ZZ Top bassist Dusty Hill (born Joseph Michael Hill) has died. He was 72 years old. No cause of death has been publicly revealed, but we do know that he passed away in his sleep.
The band revealed the news themselves on social media about an hour ago. Their statement reads in full:
“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”
On July 23, the band reported that Hill was heading home from tour to deal with a hip issue. Elwood Francis, the band’s “trusted guitar tech of the past two decades,” filled in on slide guitar, bass and harmonica during his absence. “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,” they said.
ZZ Top are supposed to perform tonight in Simpsonville, SC, and have tour dates scheduled nearly continuously through the middle of December. It isn’t presently clear what the status of tonight’s show or the upcoming tour dates are.