Jesus Just Left Chicago by ZZ Top

The classic blues-rock song “Jesus Just Left Chicago” by ZZ Top is an iconic track that showcases the masterful guitar work of Billy Gibbons. Known for its gritty, soulful tone and expressive techniques, this song offers guitarists the chance to explore a variety of guitar techniques that add both texture and emotion to their playing. Our LickLibrary lesson for this track breaks down each element in detail, teaching you how to replicate Gibbons’ unique sound and style. By the end of this lesson, you'll have gained confidence in techniques that are widely used across blues and rock guitar. Danny Gill breaks down this classic ZZ Top track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

The Guitar Legend: Billy Gibbons and His Influence

Billy Gibbons, the lead guitarist of ZZ Top, is revered for his distinctive tone and his ability to blend Texas blues with rock. Gibbons’ playing is soulful, gritty, and nuanced, emphasising feel and expression over speed or technical complexity. His style often includes bluesy bends, slides, and a range of harmonics, each executed with impeccable taste. With influences rooted in early blues and rock, Gibbons has inspired countless guitarists to explore tone, phrasing, and dynamics in their own playing. Learning "Jesus Just Left Chicago" not only immerses you in Gibbons' approach but also gives you tools to develop your own expressive voice on the guitar.

Breakdown of Techniques Used in "Jesus Just Left Chicago"

Our lesson covers a range of techniques found throughout “Jesus Just Left Chicago,” each of which plays a vital role in shaping the song's distinctive sound. Here’s a closer look at each technique you’ll learn, along with how each contributes to your overall playing style.

Vibrato

Gibbons’ use of vibrato adds emotional depth to each note. In blues, vibrato can make simple phrases sound powerful and poignant. Our lesson breaks down how to execute controlled and wide vibrato, helping you enhance expression in your playing. Mastering vibrato is essential for creating a “singing” quality, making each note resonate with feeling.

String Bending

String bending is a crucial technique in “Jesus Just Left Chicago,” and Gibbons uses it to mimic the soulful wails of a blues singer. You'll learn both whole-step and half-step bends, focusing on intonation and control. Learning string bending gives you the ability to emphasise emotion, creating tension and release in your phrasing.

Slides

Slides are prevalent in this track and add a smooth, flowing quality to Gibbons’ phrases. Our lesson guides you through achieving clean, consistent slides, moving between notes and frets effortlessly. Incorporating slides into your playing enhances fluidity, allowing you to transition smoothly between different parts of a lick or riff.

Pinched Harmonics

Known for his “squeals,” Gibbons uses pinched harmonics to add bite and attitude to certain notes. This technique is both challenging and rewarding, adding a signature, high-pitched overtone that stands out in a mix. Mastering pinched harmonics enables you to add unique accents to your playing, giving phrases a powerful, percussive quality.

Double-Stop Bends

In this song, double-stop bends are used to add a fuller, harmonised sound. These involve bending two notes at once, creating a thicker, bluesier tone. Our lesson walks you through controlling both pitch and pressure, giving you the tools to make each double-stop bend sound rich and soulful. Double-stop bends are a valuable addition to any guitarist’s toolbox, allowing for more dynamic phrasing.

Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs

Adding fluidity and speed, hammer-ons and pull-offs are essential in Gibbons' style. In our lesson, you’ll practice transitioning between these techniques, improving your legato playing. Learning hammer-ons and pull-offs not only strengthens your fretting hand but also adds a smooth, connected sound to your riffs and licks.

Bluesy Bends

Bluesy bends, a hallmark of Gibbons' playing, involve slight bends that evoke a “wailing” effect. This subtle technique requires precise control, which we cover in the lesson, giving you the skills to create tension within your solos. Bluesy bends are an expressive tool that lets you infuse blues feeling and character into any note.

Chord Progressions and Arpeggios

While “Jesus Just Left Chicago” centres on riff-based structure, understanding the chord progressions behind the melody helps in grasping the song's harmonic framework. We also touch on arpeggios that underpin the rhythm guitar, providing a basis for improvising around the main riffs. Learning chord progressions and arpeggios builds your understanding of song structure and enhances your ability to craft melodies around chord tones.

Benefits of Learning “Jesus Just Left Chicago”

Learning “Jesus Just Left Chicago” is more than mastering a classic blues song; it’s about building a strong foundation in expressive blues-rock techniques. Each technique in this song adds to your versatility, making you more adept at conveying emotion through guitar. Gibbons’ playing style is known for its tasteful restraint and powerful phrasing—qualities that can significantly elevate your own playing when applied thoughtfully.

With this lesson, you’ll not only replicate the sounds of a rock and blues legend but also gain tools to develop your own voice as a guitarist. Whether you're a beginner looking to improve phrasing or an experienced player aiming to add nuance, these techniques are essential for achieving a rich, expressive tone.

Guitar Techniques List

Here are the techniques featured in our "Jesus Just Left Chicago" lesson, along with links for deeper exploration:

• Vibrato
• String Bending
• Slides
• Pinched Harmonics
• Double-Stop Bends
• Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs
• Bluesy Bends
• Chord Progressions
• Arpeggios

This lesson is designed to help you master “Jesus Just Left Chicago” note for note, allowing you to capture Billy Gibbons’ soulful blues-rock sound while expanding your own technical and expressive capabilities on guitar.