The Untouchables

A fellow ZZ Top fan proposed an interesting point. He felt it was questionable for ZZ to cover one of Jimi Hendrix's most quintessential tracks - "Hey Joe". Having felt this to be a song of utmost influence, sincerity and personal creativity, he argued that maybe it was not appropriate for the group to offer their own version. So I thought; is it a good idea?

It's true that Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" has never had a really sincere cover, most versions are a joke or play on words. Same holds for Floyd's "Wish You Were Here". Lennon's "Imagine". These are huge songs, yet bands and musicians have stayed away from trying to offer a rendition. Perhaps in fear of backlash from the public or the original composer? Maybe the tunes simply cannot be faithfully replicated? I hadn't really thought about it before, but the one time I went to see a Zeppelin cover band they did not play "Stairway". It didn't hit me at the time, but its an interesting revelation.

Certainly Hendrix is at the pinnacle of music's most astoundingly talented, astoundingly revered, astoundingly creative individuals. His compositions and influence will transcend centuries of would be imitators of less blinding skill, of living memories fading into historical accounts and anecdotes. But is "Hey Joe" the one - the untouchable track amongst his many generous gifts to man? Actually, yeah, it probably is, to me and the fellow ZZ Top fan anyway.

But in light of the history between Billy Gibbons and Jimi Hendrix I would argue an exception needs to be made. Jimi named Billy as one of his favorite and most talented musicians, and was so confident and enthusiastic in the aspiring guitarist's work that he brought him along on the road to tour together. Billy has spoken very highly of Hendrix through the years, as everyone does. But Billy has a greater connection than Slash or Kenny Wayne Shepard. He spoke with and learned from the master. He was part of the circle, if only for a short while. The band does a fair and genuine rendition of "Hey Joe" and crowds enthusiastically react when the first words asking about that gun in Joe's hand are sung. If Billy digs it, and Dusty digs it, and Frank digs it, and the crowd digs it, and the masses dig it, so be it. I'm pretty sure Jimi would dig it too.

* It was rumored during the Spring rehearsals ZZ was working on a third Hendrix song to possibly bring to the stage (after "Hey Joe" and "Foxy Lady"). Having slowly lengthened the closing outro of "Hey Joe" over the course of the year to include several highly notable chords of "The Wind Cries Mary", perhaps this is the next tune the Top will turn us on to.
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