Dusty Hill, the long-serving bassist of American rock-blues band ZZ Top, has died at the age of 72, his fellow band members have announced.
No cause of death was cited for Hill, who played bass for the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers from Texas for more than 50 years.
"We are saddened by the news today that our Compadre, Dusty Hill, has passed away in his sleep at home in Houston," said lead singer-guitarist Billy Gibbons and drummer Frank Beard in a post on the band's Facebook page.
"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'."
"You will be missed greatly, amigo," they added.
Hill was born in Dallas, Texas, in 1949. He joined ZZ Top in 1970, a year after they released their first single.
The three-musician lineup remained the same for more than half a century as ZZ Top progressed from heavy blues to its experimental synthesiser sound of the 1980s.
The trio became recognisable worldwide for their distinctive look: long beards, sunglasses and Stetson hats.
They also gained fame for their popular music videos, including Gimme All Your Lovin' and Sharp Dressed Man, going on to win three MTV Video Music Awards.
ZZ Top has released 15 studio albums, the most recent coming in 2012. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004.
Source: AFP
Here are some of the many tributes:
Just devastated to hear of the death of Dusty Hill. We knew each other since high school, when my then-boyfriend was the drummer in 1 of Dusty's early bands w his brother, Rocky. Spent many an evening at those early gigs together. RIPDusty #RIPDustyHill pic.twitter.com/HMmwv95s3Y
— Morgan Fairchild (@morgfair) July 28, 2021
A legend. May he Rest In Peace and rock the heavens. https://t.co/Ds1sGSIREm
— Dan Rather (@DanRather) July 29, 2021
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
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
RIP Dusty Hill
— Lita Ford (@litaford) July 28, 2021
Deepest sympathy to the ZZ Top family. "Great artists never die"! pic.twitter.com/qkJEwaB5wH
Dusty Hill was the kind of musician that could be in a world famous band, & be satisfied with making it work. Like Rick Laird, who also passed on recently, nobody seeming to notice. Getting it done with humility is the opposite of the narcissism that fuels modern music culture.
— Vernon Reid (@vurnt22) July 28, 2021
Very sad to hear of the passing of @zztop bass player and co-lead singer Dusty Hill. Legendary musician and all around great dude that has gone too soon! He will be sorely missed. Deepest condolences to his family, friends and fans. #RIPDustyHill pic.twitter.com/fTmXofqV9G
— Travis Tritt (@Travistritt) July 29, 2021
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
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
I am shocked.
— Danko Jones (@dankojones) July 28, 2021
R.I.P. to the MAN - Dusty Hill
Just shocked. pic.twitter.com/ndcx2nhwrn
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends today as they mourn this heartbreaking loss.
— City of Houston (@HoustonTX) July 28, 2021
Rest in peace #DustyHill #ZZTop https://t.co/8GyhYuUfWH
