Billy Ethridge is a rock guitarist and vocalist, and he is known for his work in the band ZZ Top. He is also known for his unique style, and he has received several awards. Here is a look at his background, musical influences, and some of the bands he’s worked with.
Early life
The early life of Billy Ethridge was a bit of a mixed bag. Born in 1934, his father was James Ethridge and his mother was Delma Ethridge. His early years were spent in Bowie Township, Arkansas. He was a member of the Oak Grove Free Will Baptist Church and had a knack for hunting. In 1952, he graduated from Dermott High School and enlisted in the United States Army as a paratrooper. After leaving the military, Billy worked for the Alice-Sydney Dryer and Seed Company in Alexandria, Virginia for more than 55 years.
At the time of his passing, he was a proud military veteran, having served two tours in Afghanistan. His hobbies included fishing, trophy hunting, and of course, carpentry. He also enjoyed the excellent old-fashioned American pastime of telling stories.
Leave from ZZ Top
ZZ Top started as an unpretentious populist band. They were a staple of the heartland record-buying audience, which helped them develop a loyal following. Despite having only one ballad in their catalog, they’ve managed to stay active and relevant for more than two decades.
ZZ Top is a rock band from Houston, Texas, that began in 1969. They were inspired by the Doors and Procol Harum. Their sound is a mash-up of Texas blues, hard rock, and country. The band has toured 300 days a year.
When the group first recorded their first single, “Tush,” it hit the Billboard Top 40. The band’s line-up changed after that. Billy Ethridge replaced Lanier Greig. Originally, they also had Dan Mitchell on drums. But he quit after a short stint.
Survivors
Billie Jean Foltz Ethridge was born on April 1, 1928. She grew up in Dalhart, Texas. During her high school years, she was a twirler and a barrel racer. In addition to working at Citizens Bank in Clayton, she was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Clayton. Her husband, Tommy, and she owned Ethridge Chevrolet for 48 years.
She was preceded in death by two sisters. She was also a member of the Eastern Star. She and her husband, Tommy, retired on December 12, 2007. As an Alabama Cattleman’s Association member, she also served on the board. They were married for 61 years and had two sons.
Billie and Tommy were also members of the Myrtlewood Baptist Church, where he was a deacon. He received a Master of Education from the University of Alabama. Earlier in his career, he was a teacher at Albany High School and Dougherty High School. He also worked as a math supervisor for Dougherty County.
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