Billy Gibbons quotes

Billy Gibbons is an American musician, best known as the guitarist and lead vocalist of the rock band ZZ Top. His blues-influenced guitar playing and distinctive image have made a significant impact on rock music. He continues to perform and record, inspiring generations of guitarists. Here are 22 of his quotes:

Turn on, tune up, rock out. (Billy Gibbons)

Until you learn to play what you want to hear, you're barking up the wrong tree.

Billy Gibbons

It's important to collect unusual characters. It keeps you sharp.

Billy Gibbons

Ever since I was a little kid and first heard Jimmy Reed's 'Honey, Don't Let Me Go,' the blues has been in my blood.

Billy Gibbons

Well, everybody faces the fact there really aren't many records stores around to just go and browse. Maybe browse online, yet that tactile feel of flipping through a stack of vinyl remains one of life's simple pleasures.

Billy Gibbons

The blues is a mighty long road. Or it could be a river, one that twists and turns and flows into a sea of limitless musical potential.

Billy Gibbons

Sounds like the blues are composed of feeling, finesse, and fear.

Billy Gibbons

Our skin colours may vary, but what's upstairs - there's certain things we've all got in common.

Billy Gibbons

White people get nervous and speed things up. You don't have to be in a hurry because you ain't got nothing to gain and you ain't got nothin' to lose. And that's where the groove lies.

Billy Gibbons

The blues is life itself.

Billy Gibbons

They prospect of seeing oneself in the mirror clean-shaven is too close to a Vincent Price film... a prospect not to be contemplated, no matter the compensation. (Billy Gibbons)

Water doesn't hurt a vinyl record. Put it into a dishwasher and you're fine.

Billy Gibbons

In 1950, the biggest amp you could get was no bigger than a tabletop radio.

Billy Gibbons

Experience is definitely the high road once driven. It actually enhances the songwriting and song sourcing process.

Billy Gibbons

Did Muddy Waters play an acoustic? Well of course he did. But did he turn his back on being able to plug it in and play louder? No, he plugged in and turned it up and got miles and miles ahead of the game in one fateful act of just plugging in.

Billy Gibbons

Having a visual element to your band is a good thing.

Billy Gibbons

I've been touted for my guacamole. I'll stand by my method. People have asked me to come to their home and prepare it. Restaurants have asked me about it.

Billy Gibbons

The rawness and the richness of music on vinyl almost went away, but it still seems to be on a lot of people's radar, and for good reason. It does something different than more accessible means of music playing, like MP3 players and downloads and whatnot. You get in front of these archaic contraptions that go 'round and 'round.

Billy Gibbons

Sooner rather than later, any other form other than digital media will be a thing of the past. It won't vanish, but let's face it, this is seemingly the way of the future.

Billy Gibbons

There's not a single genre that is hard to find or hard to get.

Billy Gibbons

It's a real uphill challenge to battle the white-guyness. (Billy Gibbons)

Can't do it, simply cause underneath 'em is too ugly.

Billy Gibbons

Billy Gibbons

Billy Gibbons - Image

Photo: Ralph Arvesen, CC BY 2.0

Occupation: American Musician
Born: December 16, 1949
Quotes count: 22

Related authors

Jeff Beck 12

British Musician

Johnny Winter 20

American Musician

Buddy Guy 6

American Musician

Daryl Hall 39

American Musician

Keith Richards 76

British Musician

Eric Clapton 87

English Guitarist

Michaela Conlin 5

American Actress

Joe Perry 31

American Musician

Jimi Hendrix 87

American Musician

Roky Erickson 4

American Musician