And when they remerged in 1979 with Degello, they scored a massive hit with Cheap Sunglasses. But it was 1983s Eliminator that turned ZZ Top into MTV superstars. By 2004 they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame, which they truly deserved at this point and were very proud of, being inducted by Rolling Stones legend Keith Richards. In the meantime, the show must go on. [15] In 1983, ZZ Top released Eliminator, a bestselling record which made the band "bona fide pop stars", according to the Financial Times. Billy explained how Dusty would have wanted the band to continue playing and introduced his replacement Elwood Francis to the audience. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. Unlike many bassists, he did not learn to play guitar first. ZZ Top will not come to an end after bass player and singer Dusty Hill's death. In 2018, in what seemed like an apology, the band announced a six-day run of shows at The Venetian in Las Vegas. Heidi Parker For Dailymail.com According to his wife that was there when he passed, he was talking to her and passed away mid sentence. First concert i ever went to. All rights reserved. 'They await a speedy recovery and have him back pronto.'. In a Facebook post Wednesday, guitarist Billy Gibbons and drummer Frank Beard said Hill died in his sleep. It is not known if his death is related to his recovery from the injury. Springer was a politician, talk show host, podcaster and actor who was best known for his . He has never met me and doesnt know me but stepped in and did me really big and generous favor. He said he wanted to feel normal after spending this initial period of seven years touring the world. Actor Dustin Diamond, best known for playing the nerdy character Screech on teen sitcom "Saved By the Bell," died Monday at age 44. Dusty Hill was born on May 19, 1949 (age 73) in Dallas, Texas, United States. We were so blessed to share the stage with the great Dusty and ZZ Top many times, and if that wasnt rock & roll heaven, I dont know what is. Its awesome but at same time, a very touching tribute. Its likely that an untreated case of bursitis, thanks to previously broken shoulders and hips at his older age, would have led to an infection that was likely unnoticed and ended up being fatal. The news of his death was shared last week by his band mates. Hill performed alongside Beard and Gibbons and together they went on to have a string of hits and put out 15 studio albums. Although these issues did not necessarily lead to his death, they certainly affected Hills quality of life. Test: Which Metallica Song Describes Your Life? Kiss Paul Stanley Has 'Thoughts' About Parents Who Support Kids Gender Identities Hill was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of ZZ Top in 2004. [10], With Gibbons as the main lyricist and arranger, Hill played bass and keyboards and sang lead on some songs. The band introduced a live-in sound engineer known as Linden Hudson who worked closely with Gibbons as they had to complement some of the natural sounds of Hill and Beard with their synthetic drum machines and synths. appreciated. Id never heard of them before this Tucker Carlson Bashes Fox Nation in Leaked Video, Hill remained a quiet presence through it all, rarely granting interviews and letting Gibbons serve as the groups mouthpiece. Similarly, hearing that a member of your favorite band has passed can conjure the complete opposite emotions and be totally gutting for fans. What led to demise of renowned American musician Joe Michael 'Dusty Their top hits from that were La Grange and Jesus Just Left Chicago. Fans tuned in for explorations of controversial topics and for his controversial guests, who often ended up throwing chairs and brawling. God Bless you Dusty, IN 1974 I was 22 and met up with a guy from Dallas while we were riding motorcycles from Texas to Calif. I just wanted to feel normal, Hill said in 2019. If you change your mind, go to Notifications in the menu to enable browser notifications. Dusty was amazing. He was 72. Dusty gave me the directive. A wordsmith with a keen interest in the history behind the musicians - Erik is our key Rocks Off storyteller. Part of the tour was canceled. It was around this time that the rumor started to spread that Hendrix, who was highly coveted at the time as a guitarist, admitted that he wasnt the best guitarist in the world on The Dick Cavett Show. [5] He said he once played more complicated bass parts, but came to prioritize composition over complexity: "Sometimes you don't even notice the bass I hate that in a way, but I love that in a way. [26] Hill's wife later said that he was looking to get more physical therapy for his chronic bursitis. Feel free to email me if you have any suggestions. Theyre not for the public to pick over and dissect. Someone once asked me to describe my tone, and I said it was like farting in a trash can. Sensational TV show host Jerry Springer died in his Chicago home on April 27, 2023. And even though their success began to fizzle out in the Nineties, the band never stopped touring and always maintained a huge following. read: Billy Gibbons Explains Whether ZZ Top Considered Retiring After Dusty Hill Died Its a clich and sounds so simplistic, but its down