Billy Gibbons: The Big One 2026
- 12thFret
- Apr 15
- 5 min read
Now almost halfway through 2026, it is not surprising to see that many tours have kicked off as the summer months approach. For ZZ Top that means The Big One Tour is underway having started in March of this year.
In a treat for Texas fans the trio just completed 2 shows in San Antonio much to the delight of fans. ZZ Top holds a special place in the lone star state as the group pioneered what is considered by many to be called Texas Rock.
The mixture of Rock and Blues with Texas energy and style remains after many decades and a big part of that is the man himself, Billy F. Gibbons. Amongst guitarists Gibbons is in a class of his own, dripping with style and a confidence that makes even the smallest hand gesture cool.
In what was a bucket list interview for us, we were able to have a few questions answered by the legendary guitarist and are happy to bring to you all a Q and A with Billy F. Gibbons.
12th Fret: With ZZ Top being together for over 50 years, what do you feel has been the key to longevity for the group?
Billy: Yes, it’s been quite a while yet our ongoing roadshow and studio
work keeps constant aim towards what we get to do. The reward seems
to be that lots of folks like it, too. The ZZ Top frame is about having a
good time to share with friends, fans, and followers. Besides, we think we’re starting to get pretty good at it all.
12thFret: In your opinion, which is the most important for a Blues/Rock song, the Riff, the Groove, or the Tone?
Billy: Tone! You can copy a riff, get a groove going yet tone is
something that becomes quite personal. Our motto has long been
“Tone, Taste & Tenacity.” Obviously the latter applies as we’ve been at
it all this time. That ‘middle piece’ is somewhat subjective however,
one might say, the first one is total vibe. That’s it!
12thFret: We understand that a new track entitled “Brown Paper Bag” has been performed with the BFG’s but has not been released yet, is there a new solo album in the works for 2026?
Billy: Yes, indeed and the folks with Concord Records are prep’d and in
motion for the soon-to-release to hit the streets. Gonna be a rockin’
affair and will include not only “Brown Paper Bag” but also “Livin’ It
Up Down In Texas” featured during the “Landman” first season’s
closing episode. It goes without saying, when the cashier at the market
asks, “Paper of plastic”? We’re always gonna go for paper!
12thFret: Known for having an amazing collection of guitars, custom and vintage, is there a “unicorn” that has eluded you over the years that you still hope to add to the collection?
Billy: We’re sharing the enjoyment of keeping close watch on my very
first electric guitar, a Gibson Melody Maker which appears on
Christmas Day after turning 13! It’s in good hands with my guitar
fanatic pal maintaining good tuning and safe keeping.
12thFret: In your encounter with late musician Prince following the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductions, you noted that Prince wanted to talk guitar. Were you able to jam with Prince and did he express a liking to a particular ZZ Top song?
Billy: Yes! Prince was very up to date on our stuff as well as holding a
wide range of what it takes as a player. We shared the double exchange
of “When Doves Cry” and “Sharp Dressed Man”.
12thFret: Having been almost born at one of ZZ Tops concerts (Eliminator Tour 1983 Corpus Christi, TX), the music of ZZ Top has always been present in my life. With that being said, how does it feel to know that ZZ Tops playing and style have influenced so many musicians over the years?
Billy: It’s great to be part of the blues continuum. We learned from
Muddy Waters and B.B. King who learned from Charlie Patton who
learned from Robert Johnson. A fulfilling process that continues taking
the art form into the future.
12thFret: What advice would you give young musicians who want to pursue Rock/Blues/Guitar but don’t know where to start?
Billy: Think about learning what you want to hear. Then figure out
how to make it happen. Repeat.
12thFret: Guitarist Jared James Nichols is a friend of our publication and has always expressed an admiration for your playing often citing your work as a major influence. What are your thoughts on his sound and playing style as he makes his presence known in the world of Rock and Blues?
Billy: Our admiration for Jared James Nichols as a solid player supporting his fronting a strident backline within their trio indicates they’ve got their head (head stock?) screwed on right. Solid! ‘Nuff said.
