ZZ Top’s Dusty Hill Dies at 72, Remembered by Band Mates, Peers and Musicians

Dusty Hill, bassist of Texas rock legends ZZ Top, has died at the age of 72 , according to a statement released by his band mates Billy Gibbons and Frank Beard on Wednesday.

The band’s social media pages shared the following:

The message:

“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 joined ZZ Top in 1970 and remained a key member of the group for more than 50 years prior to his passing.

Rolling Stone put up a story featuring Hill and his band mates performing “Gimme All Your Lovin” at his final ZZ Top concert, which took place on July 18 in Louisville, Kentucky:

After word of his passing spread around the internet, many of Hill’s musical colleagues, friends, peers and those he influenced paid their respects on social media. The list of those mourning his passing was lengthy, and included:

Ozzy Osbourne:

Rest In Peace #DustyHill of @ZZTop. My thoughts go out to @BillyfGibbons and Frank Beard and all the #ZZTop fans around the world pic.twitter.com/FLu71RF62V

— Ozzy Osbourne (@OzzyOsbourne) July 28, 2021

Paul Stanley of KISS:

WOW! Dusty Hill. What an icon. @ZZTop ’s bassist forever. So unique. Always a gentleman from the days of us opening for them through the recent days of them opening for us. I don’t know what to say but “Thank you” and “Rest however you damn well choose!” https://t.co/tHfjLy1xbj

— Paul Stanley (@PaulStanleyLive) July 28, 2021

Smashing Pumpkins’ Billy Corgan posted on his Instagram Story, which he then doubled on Twitter:

RIP Dusty Hill pic.twitter.com/L0NNclWW0G

— William Patrick Corgan (@Billy) July 28, 2021

Lita Ford:

RIP Dusty Hill

Deepest sympathy to the ZZ Top family. “Great artists never die”! pic.twitter.com/qkJEwaB5wH

— Lita Ford (@litaford) July 28, 2021

Queen’s Brian May:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Brian Harold May (@brianmayforreal)

The Allman Brothers Band:

The Allman Brothers Band Family is saddened to learn of the recent passing of fellow musical traveler Dusty Hill, bassist extraordinaire of our friends ZZ Top. pic.twitter.com/ZZqq9xSQzW

— Allman Brothers Band (@allmanbrothers) July 28, 2021

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath:

Sorry to hear about Dusty Hill, greatly missed, a crucial part of the unique ZZ Top sound. pic.twitter.com/72GDzrXcZz

— Tony Iommi (@tonyiommi) July 29, 2021

Bootsy Collins:

Danggit! We lost another loving Giant legend of the Rock & Roll Empire, Mr. Dusty Hill.🙏😧 Prayer’s going out to his Family & Friends…Thx u for blessing us all with ur gifts. R.I.P. pic.twitter.com/ks06yMtwjq

— Bootsy Collins (@Bootsy_Collins) July 29, 2021

The Doors:

The Doors team is saddened to hear about the passing of @ZZTop's Dusty Hill. RIP.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images. pic.twitter.com/5VbuySEx3o

— The Doors (@TheDoors) July 28, 2021

Garbage:

Dusty Hill 💔 Rest in Rock. Our sincere condolences to all who knew and loved him ⁦@ZZTop⁩ . pic.twitter.com/ITtAw8Pjps

— Garbage (@garbage) July 28, 2021

Gibson Guitars:

We are saddened to hear of the passing of Dusty Hill. Thank you for the years of music, rock, and funky bass licks. Rest in Power Dusty Hill, there will never be another like you. Our condolences to Dusty's friends, family and fans.  We are thinking of all of you. pic.twitter.com/dQVwJJTrTS

— Gibson (@gibsonguitar) July 28, 2021

Hill recently underwent treatment for a hip injury that forced the postponement of some ZZ Top events, though it’s unclear at this point whether that had any connection with his death.

Last week, the band shared this on Facebook:

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.

Per Dusty’s request “The show must go on!”. With that directive, ZZ Top has put the services of Mr. Elwood Francis, their trusted guitar tech of the past two decades, into play with his slide guitar, bass guitar, and harmonica playing in full swing.

“And with Elwood to our right, rest assured ZZ Top will deliver their good time, signature show”, said Billy F Gibbons. “Billy’s big guitar, crushing drums from Mr. Beard, and Elwood securing the bottom end continues the delivery with those famous three chords we all dig”.

May Dusty Hill rest in peace.