar. “Ramblin’ Man” is the Allman Brothers Band’s first and only Top 10 pop hit, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and No. 1 on the U.S. Cashbox Top 100.

“I was going to send ‘Ramblin’ Man’ to Johnny Cash," Betts told me. "I thought it was a great song for him. But everybody in our band liked that song. Even my dad liked the song, before we recorded it or anything.”

During Bob Dylan's Sept. 30, 1995, concert at the USF Sun Dome in Tampa. Florida, Betts joined Dylan on stage for several numbers including "Ramblin' Man." Betts told the story of how it came to be while seated at his Sarasota County home in 2014.

Dylan says, “Let’s do ‘Ramblin’ Man.'”

“All right, let me write the words down,” Betts tells him.

“I know the words,” Dylan says. “I should have wrote that song.”

Betts unleashed one of his warm, charming laughs.

"I said, 'Bob, just sing whatever you want to.' I didn’t think he knew the words. I figured he’d just make up some stuff," Betts recalled. "He knew the song word for word. Man, it was such an honor. He sang it and I told him later that those words have never had so much feeling. The way he sings, he makes every word punchy. It really was beautiful. It really was."

The success of “Brothers and Sisters,” in large part because of "Ramblin' Man" made the Allman Brothers rock stars.

As estimated crowd of 600,000 fans attended when the Allman Brothers Band, The Grateful Dead and The Band co-headlined the Summer Jam at Watkins Glen, New York, on July 28, 1973. Considered the largest crowd to date for a rock festival, the event drew more people than Woodstock did a few years earlier.

While filling stadiums nationwide during the mid-1970s the Allman Brothers Band were joined by teenage journalist Cameron Crowe. His experience with the group as a writer for Rolling Stone magazine would influence his critically acclaimed 2000 film “Almost Famous” starring Billy Crudup looking just like Betts.

“I talked to Billy Crudup about it and he said he was playing me,” Betts told me. “I knew Cameron Crowe and I did invite him on the road because he worked for Creem and he did a real good article about me when I did my (1974) solo album ‘Highway Call.’”

Starting in 1975, The Allman Brothers Band played benefit shows for Jimmy Carter, helping the former governor of Georgia get elected president. At the time of his death, Betts had a letter of gratitude from former U.S. President Carter framed in his house.

In 2023, New York Times bestselling author Alan Paul published the book,  "Brothers and Sisters: The Allman Brothers Band and the Inside Story of the Album that Defined the 70s."  It focuses on the Allman Brothers from 1972 to '76 and largely celebrates Betts and his new leadership role in the band.

"In this new lineup, any combination of players could lock into grooves with one another at various times," Paul writes, before further elaborating: "Betts, an absolutely monster guitarist playing with confidence and creativity, stood atop this musical juggernaut."

Dickey Betts inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Allman Brothers Band

Through several incarnations and countless controversies, Betts led the Allman Brothers after the death of Duane Allman. During the 1990s he wrote or co-wrote such hits as “Seven Turns,” “Nobody Knows” and “No One to Run With.” The Allman Brothers Band were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995. The following year a live version of “Jessica” won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance.

In 2000, Betts and the three surviving original Allman Brothers Band members split acrimoniously.

The Allman Brothers Band continued, though, for 14 more years. The group performed Betts’ songs, from his 1970s hits to the popular ones he wrote for the band during its 1990s comeback years. Betts and his Great Southern group toured successfully, too, playing only Betts’ songs and blues chestnuts, during the same time period. Betts performed in Sarasota at Robarts Arena, in 2014. It took place about a week after the Allman Brothers Band’s final show. Betts would not return to performing until nearly four years later.

Betts and Derek Trucks shared guitar duties in the Allman Brothers Band in 1999 and 2000 with Derek Trucks remaining with the Allman Brothers through the group’s final show. Betts joined the Tedeschi Trucks Band in September of 2013 at the Beacon Theatre in New York for several numbers including “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed” and “Blue Sky.”

“I’ve seen some amazing crowd responses at the Beacon, like Clapton guesting, but never have I felt it as much as with Dickey,” Trucks told me in January of 2014. “There is a lot of love for him and a lot of people really excited to see him back on stage. It was a moment for sure and Dickey was great and such a sweetheart. I grew up listening to him and his music and I have such respect for what he has done, him and his son Duane in Great Southern.”

Butch Trucks died in January of 2017 of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head and then Gregg Allman died in May of the same year after a long battle with liver cancer the singer kept private.

“I’m so glad I was able to have a couple good talks with (Gregg) before he passed,” Betts said in a statement issued the day of Gregg’s death. “In fact I was about to call him to check and see how he was when I got the call. It’s a very sad thing. I, along with the entire Great Southern family, pass along my deepest sympathies to Gregg’s family, friends, and fans.”

Betts, along with his son, Duane Betts, attended Allman's funeral at Snow's Memorial Chapel, Saturday, June 3, 2017 in Macon, Georgia. Allman was laid to rest Saturday near his older brother Duane and band mate Berry Oakley, both killed in separate motorcycle crashes in Macon in the early 1970s, in the same Rose Hill Cemetery where they used to write songs among the tombstones, not far from the US Highway 41 that Betts sings about in "Ramblin' Man."

Betts is survived by many local family members including his wife of more than three decades, Donna Betts, and his daughter, country music singer Kimberly Betts, who performed around Sarasota-Manatee with her band Gamble Creek, which featured her son (Dickey’s grandson), Grant Tyler, on guitar.

