ZZ Top Bassist Dusty Hill Dead at 72

Founding ZZ Top member Dusty Hill has passed away at the age of 72, according to a statement released by the band.

“We are saddened by the news today that our Compadre, Dusty Hill, has passed away in his sleep at home in Houston, TX,” wrote surviving members Billy Gibbons and Frank Beard. ” 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.” The boys add, “You will be missed greatly, amigo.”

The group recently cancelled a show due to the health of a band member, and later released a statement that it was Hill, who was suffering a “hip issue.”

“The members of ZZ Top, Billy, and Frank, would like to share that Dusty, their fearless Bass player, is on a short detour back to Texas, to address a hip issue. They await a speedy recovery and have him back pronto.” They replaced Dusty with Elwood Francis … who’s been playing in his place.

Born in Dallas in 1949, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer played cello in high school, which made for an easy transition to electric bass.

The band recently celebrated their 50th anniversary at a San Antonio concert in February 2020.