By all means, there is no such thing as a dream rock band. Supergroups are as likely to produce chaos as they are geniuses. However, some artists have managed to create timeless albums and capture the enchantment of their peers. But if Billy Gibbons had had his way, his supergroup would have delivered the blues jam of the century.
Gibbons’s career in rock and roll is replete with references to the blues. Many of his signature licks came from the school of Albert King and Robert Johnson. Even when he was playing the kind of gritty, rock ‘n’ roll with ZZ Top or getting psychedelic with his early band, The Moving Sidewalks.
A strong groove is the foundation of any successful band, and Gibbons believed Doyle Bramhall would be a perfect fit as the group’s pulse. Although Bramhall was already one of Texas’ finest drummers, his breakthrough came as a songwriter. Penning songs for Stevie Ray Vaughan made him the ideal all-around musician for the main act.
Gibbons acknowledged that all the Jimmys had to be taken into consideration when it came to playing guitar. He said to Elmore, “We’d need the Jimmys on guitar: that would be Jimmy Reed, Jimmie Vaughan, and Jimi Hendrix.” Despite this, he continued to work with jazz organists like Jimmy Smith and Jimmy McGriff. Gibbons seems to think that three guitarists aren’t quite enough as well, gesturing for Eddie Taylor to play the bass instead of the low end.
Gibbons reasoned that there would be a round-robin of guest musicians taking turns singing. He added, “Me, Jagger, and Keith Richards as singers, and—this will make a rather amusing addition—Jeff Beck as a singer.” Most people would assume that Gibbons would want to take the lead on the songs. Although hearing Jeff Beck sing could be novel, it doesn’t sound out of the question once you break it down.
Any bluesy legend Beck bounced off of could not match his ability to cut through with his guitar. He always managed to make it sound like a human voice. Already, this seems like a blues-rock version of “We Are the World,” but is there any possibility that they could collaborate on something truly amazing?
It’s difficult to judge because a few of them are no longer with us. But it’s understandable how some of them could fill in the gaps for the others. Even though it’s difficult to top a Hendrix guitar solo or a Bramhall shuffle. There’s a good chance that each member of the band could try to add something original after observing what the others are doing.
Remember that listening to each other is the most important aspect of being in a group. All the members of this ideal band avoid stepping on each other’s toes. We would witness one of the best supergroups ever when they finally got together. Although it would be difficult to put together, that supergroup on the other side will undoubtedly sound like blues rock angels in a few years.
