My First Gibson: Billy Duffy of The Cult

Growing up in England in the early 70s, Billy Duffy recounts his first time seeing a Gibson - a TV Yellow Les Paul™ Junior played by punk guitarist Johnny Thunders. In this episode of My First Gibson, he tells us how that experience led him to his first Gibson, a 70s Melody Maker™ in Raw Tobacco Sunburst.

Originally from Manchester, Billy first started playing guitar at the age of fourteen and, by the mid 1970s, was swept up in the punk movement. Before joining Death Cult with Ian Astbury, he played in numerous bands, including the Nosebleeds with future The Smith’s singer Morrissey, Studio Sweethearts, and Theatre of Hate. In 1984 Billy and Ian shortened the band name to The Cult, and the rest is history.

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[RodClark]

Billy Duffy is a beast. So under rated as a guitarist.

[DougGoodwin]

Billy is one of my guitar idols - his style seems simple, but he controls sonic chaos like few others. He’s one of the undercelebrated greats across 4 decades!!

[justinrisen]

I love Billy man. Criminally underrated guitarist. The Cult is in my top 5 of all time.

[Jllyrol]

I could listen to Billy talk all day. He’s so interesting, and he tells great stories.

[stuartlaslett]

Fantastic player. The Cult are a fantastic live band. He gets a great sound from his Les Paul's and the White Falcon.

[scottkidwellmusic]

Somehow, as a teenager in the mid-80s, I'd missed hearing/ hearing of Billy. I distinctly remember the feeling of hearing those first few notes from "Fire Woman" and I was hooked. Down the rabbit hole.
Billy Duffy is still one of my favorite guitarists/ musicians.
Thanks! 🙏

[robholland]

Met him in a pub once. Such a gent. Sat with us for around 20mins or so.

[frankie]

Watched him and the Cult in Melbourne last night, absolutely killed it on guitar, wonderful musician and the group as a whole is well worth seeing.

[rexnavarro]

I've been a fan of Billy Duffy from his days in Theatre of Hate - Death Cult - The Cult. To me Billy will always be associated with his Gretsch White Falcon. But, you cannot deny the sound he yields with his Gibson Les Paul (Give a listen to their albums "Electric and Sonic Temple). Plus he has a real cool Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Junior single cut in TV yellow made specifically for him among his collection of guitars. “This one goes back to an offshoot of the Camp Freddy band and we played a party at on a stage in the parking lot of the Gibson Guitar Custom Shop in Nashville, Tennessee. It was a bunch of friends having fun, making music including guitar players Billy Morrison, Jerry Cantrell and me plus Franky Perez singing. Gibson flew us out there and we played a bunch of cover songs and we each got to pick a guitar that Gibson would make for us in the Custom Shop. I chose the TV Yellow Les Paul Junior and the guy who actually made it handed it to me and I played it in the gig there and then.

[lueysixty-six]

Genius idea! I'm putting my name and details on paper inside ALL my guitars - especially my 2 Gibsons!

Genius!

[sofarimimmortal]

I could pretty much listen him to tell these stories all day.

[cbponcho]

Cool Guy!!
Years ago (mid/late 90s) The Cult played at HOB / Nola. Me & my gf (at that time) hung out at bar after the show. Low & behold Billy came up at the end of the bar & he ordered a drink & I told the bartender “hey what he ordered it’s on me”. We raised each other’s drink & that was the coolest thing EVER!!!
Never got to meet him close up :(

[bigmaxy]

I have had the pleasure of being front row, right side for the Cult and going face to face with his stage rig. It's an experience.

[thechevynova]

Saw him with the cult back in late 80's early 90's at the Boston Garden. They rocked it for sure. Great show, Awesome guitarist, Legendary guitars!

[hoosfoosfull]

Electric completely stands out as unusual for the times during which it was released and hasn't aged a day.

[wizaxed]

Great musician. Wow, first Gibson is a LP Custom. So cool. My first Gibson was a LP Special SL. $600 on eBay. Flat slab of wood...actually sounds pretty good with new pickups in it. I still have it.

[timtomasello]

PLEASE PLEASE Gibson give this man a signature guitar. I would love to see Billy Duffy have a natural top Les Paul Custom. Billy Duffy is such a fantastic guitar player. The Cult rocks!

[Legogreg]

I think it’s time we got a Duffy signature Les Paul Custom!!

[juliethomas]

Hi, Billy,
I can hear the song playing in the background! And l remember that was one of the songs that was Played at the Phoenix Toronto July 2012!!✨ I was upfront Dancing away and Staring at You and Your Beautiful Guitar!! WOW!! WHAT A FANTASTIC NIGHT!!
🥂🎶CHEERS 🎶 ✨
FRM Julie Thomas 💜 ONTARIO 🇨🇦 CANADA

[gjgp]

PLEASE, do a Riff Lords with this MASTER!
(And also with Slash <3)