Dusty Hill, bassist for ZZ Top, has died. He was 72.
Hill’s death was confirmed in a statement from Billy Gibbons and Frank Beard which reads, “We are saddened by the news today that our Compadre, Dusty Hill, has passed away in his sleep at home in Houston, TX. 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.”
Hill was the final member to join ZZ Top’s iconic lineup in 1970, which consisted of Gibbons and Beard. This lineup remained unchanged for over 50 years, one of the rare instances for any band in rock history.
From 1971-2012, ZZ Top released 15 studio albums and four live albums. They’ve sold over 25 million albums in the United States alone, with their biggest-selling album coming with 1983’s Eliminator, which has been certified Diamond (selling over 10 million copies) by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA.) The album featured some of ZZ Top’s most iconic singles, including “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” “Got Me Under Pressure,” “Sharp Dressed Man,” “TV Dinners” and “Legs,” which got an extra boost thanks to their accompanying music videos receiving high-rotation on MTV.
ZZ Top has received a number of honors over the years including being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004 and being named “Official Heroes of the State of Texas” by the Texas State House of Representatives in 2009. In 1991, May 4 was declared “ZZ Top Day” in Texas by then-governor Ann Richards.
