Billy Gibbons Had the Nerve to Play Hendrix Songs… to Hendrix

18 Aug 2026 / Latest

Before ZZ Top, Billy Gibbons toured with Jimi Hendrix as a member of The Moving Sidewalks. The young band didn’t have enough original material to fill its support set, so they made an extraordinarily brave decision: they played “Foxy Lady” and “Purple Haze” directly in front of Hendrix. Rather than being offended, Hendrix admired their nerve and became friends with Gibbons. He later gave Gibbons a Fender Stratocaster—the guitar heard on ZZ Top’s “A Fool for Your Stockings”. This chapter is taken from the Listener Land podcast, uncovering remarkable stories and forgotten moments from music history. Watch more stories in the Listener Land Chapters playlist and subscribe for new music conversations every week. #billygibbons #jimihendrix #zztop #musichistory