ZZ Top founding member Dusty Hill dies in his sleep at home in Texas at age 72
ZZ Top founding member Dusty Hill dies in his sleep at home in Texas at age 72… after dropping out of several shows due to a hip injury
One of the founding members of the legendary 1970s rock group ZZ Top died this week.
Dusty Hill, a bassist and vocalist for the band, passed away in his sleep while at home in Houston, Texas, according to his bandmates, Billy Gibbons and Frank Beard, who shared the news on Wednesday.
This comes after the musician had to drop out of recent ZZ Top shows when he was taking care of a hip injury this week. It is not known if his death is related to his recovery from the injury.
Sad loss: One of the founding members of the legendary 1970s rock group ZZ Top died this week. Dusty Hill, a bassist and vocalist for the band, died in his sleep while at home in Houston, Texas. Seen in 2010
‘We are saddened by the news today that our Compadre, Dusty Hill, has passed away in his sleep at home in Houston, TX,’ the note began.
‘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.”
As far as Dusty stepping away from recent shows, the band shared the news on social media.
The trio: The news was shared by his bandmates, Billy Gibbons and Frank Beard on Wednesday. Seen in 1984
‘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 stead,’ it was shared.
Dusty goes far back with the band. He was one of the founding members of ZZ Top in 1969.
Hill was the lead bass player and secondary lead vocalist for he super group which has the hit song Legs.
They became popular in the 1970s and did very well in the 1980s. Their signature was very long beards on two of the band members, Hill and Gibbons.
Tops: ZZ Top released Tres Hombres in 1973, which reached the No. 8 position on the Billboard 200 albums chart. Their top hits from that were La Grange and Jesus Just Left Chicago
Older days: Hill of ZZ Top relaxes in the dressing room after performing at the Georgia Southern College Coliseum on October 10, 1973 in Statesboro, Georgia
ZZ Top released Tres Hombres in 1973, which reached the No. 8 position on the Billboard 200 albums chart.
Their top hits from that were La Grange and Jesus Just Left Chicago.
On their album Eliminator they had the massive hits Gimme All Your Lovin’ and Sharp Dressed Man as well as Legs.
They had a total of 15 albums and won several awards.
And they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
There is a show scheduled for Wednesday night in Simpsonville, South Carolina. It is not yet known if it will continue.
Update: There is a show scheduled for Wednesday night in Simpsonville, South Carolina. It is not yet known if it will continue. Gibbons, left, and Hill, right, in 2014
The three of us: Their signature was very long beards on two of the band members, Hill and Gibbons. From left, Gibbons, Beard and Hill in 2016
