My Metal theory is: “If you’re heavy, you’re family!” Plus, ZZ Top has “more than likely” influenced a respectable number of Metal musicians over the decades, (with many of them at this same festival).

I’ve read in numerous publications over the years, the deep respect that Jimi Hendrix had for the guitar skills of Billy Gibbons. Besides the Blues and Southern Rock, Billy’s legendary status as an “axeman” is widespread over all the “heavy genres”… IMO.

As I’ve always interpreted it, there has (historically) been a “link” between bands such as ZZ TOP (along with Molly Hatchet and Lynyrd Skynyrd) to the evolution of Metal. In essence, it all comes down to the “legendary history” of ZZ TOP.