Billy Gibbons finally meets the rock legend he’s admired for decades
ZZ Top’s Billy F. Gibbons has played with and crossed paths with countless music legends over the course of his career, but one longtime inspiration had somehow remained just out of reach.
Until now.
Gibbons finally met rock and roll pioneer Dion DiMucci in person after the two musicians discovered they were performing at the same venue on the same night at Mohegan Sun.
The meeting was particularly notable because Gibbons and Dion had already collaborated on two recordings without ever actually meeting face-to-face.
Gibbons appeared on Dion’s 2020 album Blues With Friends, contributing to “Bam Bang Boom.” The star-studded record also featured Paul Simon, Jeff Beck, Joe Bonamassa, Van Morrison, Brian Setzer, Sonny Landreth, Rory Block, Steven Van Zandt, Bruce Springsteen, Samantha Fish and others.
The two joined forces again the following year for “My Stomping Ground” from Dion’s Stomping Ground. That album included an equally impressive collection of guests, including Mark Knopfler, Eric Clapton, Boz Scaggs, Keb’ Mo’, Marcia Ball, Rickie Lee Jones and Peter Frampton.
Both albums were recorded during the pandemic, meaning Gibbons’ contributions were completed remotely. Despite their musical connection, the two rock veterans never had the opportunity to meet.
That changed when Dion’s tour manager, Rich Nesin, realized Dion and ZZ Top were both scheduled to perform at Mohegan Sun on September 12. ZZ Top was booked at Mohegan Sun Arena, while Dion was performing at the resort’s Sun Patio.
Once both camps realized the coincidence, arrangements were made to finally bring the two musicians together.
Shortly before Dion took the stage, a pajama-clad Gibbons met one of his longtime musical heroes for the first time.
“I’ve admired Dion for just about as long as I can remember. He has always been the ultimate rock ‘n’ roller to me and still is just that. While we’ve collaborated on some recordings, we had yet to meet, and now it’s, “live and in person” and a truly fulfilling experience. Dion is as warm and genuine as I could have imagined and, of course, we instantly bonded over our mutual love of Jimmy Reed,” Gibbons said.
Dion was just as enthusiastic about finally meeting the ZZ Top guitarist.
“Billy Gibbons is one of a kind. The man has a distinctive sound on guitar; he is unique and special in every way; the way he dresses; the food he eats; the car he drives; the guitar he plays! The way he expresses himself when he wants to convey something to me: he sends up a smoke signal!” Dion said.
For Gibbons, the meeting brought a decades-long admiration full circle. Dion emerged as one of rock and roll’s defining early voices through hits including “Runaround Sue,” “The Wanderer” and “A Teenager in Love,” before later exploring blues and roots music.
Gibbons, meanwhile, helped carry that blues foundation into a new generation with ZZ Top.
After years of mutual admiration and two long-distance collaborations, Texas finally met the Bronx in person, with a shared love of the blues providing the connection.
Photo credit: Dennis DiBrizzi
Great article.Love the format….Keep up the good work!
Love the Bues!
I love the blues. The two bands mentioned are 2 of my favorites in here, B.B. King and Janis Joplin. Not trying to offend anyone just thought they should be mentioned also.
Thank you
I had the pleasure of meeting Billy on I’m my heroes he’s not only one of a kind he’s a wonderful gentleman
I really liked Dions voice
All good singers usually have a special kind of voice that people like. It helped a lot too that he got the songs Runaround Sue and the Wanderer! Two very catchy songs. extremely rhythmic. Not too fast, not too slow with the words in the versus just beautifully sung and delivered by Dion and his mellow cool distinctive voice. We used to go to the Drive in movies in the early 1963,4’s and hear his tunes on the radio…and Duke of Earl
All so cool. Not like today’s random strumming and whatever …words you can’t even understand.
I agree wholeheartedly with your commentary. Growing up in the 50s, 60s, and 70s was absolutely without a doubt the best decades for music. Love reading this stuff. ❤️
For somebody who idolized Dion, Gibbons didn’t go out of his way much to make the meeting happen. He (Gibbons) met him while in his pajamas? He (Gibbons) met him just before Dion went on stage? The meeting happened because they were both performing at the same venue? Oh, boy. Gibbons rode the elevator down a few floors to meet his idol? Wow. I’m impressed.
Billy always wears pajamas and do you know why?
Because he can
You’re a dipshit. And a dumbass.
You just framed an occasion you have no context with which to frame, Wow, I’m impressed.
You sir are an A-hole
Well, you went out of your way to make that asinine comment
Dave.. you’re just a big ol’ schmuck, huh?
Two classey performers who are admired world wide. Doesn’t get any better than that.
Billy Gibbons can wear anything he wants, He’s Bad, He’s Nation Wide, and the best guitarist to ever walk the face of this planet!!!
In my opinion 70s, 80sand 90s best time for music. I’m so privileged to have been able to see it. Billy Gibbons does have his own style and personality. That my friends is why he is who he is. I haven’t seen Dion so can’t comment , I can say this. The world has become divided. MUSIC, brings all walks of life, color and education together.Since they finally met after all these years , (Billy and Dion) says THEY need to get a project together. They won’t have another chance to run into each other in a busy world.
No such thing as “COINCIDENCE” time to collaborate. I would LOVE to see and hear it.🤟😊😀
I have seen zz top in concert 2 times once in Charlotte NC USA with Ted Nugent and the last time was in 2011 on Simpsonville SC USA this is the real Aaron Harmon from woodruff SC USA
I love Dion. I go back with him and the Belmonts. He had a great sound. The. Lost track of him . Then a friend turned me on to the new stuff he has been recording. Love his blues stuff. So talented. A real gift.
Wanderers Forever.
Dion’s place in rock history is undeniable — “Runaround Sue,” “The Wanderer,” those early Belmonts recordings — and his later blues work shows he never stopped evolving. Gibbons carrying that blues foundation into ZZ Top and beyond is the other half of the equation. When that 2020 album brought together Paul Simon, Jeff Beck, Van Morrison, Springsteen, Clapton, and Knopfler, it showed just how much respect Dion commands across generations. Stories like this are a nice reminder that good things are worth the wait, and that finding the right moment — whether for a long-awaited meeting or just a reliable spot to unwind — makes all the difference. I’ve enjoyed that same sense of satisfaction at [Link deleted]lately.