ZZ Top Bassist Dusty Hill Dead At 72; Band To Continue Extensive Tour

ZZ Top bassist Dusty Hill has died at age 72, the band announced on Wednesday.

Hill served in the Texas-based blues rock trio alongside members Billy F. Gibbons and drummer Frank Beard for over 50 years, having joined the group in 1970. ZZ Top achieved mainstream success with their classic hits “Sharp Dressed Man” and “Gimme All Your Lovin’.”

Hill recently suffered a hip injury that initially threatened to keep the band off the road from their extensive 2021-2022 arena tour of North America. Hill’s injury initially resulted in him missing several of the band’s early tour dates, subbing in guitar tech Elwood Francis as a temporary replacement for the bassist. It’s unclear whether his hip injury was the direct result of his passing, but it was less than a week since his sustained injury that Hill passed away in his home in Texas.

“We are saddened by the news today that our Compadre, Dusty Hill, has passed away in his sleep at home in Houston, TX,” Beard and Gibbons wrote on social media. “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.”

ZZ top has confirmed that they will continue its ongoing tour without Hill, per his wishes before he passed away, including their upcoming sold-out show at Salt Lake City, UT’s Red Butte Garden on August 23rd. The band has yet to announce Hill’s permanent replacement for the tour. For more information and a full list of tour dates, visit the band’s website.