Check out the Full Q&A of our conversation with Rock Biographer Christopher McKittrick as he discusses his newly-released book on iconic ZZ Top guitarist Billy Gibbons
This Summer, Gimme All Your Lovin’, The Blues, Boogie and Beard of ZZ Top’s Billy F Gibbons releases in bookstores. We spoke with author Christopher McKittrick about the writing process, working on music biographies and what’s coming next.
Like many writers driven to put pen to paper, McKittrick is an author alongside a full-time job. His first book, Can’t Give It Away on Seventh Avenue: The Rolling Stones and New York City (2019), shares an interesting perspective of the impact the City and the group had on each other during tumultuous times. His new book promises a delve into ’70s, ’80s, ’90s, etc, rock icons ZZ Top and some of the lore that’s floated around throughout their reign.
Known for classics of the ‘80s MTV generation ‘Sharp Dressed Man,’ ‘Legs,’ ‘Gimme All Your Lovin’,’ plus later hits, ‘I Gotsta Get Paid,’ and ‘La Grange,’ the uniquely decked-out trio was led by rock guitar master, Billy Gibbons. In fact, the group is still kicking, performing at music festivals and venues this Summer and beyond, often appearing with American Southern rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd, known for ‘Free Bird’ and ‘Sweet Home Alabama.’
According to author McKittrick, “Billy Gibbons is not only one of the most recognizable faces of [American] rock but also one of the most fascinating.” See what else he’s got to say in the full Q&A below. For the original story, click here.
Kristen Lazur, TRG: Tell us about Gibbons. What was the most surprising discovery?
Chris McKittrick: Gibbons is best known for ZZ Top, the band that started in Texas in 1969 and is still going strong. They were known for their larger-than-life image up until 2021 when vocalist Dusty Hill died. Everything’s bigger in Texas. By the 1980s Gibbons was already 15 years into a career. He quickly learned how to use their image in video. And ZZ Top became a huge hit because they didn’t look like anyone else. For a guy who didn’t have teen idol looks – he figured it out.
Gibbons has remained a pop culture touchstone. He actually wrote an autobiography but it’s mainly about guitars and cars. I thought – there’s a story there somewhere…
Here’s a funny discovery – Gibbons appeared in Bones as Angela’s father. The actress who played Angela, Michaela Conlin, gave me a great quote about working with him.
KL: How did you get a deal to write this book?
CM: Because I’ve written other books on classic rock musicians, my agent, Lee Sobel, asked me to propose a list of what I’d like to write. My new publisher, Backbeat, started a music division and they accepted 2 of the items on my list. I have another book on The Stray Cats coming out in October.
I didn’t actually speak to Gibbons as his management declined, so it’s unauthorized. But I spoke to industry people such as Producer Terry Manning who worked on 7 ZZ Top albums. This is typical – I reach out to people through research, contacts, social media – some people accept, some decline, and some share anonymously. You work it all out by first deciding what kind of book you want to write, then work your way down your list of contacts.
KL: How did you start on this book?
CM: Everything starts with research. Before pitching, I check to be sure there’s enough information available. Then I try to uncover tidbits that haven’t been brought to light in the last 20-30 years. There’s so much mythology about rock n’ roll characters. For example, my first book about The Rolling Stones – I love them and there’s so much content, but there are many stories told about them that just aren’t true
For example, Gibbons is often quoted as Jimi Hendrix’s favorite guitarist but there’s no record of Hendrix ever saying it. While it makes a wonderful story, it’s unlikely. So many musical figures are revered. As a fan, I want to get as close to the truth as possible.
KL: For this book, who was your favorite interview subject?
CM: There’s a professional magician, Ty Reveen, who designed the concept for ZZ Top’s 1985 Afterburner Tour. It was so interesting to learn how he did it. So many pieces make up a band’s visuals.
KL: What was the most difficult thing?
CM: Finding the balance between uncovering the truth behind myths – and being a spoiled sport about it. Essentially, this is a band I really like. With every book, you’re writing for an audience who loves the band, so you have to realize what the audience wants.
For example, after my Rolling Stones book, there was a message board where a guy kept hitting on the fact that I wasn’t totally worshipping the band. Of 31 albums, not every one was a big hit… So, to any writers or budding writers out there, I suggest you refrain from searching your name and getting too focused on the negative.
KL: How long does it generally take?
