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ZZ Top Members Billy Gibbons and Frank Beard Pen Emotional Letter After Death of Dusty Hill

On Wednesday afternoon, ZZ Top members Billy Gibbons and Frank Beard paid tribute to their bandmate Dusty Hill following his recent death.

As tributes and prayers roll in for the ZZ Top bassist, countless fans and other musicians have honored Hill on social media. Fans are sharing their memories of seeing the band perform over their decades-long career. And musicians are sharing stories of touring and hanging out with the legendary rocker. Yet many fans of the band have been waiting to hear from Hill’s bandmates, especially guitarist and frontman Billy Gibbons.

In a joint statement from Gibbons and drummer Frank Beard, the pair shared their sadness with fans over their dear friend’s death. The Houston, Texas trio has been performing together for more than 50 years. They shared some heartfelt thoughts in a Facebook post and said that Hill is already “missed greatly.”

“We are saddened by the news today that our Compadre, Dusty Hill, has passed away in his sleep at home in Houston, TX. Along with legions of ZZ Top fans around the world, we 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,” their touching Facebook post read.

ZZ Top Bassist Dusty Hill Passes Away at Age 72

The longtime ZZ Top member passed away at his home in Houston, Texas, according to a TMZ report. He died earlier today on July 28 at the age of 72.

The outlet also stated in their article that the bassist suffered from a hip-related issue recently. The band had to pause their current tour because of an undisclosed health issue at the time. The band shared details about it afterward in another Facebook post. On July 23, ZZ Tops’ social media account said that Hill returned to Houston for further treatment for a hip issue.

“The members of ZZ Top, Billy, and Frank, would like to share that Dusty, their fearless Bass player, is on a short detour back to Texas to address a hip issue,” the Facebook post read. “They await a speedy recovery and have him back pronto.”

Additionally, the band decided to continue the tour with an alternate lineup. Elwood Francis, ZZ Top’s guitar tech for the last 20 years, filled in at bass for Hill. The band shared that Hill himself directed them to continue the tour saying that “the show must go on.”

“And with Elwood to our right, rest assured ZZ Top will deliver their good time, signature show,” Billy Gibbons said. “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.”

Like most bands in the last year, ZZ Top had to bring any plans of touring to a halt because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore they were looking forward to getting back to venues to play for their legion of fans. The band has scheduled tour stops across the nation in July and August, and a headlining gig in September at Oklahoma’s Born & Raised festival.