Iconic ZZ Top Bassist, Dusty Hill, Passes Away At 72

Make room heaven, you’ve got a sharp dressed man who just so happens to be a beer drinker and hell raiser coming your way. Wednesday afternoon, band members from the legendary ZZ Top confirmed that bass player Dusty Hill passed away at the age of 72. A cause of death was not cited.

Hill slapped the bass for ZZ Top for more than 50 years. He’d been a mainstay with the band up until last weekend when it was announced that Hill would miss some upcoming shows because of a hip issue.

Bandmates Billy Gibbons and Frank Beard released a statement mourning Hill’s untimely passing: “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.”

ZZ Top bassist Dusty Hill, who played with the blues rock trio for over 50 years, has died at age 72. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004 and will be missed. pic.twitter.com/PxPQNryLbo

— Eric Alper 🎧 (@ThatEricAlper) July 28, 2021

Recognized for his signature beard, Hill’s bass was prominently featured in hit ZZ Top songs such as “Legs”, “Sharp Dressed Man”, “Gimmie All Your Lovin’ ” and a catalog of others. Members of the music industry quickly took to social media to pay tribute, including John Fogerty, who was amongst the last to share the stage with Hill:

We are devastated to hear about Dusty’s passing. We were so blessed to share the stage with the great Dusty and ZZ Top many times, and if that wasn’t Rock and Roll heaven, I don’t know what is. The show we did together just last week would be his last. So heartbreaking. pic.twitter.com/oKKslJ2U9M

— John Fogerty (@John_Fogerty) July 28, 2021

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

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

ZZ Top was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004.