Inquirer: Billy Gibbons

Why did you pick up a guitar? It was louder than my sister's screaming. Plus, it looked like a hotrod. It is a hotrod!

What was your first guitar? Gibson Melody Maker, single pickup, single cutaway, two-toned sunburst. 1962. Pin-striping extra.

What was the first song you learned? "What'd I Say" by Ray Charles and a bunch of Jimmy Reed.

Do you remember your first gig? Oh, yes! It was with The Saints...Crosswell, Taft, Mickley and Gibbons. A real get-down house party. Complete with the end-of-evening raid. Had to hop the back fence with guitar in hand. Escaped in fine form. Pure heaven.

What is your favorite piece of gear? More than likely, the Bixonic Expandora fuzzbox reigns supreme. Then again, there's Blackstone Appliances, Foxx Tone Machine, the Metasonix Agonizer, Dallas Rangemaster... One's too many and a hundred ain't enough.

Got any advice for young players? Write, play, make good records. Learn to play what you want to hear. A good thang.