CM: Well, it takes as long as a publisher gives me – about 12-18 months. I always meet the deadline. If I have a year, I spend about 3 months dedicated to research, 6 months writing and 3 months reviewing/proofing. Now, with a young kid, I write in the morning and on weekends. Of those 3, research is the most fun. Finding things, digging up stuff – it’s fascinating.
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KL: What’s your process (day-to-day)?
CM: A lot of staring at a computer screen. After the first book – it’s just one word after another (haha). It’s actually the discipline of getting the job done. Sometimes I get up at 5am to get 2-3 hours in. The way you get good at something is to develop the discipline. There’s no timeline for writing – you can become an author at any age. I’ll write until the day I die because I enjoy it.
KL: How many interviews (on average) does it take to make a book?
CM: 20 is a great hit list. Not every book gives you 20 interviews but it’s a good thing to target. 10 high-quality interviews are really helpful.
KL: How do you go about researching? What’s the fact-vetting process like?
CM: The general rule is 2 confirmations for every fact. You don’t need 2 sources to say everything but focus time on vetting the pieces that may be controversial. Ultimately, this isn’t a book about Watergate, it’s about rock stars. If I do find something controversial, I seek to talk to more than one person who can corroborate. I’m not trying to find scandals.
KL: How do you choose interviewees and book topics?
CM: You start by creating a big list of who’s out there (based on your research) then rank them by priority and work down the list.
ZZ Top wrote a song for and did a cameo in Back to the Future Part III. Funnily, Back to the Future producer/screenwriter Bob Gale responded quicker than any other interviewee. Some people you never expect to hear from or with the most random relationship give you the greatest stories. And then you fill in the blanks by seeking out experts to confirm career facts.
KL: Who’s your dream interviewee?
CM: If we’re keeping it people who are alive, Bob Dylan. He’s not my favorite musician but – there is so much mystery and so few in-depth interviews, with most of the biographies revealing nothing. There’s so much mythology – he would be fascinating.
KL: Are you able to pick a favorite moment (from any interview)?
CM: Ty Reveen, the magician and stage special effects creator who designed the stage for ZZ Top’s Afterburner tour. He was so excited and had never been interviewed about it. His insight was second to none. He’d come up with a spaceship stage concept for Loverboy but ran into Billy Gibbons and pitched him the idea. How did a Texas band known for guitars and cars put out an album about space travel? Reveen noted that Houston is home to the world’s biggest space station. Finding that story was a very cool moment. I love talking to someone who has never had a chance to talk about an experience before.
KL: What do you think is the most important question to ask?
CM: The question they haven’t been asked before.
At an event in 2010, I was able to ask one question of Adam West, Batman of the 1960s TV series. It was, ‘Over 50 years, people have loved your version of Batman. Why has it withstood the test of time?’ He responded, ‘Because I was so damn good at it.’ Then he added that the humor cleverly worked with both kids and adults.
KL: How did you make your start as a writer?
CM: Growing up, I always wanted to write. I was writing 5-page biographies of bands as a teenager. If I got interested in a musician, I had to listen to everything they did. It was the same with filmmakers, like Martin Scorsese, I kept a journal and wrote about movies I saw and I discovered I could see free movies by writing reviews for a blog.
But as an author, it’s the Stones is what got me started. They had so many major press events in NYC. As a fan of the band, I started writing a book without a deal. Authors don’t normally write a whole book but a 25-page pitch to publishers and they decide if they want it. Foolishly, I went about it backwards, and it worked out.
KL: Here’s a chance to promo your book – what would you like people to get out of it?
CM: Billy Gibbons is not only one of the most recognizable faces of rock but also one of the most fascinating. He treated his career very seriously. The way he used his image to make his band larger than life and has become so well respected. He has this adage – ZZ Top is the same 3 guys and same 3 chords. It’s not exactly true but he was able to accomplish a lot through several different generations of music. Same line-up, same formula, same good sense of humor.
Unlike other bands of the time, they weren’t passing out in a gutter or in and out of jail. It was great talking to Gibbon’s collaborators to hear how his mind works. He’s very good at knowing what works for ZZ Top, having tried many things from Blues to Cuban. He’s played music that was out-of-this-world different. But only put out what fit the brand. There’s a certain level of genius in that – so many pop musicians are not steering the ship.
What anecdote did you find most amusing? Let’s hear it in the comments below… Got tickets to the show? Come back and give us your review!
Read our interview story or follow Christopher McKittrick on his social media channels here: ChrisMcKit.com | Biography | X
Find his books here: Amazon, Barnes & Noble