Watch Billy Gibbons and Billy Joel Jam ZZ Top Songs
via Jim Powers / YouTube
Fans at Madison Square Garden were in for a legendary surprise on March 26, 2023, when ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons joined Billy Joel onstage for a pair of unforgettable performances. Gibbons made a grand entrance as Joel’s band teased the intro to “La Grange,” with the crowd erupting in excitement. The bearded rocker played into the moment, stroking his signature chest-length beard while soaking in the cheers.
“Holy shit, it’s Billy Gibbons!” one audience member can be heard yelling in the viral video, summing up the energy in the room. Joel looked equally thrilled, flashing a grin as he welcomed Gibbons to the stage. The moment felt spontaneous and genuine — a merging of two music legends simply having fun.
With a playful “From a Billy to a Billy,” Gibbons asked for a guitar and jumped right in. What followed was a gritty and electrifying rendition of “La Grange,” with Gibbons trading bluesy licks alongside Joel’s guitarist Tommy Byrnes, Joel himself, and saxophonist Mark Rivera. It was a pure rock moment delivered with swagger and soul.
“Tush” Turns Up the Heat
Just when the energy seemed to peak, Joel’s band launched into another ZZ Top staple — “Tush.” This track has been a familiar fixture in Joel’s set lists, usually sung by rhythm guitarist Mike DelGuidice, and tonight was no exception. Gibbons stayed onstage, bringing a raw, authentic groove to the Texas rocker’s anthem.
With the band firing on all cylinders, “Tush” became a joyful celebration of classic rock heritage. DelGuidice nailed the vocals while Gibbons’ presence elevated the entire performance to something extraordinary. You could feel the mutual admiration between everyone on stage, and the crowd fed off that chemistry.
As the final notes rang out and Gibbons exited, Joel expressed what everyone was feeling: “That was a fantasy come true.” It wasn’t just a guest appearance — it was a dream collaboration that blurred the lines between setlist routine and once-in-a-lifetime jam session.
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The Ultimate Collaborator
This wasn’t Gibbons’ first stop on the guest circuit. Just days before, he shared the stage with Elvis Costello at a benefit concert for the Musician Treatment Foundation in Nashville. There, he ripped through a batch of ZZ Top classics, including “Sharp Dressed Man” and “Jesus Just Left Chicago,” proving his versatility and enduring appeal.
Gibbons seems to be enjoying this chapter of his career — appearing alongside fellow icons, keeping the ZZ Top legacy alive, and supporting good causes along the way. Whether it’s with Costello, Joel, or any other collaborator, Gibbons brings authenticity and a laid-back Texas charm that resonates with both fans and peers.
As ZZ Top gears up for their headlining tour April that year, these pop-up performances act as both warm-ups and reminders of what makes Gibbons so special. He doesn’t just play — he connects, he entertains, and he elevates every stage he steps on.
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Billy Joel’s Enduring Residency and Beyond
Billy Joel’s Madison Square Garden residency has already become the stuff of legend, with over 90 sold-out shows since it began in 2014. His ability to keep things fresh — from changing up setlists to inviting surprise guests — keeps fans coming back month after month. The appearance of Billy Gibbons was just the latest example of Joel’s knack for musical spontaneity.
In between his MSG gigs, Joel is also on a co-headlining stadium tour with Stevie Nicks, bringing his music to even more fans across the U.S. The tour kicked off on March 10th in 2023 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles and resumed in April in Arlington, Texas — Gibbons’ home turf, no less.
Whether in the intimacy of an arena or the scale of a stadium, Joel remains one of the few artists who can make every performance feel personal. And when nights like these happen — where legends collide and magic unfolds — it’s a reminder that live music still has the power to surprise and inspire.
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