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Dusty Hill of ZZ Top is dead. The band made the announcement on its Facebook page. It said the bassist for the legendary rock group died at his home in Houston in his sleep. He was 72-years-old.
Dusty Hill was born Joseph Michael Hill in Dallas, Texas and grew up in Lakewood, East Dallas. With his brother Rocky Hill and future fellow member Frank Beard, he began his career playing with local bands from Texas like the Warlocks, the Cellar Dwellers, and American Blues. Dusty then moved to Houston with Frank Beard and joined Billy Gibbons to form ZZ Top in 1969. Since then, Dusty was the bassist and also the vocalist of a small number of their songs, Billy Gibbons performed the lead vocals of almost all of them. In addition, Dusty also appeared in films and television series including Back to the Future Part III (1990) and as himself in an episode of the eleventh season of King of the Hill (1997), in which Hank Hill is said to be Dusty's cousin.
Billy Gibbons and Frank Beard posted the following on Facebook:
"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.
Frank & Billy
Photo: Getty Images