Rock Biographer Christopher McKittrick 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. 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.”
He quotes Gibbon’s adage, “’ZZ Top is the same 3 guys and same 3 chords.’” But notes, “it’s not exactly true but Gibbons was able to accomplish a lot through several different generations of music. Same line-up, same formula, same sense of humor.”
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.’
LARGER THAN LIFE
Exploring the history, McKittrick affirms, “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 music career. He quickly learned how to use their image over 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.”
McKittrick himself has figured out his own passion, having an interest in writing for as long as he can remember. Scribbling 5-page biographies of bands since his teens, he kept a journal on favorite music and movies. But how did he get a deal to write a book like this? “After my previous books, agent Lee Sobel took my list of ideas to publisher, Backbeat (part of Rowman & Littlefield). They accepted 2 and I have another book on The Stray Cats coming out in October. But as an author, it’s the Stones that got me started. As a fan, I started writing without a deal. Authors don’t normally write a whole book but a 25-page pitch to publishers. Foolishly, I went about it backwards and it worked out.”
Once McKittrick got the green light, he launched research mode, piecing together a chronology, seeking interesting tidbits and creating a hit list of interviewees. “Gibbons’ 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 through research, contacts, social media – some accept, some decline and some share anonymously.”
Of course, part of the job is also proving out the mythology. McKittrick points out one of his biggest (and likely most disappointing) findings, “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. As a fan, I want to get as close to the truth as possible. Essentially, this is a band I really like.” He suggests a general rule of two confirmations per notorious fact. “Ultimately, this isn’t about Watergate but rock stars. If I do find something controversial, I seek corroboration. I’m not trying to uncover scandals.”
GREAT SCOTT
Other pieces of the story magically came together. “There’s a professional magician, Ty Reveen, who designed the concept for ZZ Top’s 1985 Afterburner Tour. He’d come up with a spaceship stage concept for Canadian rockers, Loverboy, but ran into 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.”
And interestingly, “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.” In 1990, the group had a cameo in Gale’s Back to the Future Part III where they also provided the OST tune, ‘Doubleback.’ With typical humor, they joked about being able to wear their own clothes on the wild west set.
During the research phase, McKittrick also uncovered a Gibbons TV appearance on long-running American series, Bones. He joined the cast with a recurring role as Angela’s father. Actress Michaela Conlin provided stories and a great quote about working with him.
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BUILDING A DISCIPLINE
We talk about the writing process, particularly as a side-hustle for a guy with a young family. From start to finish, it takes McKittrick 10-20 interviews and 12-18 months to write a biography but he jests that he takes as long as his editor allows. Generally, he spends about 3 months on research, 6 months writing and another 3 reviewing. But his favorite is the research.
With his other responsibilities, how does he fit it all in? What does an average writing session look like? “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.”
He continues on his ZZ Top findings and their own level of discipline, “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 Gibbons collaborators to hear how his mind works. He’s very good at knowing what works for ZZ Top, having tried Blues to Cuban, but only putting out what fit the brand. There’s a certain level of genius in that – so many pop musicians are not steering the ship.”
HOLY INTERVIEW QUESTIONS, BATMAN
Digging into his own process, I ponder what McKittrick believes is the most important question to ask in an interview. “The question they haven’t been asked before.” Hmmm. “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.”
With all he’s done, I can’t help but wonder who McKittrick would like to meet – a dream interviewee. “Bob Dylan. 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.”
We close on a final piece of advice for anyone addicted to pens, fonts and the poundage of paper. “There’s no timeline for writing – you can become an author at any age. Finding things, digging up stuff – it’s fascinating. I’ll write until the day I die because I enjoy it.”
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 Full Q&A story or follow Christopher McKittrick on his social media channels here: ChrisMcKit.com | Biography | X
Find his books here: Amazon, Barnes & Noble
Hi Brennan,
Agree – classic. Feel free to come back and tell us about it after you’ve read the book.
Thanks for reading & for commenting!
Best, Kristen
I have the book but, I plan on reading it pretty soon.
ZZ Top is frickin’ Awesome.