Farewell Dusty Hill: ZZ Top Bassist Dies – 2021 – Tributes

ZZ Top: 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

Received this just now via text from @BillyFGibbons regarding passing of Dusty Hill @ZZTop . Billy told me okay to share w/fans: As Dusty said upon his departure, “ Let the show go on!”.and…with respect, we’ll do well to get beyond this and honor his wishes.

— Eddie Trunk (@EddieTrunk) July 28, 2021

Also this from @BillyFGibbons @ZZTop : Dusty emphatically grabbed my arm and said, “Give Elwood the bottom end and take it to the Top”.
He meant it, amigo. He really did.

— Eddie Trunk (@EddieTrunk) July 28, 2021

RIP Dusty Hill. God bless. pic.twitter.com/vAZrEAs5oe

— Peter Criss (@PeterCriss) July 29, 2021

pic.twitter.com/6YlgZdo9tR

— Billy Sheehan (@BillyonBass) July 28, 2021

ZZ Top Bassist Dusty Hill Dead at 72 – Rolling Stone..RIP buddy!! I’m far beyond words right now.. https://t.co/Yr5za5ocQL

— REX BROWN (@REJASFROMTEJAS) July 28, 2021

We are devastated to hear about Dusty’s passing. We were so blessed to share the stage with the great Dusty and ZZ Top many times, and if that wasn’t Rock and Roll heaven, I don’t know what is. The show we did together just last week would be his last. So heartbreaking. pic.twitter.com/oKKslJ2U9M

— John Fogerty (@John_Fogerty) July 28, 2021

Wow!!!!! What is going on in July???? I’m shocked to hear of the passing of Dusty Hill from the mighty Z.Z. Top!!!! R.I.P.🙏#ripdustyhill #zztop pic.twitter.com/d0tsvgbItI

— John Corabi (@Crablegs59) July 28, 2021

So Very Sad To Hear Dusty Has Passed…Beautiful Soul…🙏🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/QkodF7jTKx

— David Coverdale (@davidcoverdale) July 28, 2021

Just heard the passing of one of my favorite #bassists#dustyhill @zztop 💔💔💔The album fandango changed my life-
one side studio cuts the other side live at the Texas T-bowl!
Thank you Dusty for instilling in me the almighty groove
Is king
RIP #bassman #thankyou #L&R
SM pic.twitter.com/w6Qu4A6791

— Sean McNabb (@SeanMcNabbLA) July 28, 2021

Had a whisky for Joey last night. Will have one for Dusty this evening. At this rate I’ll be back to where I left off, or just die of a broken heart.

— Ginger Wildheart (@GingerWildheart) July 28, 2021

I’m deeply saddened by the loss of my friend #DustyHill. A great musician and a rock icon. My condolences and prayers go out to his wife Charlene, his family, and to Billy, Frank and to the entire @ZZTop organization. pic.twitter.com/quuLx1CpXg

— Christopher Cross (@itsMrCross) July 28, 2021

WOW! Dusty Hill. What an icon. @ZZTop ’s bassist forever. So unique. Always a gentleman from the days of us opening for them through the recent days of them opening for us. I don’t know what to say but “Thank you” and “Rest however you damn well choose!” https://t.co/tHfjLy1xbj

— Paul Stanley (@PaulStanleyLive) July 28, 2021

RIP Dusty Hill

Deepest sympathy to the ZZ Top family. “Great artists never die”! pic.twitter.com/qkJEwaB5wH

— Lita Ford (@litaford) July 28, 2021

It’s with heavy heart that I have to say goodbye to one member of That Lil’ Ol Band From Texas: RIP Dusty Hill from ZZ Top. I have loved this band since I was 14 & they are without doubt the coolest band on the planet! My condolences to his family, Frank & Rev. Billy G pic.twitter.com/mSTLZ7Id1y

— Paul Young (@PaulYoungParlez) July 28, 2021

Damn it’s been a BRUTAL month for musician deaths…Heaven just obtained the most eclectic band ever assembled 😔
RIP Joey Jordison (Drums)
RIP Dusty Hill (Bass)
RIP Mike Howe (Vocals)
RIP Jeff LaBar (Guitar)
RIP Gary Corbett (Keys)
RIP Robby Steinhardt (Violin)
RIP Biz Markie pic.twitter.com/G1nD9SxPiQ

— Mike Portnoy 🤘 (@MikePortnoy) 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

Very saddened to hear about the passing of Dusty Hill. ZZ Top are such a crucial part of American rock & roll history. You always think these legends will be around forever… pic.twitter.com/tk9ExuZxrS

— del james (@deljamesgang) July 28, 2021

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

We are saddened to hear of the passing of Dusty Hill. Thank you for the years of music, rock, and funky bass licks. Rest in Power Dusty Hill, there will never be another like you. Our condolences to Dusty's friends, family and fans. We are thinking of all of you. pic.twitter.com/dQVwJJTrTS

— Gibson (@gibsonguitar) July 28, 2021

WWE is saddened to learn that Dusty Hill of ZZ Top passed away at the age of 72.

