Dusty Hill, the longtime bassist for rock band ZZ Top, died today in his sleep at home in Houston. He was 72. Hill had recently suffered a hip injury that prompted his departure from the band’s 021-22 tour of North America, which was set to include a Las Vegas residency.

Hill’s passing was announced by bandmates Billy Gibbons and Frank Beard in an Instagram post: “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”

ZZ Top was formed in 1969 in Houston, with Hill playing alongside guitarist Gibbons and drummer Beard. Long considered the rock band with the longest-tenured original lineup, ZZ Top released 15 studio albums during its career — including half live/half-studio album Fandango! — selling more than 25 million records in the U.S. alone. Seven of their LPs, including two hits compilations, are platinum or multiplatinum, with four others going gold. The group was also featured in the 2019 documentary ‘ZZ Top: That Little Ol’ Band from Texas,’ which scored a Grammy nom for Best Music Film.

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