to the three of us genuinely enjoying playing together, Hill explained to Classic Rock in 2010. The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time Dusty Hill of ZZ Top performs July 26, 2017, in Glasgow, Scotland. I like the humor in that.. Billy Gibbons and Frank Beard of the Texas-based trio issued a statement to Fox News writing: "We are saddened by the news today that. Among their most famous hits are La Grange, Tush and Gimme All Your Lovin.. Dusty died in his sleep on Wednesday, July 28, 2021, at his home in Houston, Texas. We want to hear it. [23] According to Gibbons, "Dusty emphatically grabbed my arm and said, 'Give Elwood the bottom end, and take it to the Top.' Fans were later left shocked and rather dismayed to hear that Dusty Hill had passed away in his sleep on the 27th of July 2021, not long after he was forced to leave the tour. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I will always listen to you, as will anyone who ever wanted to rock out, and we will all be moved.". Diamond died just weeks after being diagnosed with stage 4 small cell carcinoma, a type of cancer that commonly occurs in the lungs but can also originate in the prostate or gastrointestinal tract. He was the bassist of the band ZZ Top but was also its secondary lead vocalist, alongside main singer and frontman Billy Gibbons. A source close to Dusty tells TMZ things had gotten so bad recently, he had to stop touring because of a hip injury, so he went home early to recover, and that's when he died. As you can see, Dusty is playing bass as he sits down on a large speaker and we're told he was sitting like this for the entire show and had to be helped off the stage because he couldn't walk on his own. Dusty Hill's Life Path Number is 2 as per numerology. "Man am I sad to hear this," Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea said in statement. Dusty Hill's Death - Rocksoffmag And after all this time, we all know what winds up the others and what makes them the people they are., Hill grew up in Dallas, Texas, and began playing bass when he was 13. [5] Hill described his tone as "big, heavy, and a bit distorted because it has to overlap the guitar. Dusty Hills death in 2021 almost caused the legendary rock band to cancel their plans for a 16th album. "So unique. As you may know, Dusty Hill passed away at the age of 72 and the band announced his death fromZZ Tops Instagram account. In 1975, Hill sang lead vocal on "Tush", the band's first Top 20 hit and one of its most popular songs. Their hit singles from this period, "Cheap Sunglasses" and "Pearl Necklace", showed a more modern sound. His wife Charleen McCrory shared a post breaking her silence for the first time since his passing. According to bandmates Billy Gibbons and Frank Beard, Hill passed away in his Houston, Texas, home. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. His death was announced by ZZ Top singer Billy and Frank in a statement released to the band's Instagram. 10:28 PM EDT, Wed July 28, 2021. Dusty also left a grieving wife, Charleen McCrory, behind. ZZ Top: Bearded bassist Dusty Hill dies in his sleep at 72 This video has surfaced after ZZ Top have paid tribute to Hill as they played their first concert since his passing. Everything is bigger in Texas. But I think it was a real challenge, by throwing in the towel, it might have caught up with him. While Recycler returned to their older sound by keeping the guitar as the main driver, moving away from synths and drum machines, it seemed to cut out the fans they had generated from their 80s synth phase. ZZ Top Bassist Dusty Hill Dead at 72 - Taste of Country Hill joined not long after, staying with ZZ Top for more than five decades, until his death. As a child, he began performing music with his brother, Rocky Hill. "[7], Hill, Rocky, and the future ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard played in local Dallas bands the Warlocks, the Cellar Dwellers, and American Blues. One of my favorite group. 'Duck Dynasty' star Phil Robertson recalls speaking at Dusty Hill's On Thursday, remaining . Listening to the radio I heard ZZ Top and instantly fell in love with the style of music. 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. Ann Thompson of member station WVXU reports. He was 72. I am sure l will not have the chance again. And of course I said, health is number one. As some of you know, Dusty Hill died in his sleep at his home on July 27, 2021. They will, with their guitar tech Elwood Francis, who will replace, Axl Rose Recalls Lisa Marie Presleys Struggle After Losing Her Son, Duran Durans Andy Taylor Opens Up About His Battle With Stage, Keith Richards Bears Good News About Rolling Stones Future, Neal Schons Wife Reveals Two Members Are Against Reunion With Gregg, Interview With Michael Amott (Arch Enemy), Armies, Your First Goal Is Power Metal: Sabaton Interview, Opeth Interview: Talked With Fredrik Akesson. Billy Gibbons broke his silence about the issue and commented on it. Don't worry! In an interview with Variety,Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top talked about how his bandmate Dusty Hill knew that there was something unusual with him right before he passed away. 