ZZ Top bassist Dusty Hill dies in his sleep at 72

by Steve Newton on July 28th, 2021 at 12:51 PM

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Dusty Hill, the bassist who handled the bottom end for Texas blues-rockers ZZ Top for over 50 years, has died.

The sad news was posted on the band's Facebook page less than an hour ago.

"We are saddened by the news today that our Compadre, Dusty Hill, has passed away in his sleep at home in Houston, TX.," reads the message. "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"

The Dallas-born Hill hooked up with guitarist Billy F. Gibbons and drummer Frank Beard--ironically, the only member not to grow a long beard--in 1969. They performed their first concert together at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Beaumont, Texas, on February 10, 1970.

ZZ Top first found major success in 1973 with the release of their Tres Hombres album, which featured the hit "La Grange", a raucous boogie tune about a brothel on the outskirts of La Grange, Texas.

On a personal note, I remember buying that LP in a Chilliwack second-hand store for $2.99, and being blown away by Hill's thundering bass licks about eight seconds into the opening track, "Waitin' for the Bus", which he cowrote with Gibbons.

I also recall being impressed by Hill's singing on another Tres Hombres track, "Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers", in which he shared the lead vocals with Gibbons. Although Gibbons sang lead on most of ZZ Top's songs, with Hill doing backups, Hill did take the mike on another of the trio's most iconic tunes, "Tush".

ZZ Top has released 15 studio albums and sold an estimated 50-million albums worldwide. The band's most popular album, 1983's Eliminator, sold 10-million copies in the U.S. alone, and spawned the hits "Legs", "Sharp Dressed Man", and "Gimme All Your Lovin'".