There we have it folks. Words from the man himself as the tour continues "moving on down the line."
It really is awesome to know that soon we will have a new album coming from Gibbons featuring what seem to be some really tasty tracks. Combine that with the fact that the late musician Prince was not only a fan of Sharp Dressed Man, but that he was very up to date on the bands music and you have a what is undoubtedly a mark left in the world of music.
We of course want to thank Mr. Gibbons for taking the time to answer our questions, and for making that music that has been the soundtrack in many lives. If you have never seen the group perform live, we encourage everyone to get some tickets and do not miss what is going to be a stand out performance.
For those interested in seeing the group on the remainder of The Big One Tour, you can still get tickets for the following dates around the world.
Apr17
Simmons Bank Arena
North Little Rock, AR
Apr18
Orion Amphitheater
Huntsville, AL
Apr19
Gatton Park
Lexington, KY
Apr21
Capitol Theatre
Wheeling, WV
Apr23
Allen County War Memorial Coliseum - Expo Center
Fort Wayne, IN
Apr24
Peoria Civic Center Arena
Peoria, IL
Apr25
Azura Amphitheater
Bonner Springs, KS
Apr30
Oxford Performing Arts Center
Oxford, AL
May1
Harrah's Cherokee
Cherokee, NC
May2
Wild Adventures Theme Park
Valdosta, GA
May5
The Orpheum Theater
Madison, WI
May7
Waterworks Park - Lauridsen Amphitheater
Des Moines, IA
May8
Ozarks Amphitheater
Camdenton, MO
May9
Lucky Star Casino
El Reno, OK
May14
Harrah's Stir Cove
Council Bluffs, IA
May15
Mystic Showroom
Prior Lake, MN
May19
Palace Theatre
Greensburg, PA
May21
Lynchburg Amphitheater
Lynchburg, VA
May22
Koka Booth Amphitheatre at Regency Park
Cary, NC
May23
Marshall Health Network Arena
Huntington, WV
Jun22
Tartu SFG
Tartu, Estonia
Jun24
Veikkaus Arena
Helsinki, Finland
Jun26
Dalhalla
Rattvik,Sweden
Jun28
Sverresborg
Trondheim,Norway
Jun30
Malmo Arena
Malmo, Sweden
Jul2
Stadtpark
Hamburg, Germany
Jul3
Friedberg Open Air
Friedberg, Germany
Jul4
Waldbuhne
Northeim, Germany
Jul6
Enteria Arena
Pardubice, Czech Republic
Jul7
VAZ
St Poelten, Austria
Jul9
Forest National
Brussels, Belgium
Jul10
Rockhal
Esch-sur-Alzette,Luxembourg
Jul13
Open Air am Jahnstadion
Regensburg, Germany
Jul14
The Hall
Zurich, Switzerland
Jul15
Adidas Arena
Paris, France
Jul16
Festival de Poupet
Saint-Malo-Du-Bois, France
Jul18
Navarra Arena
Pamplona, Spain
Jul19
Poble Espanyol
Barcelona, Spain
Jul20
Noches del Botanico
Madrid, Spain
Jul22
Marina Norte
Valencia, Spain
Jul23
Bullring
Murcia, Spain
Jul25
Concert Music Festival
Cadiz, Spain
Aug5
The Hollywood Bowl
Los Angeles, CA
Aug26
Meijer Gardens
Grand Rapids, MI
Aug28
FireKeepers Casino Hotel
Battle Creek, MI
Sep19
Sweetland Amphitheatre
Lagrange, GA
Nov9
Telemex Auditorium
Guadalajara, MX
Nov11
Auditorio Nacional
Ciudad De México, MX
Nov13
Banamex Auditorium
Monterrey, MX
Nov18
KTO Arena
Porto Alegre, BR
Nov20
Igloo Super Hall
Curitiba, BR
Nov21
Suhai Music Hall
São Paulo, BR
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