ZZ Top bassist Dusty Hill dead at 72

The music world has taken a huge loss this week with Metal Church singer Mike Howe and former Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison. Unfortunately, as they say, things come in threes, ZZ Top bassist Dusty Hill has passed away. He was 72-years-old. The group’s Billy Gibbons and Frank Beard confirmed the news on social media with the following statement:

“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 greatly missed, amigo.”

Earlier this month the group held their first performance without Hill in over fifty-years due to having to return to Texas for a reported hip issue. Hill insisted the group should continue with the performance as they recruited longtime guitar tech Elwood Francis. While medical issues were raised, no official cause of death has been revealed at this time.

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

What a week 🙁 so sad to hear the passing of my friend, Mr. Dusty Hill of the mighty @ZZTop If you know me, you KNOW I absolutely love ZZ. I’ve had the honor and privilege to know Dusty pretty well. This one hurts. pic.twitter.com/uawgdxMoDk

— Mark Menghi (@MarkMenghi) July 28, 2021

What the hell is happening. Third day in a row. Rest In Peace Dusty Hill. #zztop pic.twitter.com/EJeItmV7Bg

— Nonpoint (@nonpoint) July 28, 2021

More tragic news in the world of rock: ZZ Top’s Bassist Dusty Hill Dead at 72 via @TMZ ⁦@ZZTop⁩ . https://t.co/yny97UQFSS

— Eddie Trunk (@EddieTrunk) July 28, 2021

Tough week in music. Damn.
#dustyhill #zztop #ripdustyhill https://t.co/gRKydbqTUw pic.twitter.com/XFODBiQ9sS

— Alex Skolnick (@AlexSkolnick) July 28, 2021

Smoke a fat one for Dusty Hill. Tragic. 52 years a rocker. A real one. A LIFER. So much zztop in all 3 of our lives growing up we knew we had to stay a power trio and that’s no lie. @ZZTop forever. pic.twitter.com/WyCKPSZ1TZ

— PRIMITIVE MAN (@PRIMITIVEMANE) July 28, 2021

I hate that my social media has become more of an obituary but such is life, young or old, we are but mere mortals when our time comes.

RIP to the GREAT Dusty Hill of @ZZTop. Thank you for the decades of music!! pic.twitter.com/IGNHDfxkBy

— Jeff Scott Soto (@jeffscottsoto) July 28, 2021