Rough Boy (Live 2017 featuring Billy Gibbons)

The Zoo Crew is spinning a killer track tonight for all you Zoo Freaks out there, and it’s Rough Boy (Live 2017 featuring Billy Gibbons) by Jeff Beck from his album Live at the Hollywood Bowl. This live rendition, recorded in August 2016, is a total vibe, blending Beck’s searing guitar mastery with the gritty, bluesy swagger of Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top. The song, originally a hit from ZZ Top’s 1985 album Afterburner, gets a fresh, electrified spin here, with Beck and Gibbons trading riffs that had the Hollywood Bowl crowd losing it. One cool tidbit from a VintageRock.com review is how Gibbons stepped back during breaks to marvel at Beck’s ability to “squeeze the most out of his axe,” showing the mutual respect between these legends. Posts on X from fans, like one from @rocknrollofall in 2024, call this collab a “legendary performance,” and it’s easy to see why—Beck’s Stratocaster wails and Gibbons’ vocals ooze that rough-boy charm.

Another juicy story comes from the concert itself, which was a star-studded bash celebrating Beck’s 50 years in music. According to Best Classic Bands, the Hollywood Bowl show featured not just Gibbons but also Buddy Guy and Steven Tyler, making it a once-in-a-lifetime jam. The director, Jim Yukich, captured the chemistry perfectly, especially during Rough Boy, where Beck and Gibbons played off each other like they’d been gigging together for decades. A fan on X (@bluezharp, 2022) raved about how the song “fits Gibbons so good,” and you can feel that raw, blues-rock energy in every note. Plus, the crowd’s reaction was wild—Blogcritics noted the “rapturous” response, with Zoo Freaks out there probably wishing they’d been in those seats.

Now, let’s rewind to how Jeff Beck kicked off his iconic career. Born in 1944 in Surrey, England, Beck was a gearhead kid obsessed with guitars, building his own as a teen. He got his start in the early ’60s playing with local bands before joining The Yardbirds in 1965, stepping in for Eric Clapton. His time with the band, though short, was huge—tracks like Heart Full of Soul showcased his innovative use of feedback and distortion, shaping rock’s future. After leaving The Yardbirds, he formed the Jeff Beck Group with Rod Stewart, dropping groundbreaking albums like Truth (1968) that blended blues, rock, and psychedelia. Beck’s solo career took off in the ’70s with jazz-fusion gems like Blow by Blow, and he never stopped pushing boundaries, earning eight Grammy Awards and two Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductions (Yardbirds in 1992, solo in 2009).

For all you Zoo Freaks wanting to dive deeper, check out Jeff Beck’s official website for news and tour archives. His Facebook page is a goldmine for photos and fan chatter, while Instagram (@jeffbeckmusic) has cool throwbacks and clips. On X, follow @jeffbeckmusic for updates, like the 2018 post about the Hollywood Bowl album release. Fans should also hit up the Jeff Beck Fans Facebook group, where diehards share stories and rare pics. For more, the fan site Ain’t No Saint is packed with discographies and concert reviews. So, keep it locked to THE ZOO, crank up Rough Boy, and let’s keep the freak flag flying!