Rough Boy (Live 2017 featuring Billy Gibbons)

The Zoo Crew is spinning the groovy vibes of Rough Boy (Live 2017 featuring Billy Gibbons) by Jeff Beck, and the Zoo Freaks are loving this killer track! Recorded at the Hollywood Bowl in 2016 to celebrate Jeff Beck’s 50 years in music, this live version features the legendary Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top. The song, originally from ZZ Top’s 1985 album Afterburner, got a fresh, fiery twist with Beck’s searing guitar riffs layered over Gibbons’ gritty vocals. A post on X from @rocknrollofall in 2024 called their performance “one of a kind and legendary,” capturing the electric chemistry between these two guitar titans. Fun fact: this wasn’t their first jam together—Beck joined ZZ Top on stage in 2015 at Wembley Arena for Rough Boy on Beck’s 71st birthday, making it a memorable moment for fans.

Another cool tidbit comes from the 2016 Hollywood Bowl concert, where Gibbons was a surprise guest alongside other icons like Buddy Guy and Steven Tyler. According to a review on VintageRock.com, Gibbons was so blown away by Beck’s guitar mastery during Rough Boy that he stepped back in awe mid-performance. The song also appeared on Beck’s Live at the Hollywood Bowl album, released in 2017, which fans on the Jeff Beck Fans Facebook group still rave about for its raw energy. In a 2014 Guitar World interview, Beck and Gibbons bonded over their shared love of cars and guitars, which likely fueled their seamless collaboration on this track.

Jeff Beck, born June 24, 1944, in Wallington, England, kicked off his musical journey at age 10, despite his mom’s push for him to play piano. Inspired by guitar gods like Jimi Hendrix, young Jeff dove into music, building his own guitar and soaking up records. By 1964, he was gigging with The Tridents and Screaming Lord Sutch and The Savages. His big break came in 1965 when he joined The Yardbirds, replacing Eric Clapton. Beck’s innovative style helped make the band a hit, but by 1966, he was out, replaced by Jimmy Page. Going solo, he dropped Hi-Ho Silver Lining and soon formed the Jeff Beck Group with Rod Stewart and Ron Wood. Their albums Truth (1968) and Beck-Ola (1969) cemented Beck as one of rock’s top guitarists.

After the Jeff Beck Group, Beck kept evolving, blending rock, jazz, and blues. His 1975 album Blow by Blow went platinum, and he later won a Grammy for 1989’s Guitar Shop. Rolling Stone ranked him 14th on their “100 Greatest Guitarists” list in 2003, and he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009. Beck’s official website, jeffbeck.com, is the go-to spot for his latest news, tour dates, and merch. You can also follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and X for updates. Fans gather at the Jeff Beck Fans Facebook group and jeffbeck.rocks, a fan site packed with discographies and concert stories. The Zoo Crew and Zoo Freaks salute Jeff Beck’s epic legacy—keep rocking those air guitars!