ZZ Top Family Tree

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This is a project aimed at making it easy to see who inspired the bands you love or even hate. For this I try not to use any influences that the band don’t claim themselves. There will be a focus on predecessors but successors will be added as they site the band. These trees become more and more interactive as new bands are added, allowing you to click any band that has a tree and jump to it.

We want our lists to be better. If you know something that belongs on this list, let us know. When in doubt we will leave it out, so we need reliable sources.

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ZZ Top over the years has maintained a steady 3-piece line up with Billy Gibbons on guitar and vocals, Dusty Hill on bass and vocals, and Frank Beard on drums. They all three have wrote music in the band. ZZ Top has always been a band rooted in blues. Let’s get into their influences…

 

Muddy Waters

Muddy Waters is known as the father of Chicago blues. Billy named him as an influence.

Muddy Waters is known as the father of Chicago blues. Billy named him as an influence.

Charles Mingus

Charles Mingus is considered a jazz great, composer and bassist. Dusty named him as an influence.

Charles Mingus is considered a jazz great, composer and bassist. Dusty named him as an influence.

Lightnin’ Hopkins

Lightnin’ Hopkins was a country/blues player. Billy named him as an influence and said he was a hero in the Houston ghetto.

Lightnin’ Hopkins was a country/blues player. Billy named him as an influence and said he was a hero in the Houston ghetto.

Howlin’ Wolf

Howlin’ Wolf is a blues player known for his powerful voice. Billy named him as an influence.

Howlin’ Wolf is a blues player known for his powerful voice. Billy named him as an influence.

Jimmy Reed

Jimmy Reed is a blues player born in Mississippi before later playing in the Chicago area. Billy named him.

Jimmy Reed is a blues player born in Mississippi before later playing in the Chicago area. Billy named him.

B.B. King

B.B. King has been one of the best known and influential blues players. Billy named him as an influence. He said as a kid his dad took him to see King in the studio recording, and he named him as the King of blues.

B.B. King has been one of the best known and influential blues players. Billy named him as an influence. He said as a kid his dad took him to see King in the studio recording, and he named him as the King of blues.

Freddy King

Freddy King is known as one of the three kings of blues guitar (along with B.B. and Albert). Billy named him as an influence.

Freddy King is known as one of the three kings of blues guitar (along with B.B. and Albert). Billy named him as an influence.

Albert King

Albert King is the the third of the three kings of blues guitar. Billy also named him.

Albert King is the the third of the three kings of blues guitar. Billy also named him.

Otis Redding

Otis Redding is a highly regarded soul singer. Billy is a big fan.

Otis Redding is a highly regarded soul singer. Billy is a big fan.

The Beatles are one of the biggest bands from a time when rock ‘n’ roll turned in to rock. Dusty said that he consider Paul McCartney one of the best bass players for his ability to compliment song with out standing out when unnecessary. He says t…

The Beatles are one of the biggest bands from a time when rock ‘n’ roll turned in to rock. Dusty said that he consider Paul McCartney one of the best bass players for his ability to compliment song with out standing out when unnecessary. He says that he tries to play in that way.

The Rolling Stones was one of the biggest bands out of the British invasion. Billy is a huge fan of Their Satanic Majesties Request.

The Rolling Stones was one of the biggest bands out of the British invasion. Billy is a huge fan of Their Satanic Majesties Request.

Jimi Hendrix was one of the most revolutionary guitar players of any time. Billy said he showed what could be done with a guitar beyond what the inventors would have ever imagined.

Jimi Hendrix was one of the most revolutionary guitar players of any time. Billy said he showed what could be done with a guitar beyond what the inventors would have ever imagined.

The 13th Floor Elevators was a psychedelic rock band formed by Roky Erickson. Billy named their first album as having a big impact on him.

The 13th Floor Elevators was a psychedelic rock band formed by Roky Erickson. Billy named their first album as having a big impact on him.

Cream are an important psychedelic blues rock band. Billy said they had a profound influence on ZZ Top. Dusty said he was heavily influenced by Jack Bruce.

Cream are an important psychedelic blues rock band. Billy said they had a profound influence on ZZ Top. Dusty said he was heavily influenced by Jack Bruce.

Jeff Beck, formerly of the Yardbirds, is a hugely influential guitarist. Billy named his album Truth as revolutionary.

Jeff Beck, formerly of the Yardbirds, is a hugely influential guitarist. Billy named his album Truth as revolutionary.

Stanley Clark

Stanley Clark is a solo bassist and member of jazz/fusion band Return to Forever. Dusty named him as an influence.

Stanley Clark is a solo bassist and member of jazz/fusion band Return to Forever. Dusty named him as an influence.

Depeche Mode are an influential new wave band. Billy is a fan.

Depeche Mode are an influential new wave band. Billy is a fan.

Ministry are pioneers in industrial rock and metal. Billy is a fan.

Ministry are pioneers in industrial rock and metal. Billy is a fan.

As a kid, Dusty said he considered himself a singer first, but picked up bass because his brother played guitar and had a drummer. They needed a bassist so he learned to play.

I’m unsure of Frank’s influences.

Bands influenced by ZZ Top!

As this project advances, bands will be added here… there are many!

Guitarist Rowan Robertson was a fan of ZZ Top

Guitarist Rowan Robertson was a fan of ZZ Top

NWOBHM legends

NWOBHM legends

Industrial Metal pioneers, Front man Al named ZZ Top as pioneers in industrial.

Industrial Metal pioneers, Front man Al named ZZ Top as pioneers in industrial.

German fathers of Power Metal

German fathers of Power Metal

Fathers of Sludge

Fathers of Sludge

Classic Black Metal

Classic Black Metal

Fathers of Groove

Fathers of Groove

Groove Masters

Groove Masters

Heavy/Power

Heavy/Power

Sources:

https://billygibbons.com/2016/11/charleston-city-paper-seven-questions-zz-tops-billy-f-gibbons/
https://www.loudersound.com/features/zz-tops-billy-gibbons-the-10-records-that-changed-my-life
https://forbassplayersonly.com/dusty-hills-texas-tale/