'Saved by the Bell' star Dustin Diamond dies at 44 after lung cancer Raised on a diet of 60s and 70s rock, Erik is a Hi-Fi enthusiast with a musical taste broader than a barn door. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. Dusty Hill, Long-Bearded Bassist for ZZ Top, Dies at 72 In the process of a restoration project, and having gold leaf done with ZZ Top logo on the tank for my best friend who was killed on this bike by a drunk driver. On Thursday, remain Keep reading to find out! At this time, Rocky wanted to focus on "straight blues", while Dusty wanted the band to rock more. Always a gentleman from the days of us opening for them through the recent days of them opening for us," Stanley said. Go do your thing. What was Dusty Hill's cause of death? | The Sun That little ol' band from Texas is now, sadly, littler. 2023 Rolling Stone, LLC. You may have even seen him on screen in various appearances such as Back to the Future Part III and on Deadwood.. [23] Hill had already recorded bass and vocals for ZZ Top's upcoming album. Gibbons was already deep in the Houston music scene, so organizing shows and finding a manager wasnt hard during the bands infancy. Lets face it, you dont necessarily pass away from a broken shoulder or broken hip. Most bass players are guitar players first, he told writer Gary Graff in 2016. Hill was the lead bass player and secondary lead vocalist for he super group which has the hit song Legs. US day News doesn't confirm or refuse this reason for his death, but we are waiting for more official information, so stay with us. You were and will always be the baddest bassist of all time, love you, may you rest in peace, hope to see you again someday, my prayers go out to your family, THE Best Band Ever!!!!! In 1968, he and the drummer Frank Beard joined the guitarist Billy Gibbons in ZZ Top; they went on to release albums including the bestselling Eliminator (1983). To top off the 80s they released Recycler. Dusty Hill, bassist for iconic rock group ZZ Top, dies at 72 - NBC News Injected with so-called vaccine to be safe on tour? I heard a couple try to relate his death to the COVID vaccine, but as a physician, I can tell you that there is absolutely no evidence of sudden death secondary to the vaccine (according to mountains of peer-reviewed scientific data, not the unsubstantiated claims of random, non-scientist conspiracy theorists), Your email address will not be published. To complete the sign up process please verify your email address by clicking on the link that has been sent to you previously speficifed email. RIP to a true Rock n Roll legend.". This gave them exposure to a wider audience in Europe and specifically England, the home of their previous record label, which helped them gain a lot of live performances and TV appearances. And I could tell that he was moving a little slow. ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons on 'Keeping Chin Up' After Dusty Hill's Death He declined to say if he was a Republican or Democrat, and said: "I just tell them that I'm a Texan. [8] From 1966 to 1968, American Blues played the Dallas-Fort Worth-Houston circuit. Dusty Hill sand both lead and backing vocals for ZZ Top. This horrible dichotomy occurred for ZZ Top fans recently, as the vocalist and bassist, and founding member of the infamous bearded group, passed away in his sleep in 2021 shortly after the band announced a new album. After releasing a few singles previous bassist Lanier Greig was replaced with Billy Etheridge who played with another Houston native, Stevie Ray Vaughan, who would later become another tragic death in the Houston rock scene. Prior to even starting ZZ Top Gibbons was already an influential character in the scene, but they arguably influenced generations of modern rockers with their guitar-heavy sound. In 2004, ZZ Top was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. God Bless you Dusty and RIP, Had the pleasure of sitting in several times on drums with Billy and Dusty at The Cellar (Houston, TX) back in the 70s. ", "Dusty Hill death: ZZ Top bassist dies aged 72", "Dusty Hill Insisted ZZ Top Not Break Up Following His Death", "Dusty Hill's Bass and Vocals Will Be on Next ZZ Top Album", "The Day ZZ Top's Dusty Hill Shot Himself in the Stomach", "ZZ Top's Iconic Bassist Dusty Hill Dies at 72", "Dusty Hill's Widow Thanks Fans for 'Outpouring of Love', "ZZ Top's Dusty Hill: the world of music pays tribute", "BBC Radio 4 - Last Word, Sir Graham Vick (pictured), Carmel Budiardjo, Piers Plowright, Dusty Hill", "Ep 323: Phil Prepares to Give Dusty Hill's Eulogy & Jase Destroys the House to Kill a Fly", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dusty_Hill&oldid=1147238706, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 29 March 2023, at 17:32. This album included La Grange, perhaps their most famous song to date, about a brothel in La Grange called Chicken Ranch. Billy Gibbons: Why ZZ Top Will Not End After Dusty Hill's Death rest in peace dusty hill jesus just left chicago and iknow he picked you up on the way back to heaven. All Rights Reserved. Required fields are marked *. ZZ Top's Dusty Hill, the long-bearded bassist for the million-selling Texas blues rock trio known for such hits as "Legs" and "Gimme All Your Lovin'," has died at age 72.