Betts’ daughter Christy married Frank Hannon, guitarist and co-founder of the multi-platinum selling hard rock band Tesla. Hannon’s 2012 solo album “Six String Soldiers” features one of Dickey Betts’ last studio recordings. Dickey’s daughter Jessica Betts, as a toddler, inspired the hit instrumental that bears her name.

Duane Betts, who Dickey named in honor of Duane Allman, is a nationally renowned guitarist, singer and songwriter born in Sarasota. As a teenager, Duane joined his father and the rest of the Allman Brothers Band in concert for select songs in the 1990s and then became a full-time member of his dad’s Great Southern group in the 2000s.

Following Dickey Betts' successful 2018 brain surgery, Duane Betts posted a photo to social media of him and his dad on stage raising their cowboy hats to the crowd following a performance.

"So grateful today," Duane Betts said. "My father has always been my hero, my mentor and my favorite guitar player in the world. I want to say thank you to all of you who have sent messages, prayed and sent good energy to my family and my dad."

Dickey Betts' 80th birthday happened to coincide with an Allman Betts Family Revival performance featuring Duane Betts and Devon Allman (son of Gregg Allman) at Sarasota's Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. Dickey came on stage during the show to be serenaded with "Happy Birthday" by the crowd. After the show, he was presented with a birthday cake shaped like a Gibson Les Paul model guitar. Dickey Betts' official Instagram account posted that "It was a night that no one in the building will soon forget" and "a fitting way to celebrate the life of a true living legend."

Wade Tatangelo  is Ticket Editor for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, and Florida Regional Dining and Entertainment Editor for the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on  Twitter ,  Facebook  and  Instagram . He can be reached by email at [email protected]. Support local journalism by  subscribing .​​​​​​

Billy Joel's 100th residency special cut during pivotal 'Piano Man' performance, CBS apologizes

CBS did not turn the lights back on during the  100th show of Billy Joel's residency .

The network in a statement on Monday apologized for ending the singer's "Billy Joel: The 100th – Live at Madison Square Garden" special two minutes early on Sunday, blaming a "network programming timing error." CBS also said it will rebroadcast the two-hour special on Friday at 9 p.m. ET.

"We apologize to Mr. Joel, his fans, our affiliated stations, and our audience whose viewing experience was interrupted during the last song," CBS said in a statement to USA TODAY Monday.

The special marked the centennial of Joel's record-setting run at Madison Square Garden , which began in January 2014 and will conclude July 25.

Excited fans who tuned in were upset after the broadcast was delayed by 30 minutes due to the 2024 Masters Tournament and ultimately cut off in the middle of Joel's larger than life "Piano Man" for local news programming.

The Barstool Sports account chimed into the discourse on X, formerly Twitter, writing , "How do you cut a Billy Joel Concert in the Middle of Piano Man?!"

"CBS has been promoting the Billy Joel concert special every two minutes for WEEKS. So what better way to air it than to preempt it for a half hour and the cut him off MID-PIANO MAN? C'mon guys," one upset fan posted .

Another wrote , "You couldn't produce a worse product than CBS just did on the Billy Joel special Way too many commercials, didn't play some of his best songs, went extremely out of order in his set list, and then cuts away to the local news in the middle of Piano Man?!? A total flop by CBS."

"Just an absolute disaster by CBS tonight producing the Billy Joel concert. Ineptitude at its finest. Start it late and cut it off early. Just horrible. #BillyJoel100," another dissatisfied viewer posted .

Billy Joel releases new song 'Turn the Lights Back On' ahead of Grammy Awards performance

Where to watch Billy Joel concert special

Joel's special is available to stream on Paramount+ for those that didn't get the full experience.

Billy Joel was happy to 'hang out' with Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran, talks 100th MSG show

In an interview with USA TODAY , the "Uptown Girl" singer said the 100th performance, including appearances from pals Jerry Seinfeld and Sting, was different from the earlier shows "because there were a bunch of cameras on stage!"

"I've been playing (Madison Square Garden) since the '70s. The 100 just happened to be a round number and happened to coincide with a Garden show I was already doing," he said.

When it came to including Sting in this particular show, Joel said, "I've known him quite a while,  since he was in The Police.  We became friends right away and I always admired his musicianship. We respect each other as musicians. It's very easy for me to work with him. It doesn't require a long rehearsal process. I hate rehearsal."

"I'm OK with making a mistake. A lot of the fun of it is in the spontaneity of the recovery," he added. "He and I have great bands, and if you're working with good musicians it makes life so much easier. I've written songs with Sting in mind, like 'Big Man on Mulberry Street,' which we do in this show."

Contributing: Melissa Ruggieri , Brendan Morrow

Billy Joel Concert Was CBS' Least-Watched Sunday Fare But Still Beat Broadcast Competition

Billy Joel drummed up 5.73M viewers on Sunday night for the CBS airing of his concert at Madison Square Garden.

Billy Joel : The 100th – Live at Madison Square Garden  won its time period, beginning around 9:30 p.m. ET/PT. However, it was actually the least-watched fare on CBS that night.

Both 60 Minutes and Tracker drew more than 8M viewers, meaning that about 30% of the network’s audience had checked out before the special began.

Still, it’s a decent audience to hold onto that late on a Sunday night, and it beat out all other broadcast competition by a hefty margin.

CBS is giving the special one more chance to shine, given that the presentation cut out in some parts of the country as the singer was in the middle of his signature hit " Piano Man ." Instead of hearing Joel finish, the broadcast cut away to local news at 11 p.m. 

The error prompted quite a bit of backlash from audiences who were unhappy that Joel’s concert was cut short.

After apologizing to fans , the network announced it would re-air Billy Joel: The 100th – Live at Madison Square Garden  on April 19 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

The special will also be available to stream on Paramount+.

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