ZZ Top Bassist Dusty Hill Dies Aged 72 - TheRockFix.com
ZZ Top Bassist Dusty Hill Dies Aged 72

Dusty Hill (Image: Facebook)

ZZ Top Bassist Dusty Hill Dies Aged 72

3 years ago | July 29, 2021 | Written By

Blues rocker Dusty Hill, the bassist of ZZ Top, has died aged 72.

Fellow bandmates, Billy Gibbons and Frank Beard, confirmed Hill’s passing, saying that he died in his sleep at his home in Houston, Texas.

“We are saddened by the news today that our Compadre, Dusty Hill, has passed away in his sleep at home in Houston, TX.” their statement reads. “We, along with legions of ZZ Top fans around the world, will miss your steadfast presence, your good nature and enduring commitment to providing that monumental bottom to the ‘Top’. We will forever be connected to that “Blues Shuffle in C.” You will be missed greatly, amigo. Frank & Billy”

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The news comes after Hill recently suffered from a hip injury, which saw the band announce that he would not be able to play some upcoming shows. There have been no further details on the cause of death.

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Born Joseph Michael Hill on May 19, 1949, in the late 60s the bassist started playing guitar alongside his brother Rocky Hill and fellow ZZ Top member Frank Beard, performing with several local Dallas bands including The Warlocks, The Cellar Dwellers, and American Blues.

In 1969, ZZ Top was founded, playing their first live concert the following year. Over their 52 year journey, the band released 15 studio albums and four live albums, being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004.

Hill has also made cameo appearances in a few shows, including Back to the Future Part III, HBO’s Deadwood, along with the animated television series King of the Hill.

Kicking off their tour less than two weeks ago, the tour – dubbed “A Celebration With ZZ Top” – is scheduled to continue in August with dates across America. When ZZ TOP announced the tour, Hill commented “They shut the door right after our 50th-anniversary tour and now it’s back open. We’re excited to get out there and play our music for everybody.”

Following the news of Hills death, SiriusXM radio personality Eddie Trunk shared a message he received from ZZ TOP frontman Billy Gibbons about the group’s future plans, tweeting “Received this just now via text from @BillyFGibbons regarding passing of Dusty Hill @ZZTop . Billy told me okay to share w/fans: As Dusty said upon his departure, ‘Let the show go on!’.and…with respect, we’ll do well to get beyond this and honor his wishes.”

Billy Gibbons recently told Classic Rock magazine that the band were working on a new ZZ Top’s album after he had completed work on his latest solo LP, ‘Hardware’, saying “While we were working on ‘Hardware’, I was sending the roughs that might not have been fitting for that but were certainly fitting for the ZZ thing. I get to tiptoe out of ‘Hardware’ and back into ZZ, which is underway now.”

Following the announcement of his death, fans and fellow musicians paid tribute across social media.

Kiss’ frontman Paul Stanley wrote “WOW! Dusty Hill. What an icon. @ZZTop’s bassist forever. So unique. Always a gentleman from the days of us opening for them through the recent days of them opening for us. I don’t know what to say but “Thank you” and “Rest however you damn well choose!””

Ozzy Osborne tweeted “Rest In Peace #DustyHill of @ZZTop. My thoughts go out to @BillyfGibbons and Frank Beard and all the #ZZTop fans around the world”

The band Garbage said “Dusty Hill 💔 Rest in Rock. Our sincere condolences to all who knew and loved him ⁦@ZZTop”

The Rock Fix sends our condolences to Dusty’s family and friends at this time.

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