WWE extends its condolences to Hill’s family, friends and fans. https://t.co/8hxYBD59qy

— WWE (@WWE) July 28, 2021

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

While working at West Coast Video here in Houston in the early '90s, #DustyHill was a customer. I didn't want to fan out, so I asked for his ID as he came to the counter. Both times, he kind of glanced at me over his sunglasses & beard with a look of "Are you KIDDING?" 😂 #ZZTop pic.twitter.com/P1F8285cOn

— Bob Ruggiero (@BobRuggiero2) July 28, 2021

R.I.P. #DustyHill My deepest condolences to his family and friends. Thanks for the music and memories! #zztop pic.twitter.com/ZiUTZHivX1

— Bob Zilla (@BOBZ1LLA) July 28, 2021

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A post shared by Dimebag Darrell (@dimebagdarrell)

Rest peacefully Dusty Hill! 😢💔

— Tony Franklin (@FretlessMonster) July 28, 2021

The Doors team is saddened to hear about the passing of @ZZTop's Dusty Hill. RIP.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images. pic.twitter.com/5VbuySEx3o

— The Doors (@TheDoors) July 28, 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

I’m sickened by the passing of Dusty Hill! He was the glue in the ZZ Top sound. RIP & Thank you🙏👈👀@ZZTop

— Mark Kendall (@MarkKendall_GW) July 28, 2021

ZZ Top – Cheap Sunglasses 1980 https://t.co/zINadRemkI via @YouTube

— Vernon Reid (@vurnt22) July 28, 2021

Dusty Hill, bassist for ZZ Top passed away. Man I loved #zztop. One of the first rock concerts I ever went to was that tour when they shared the stage with a tremendous buzzard, and a gigantic steer that rose up from underneath the stage. Rest in peace Dusty. You were bad ass. pic.twitter.com/GVtyUPvfVN

— Perry Farrell (@perryfarrell) July 29, 2021

I told myself a while back that I’d missed seeing too many bands when I had the chance and when I got the opportunity to see ZZ Top who I somehow had missed seeing live my entire life, I couldn’t pass it up. I can’t believe it wound up being Dusty’s last show. Rest easy boss…. pic.twitter.com/eGTIWfsQph

— Tony Higbee (@tonyhigbee) July 29, 2021

A legend. May he Rest In Peace and rock the heavens. https://t.co/Ds1sGSIREm

— Dan Rather (@DanRather) July 29, 2021

For many of us, @ZZTop has defined what a great power trio could do & for how long they could do it well. #RIPDustyHill & as one of a million fans, I Thank You. pic.twitter.com/TMg78wN7iH

— David Wild (@Wildaboutmusic) July 28, 2021

Sad to hear that Dusty Hill, bassplayer for the legendary ZZtop, passed away. One of the VERY few bands that have been around for so long and were still in the original line up. Not anymore…R.I.P. legend..🎸☠️😔#dustyhill #zztop pic.twitter.com/iEgh9OuUnq

— adrian vandenberg (@Adriandenberg) July 29, 2021

R.I.P. Dusty Hill the solid bassist for ZZ Top, we toured with them during the Eliminator record and they were very good to us, my sympathies to the band and Dusty Hill’s family….🙏

— Felix Hanemann (@Felix_Zebra) July 28, 2021

A sad day in rock history. I am gutted to hear about the sudden passing of my friend Dusty. He will be remembered with love. Condolences to his wife Charleen, family and friends. – Paul pic.twitter.com/SeyLrK9Wcu

— Paul Rodgers (@_paulrodgers) July 29, 2021

For more than 5 decades Dusty Hill held down the low end for legendary rockers ZZ Top, his playing & singing the perfect foil for Billy Gibbons. We were honored to induct him & the band into to our #GCHollywood Rockwalk on August 18, 1994.

What are your favorite Dusty memories? pic.twitter.com/HPrGq3FnGk

— Guitar Center (@guitarcenter) July 29, 2021

Sorry to lose a great bass player and part of an iconic American band. Our heart goes out to his family, Billy Gibbons, Frank Beard and friends of the legendary Dusty Hill. Rest In Peace!!! pic.twitter.com/N4kjnUCe4d

— Aerosmith (@Aerosmith) July 29, 2021

R.I.P Dusty Hill🙏 pic.twitter.com/OzxhVMblY5

— Keith Richards (@officialKeef) July 29, 2021

Sorry to hear about Dusty Hill, greatly missed, a crucial part of the unique ZZ Top sound. pic.twitter.com/72GDzrXcZz

— Tony Iommi (@tonyiommi) July 29, 2021