Joseph Michael “Dusty” Hill was born in Dallas, Texas, May 19, 1949. He began singing for money with his older brother Rocky when he was 8. Dusty went to Woodrow Wilson High School where he played cello, listened to blues music and learned the bass to be in his brothers band.
Dusty, his brother and future drummer for ZZ Top, Frank Beard played together in several bands like the Warlocks, the Cellar Dwellers, and American Blues. In 1969 Dusty and Frank moved to Houston and joined
guitar/vocalist Billy Gibbons in the Houston psychedelic-rockers Moving Sidewalks. They formed ZZ Top and released their first single “Salt Lick”/”Miller’s Farm” in 1969.
In 1971 they would release their first album, ZZ Top’s First Album. 14 studio albums and after touring for over 50 years Dusty Hill has passed away July 27, 2021, in his sleep at home in Houston. He had been recently sidelined for a hip issue, but was scheduled to start playing again soon. Dusty was 72 years old. Besides playing bass and singing for ZZ Top he also appeared in the movie Back to the Future Part III and on the TV series Deadwood.
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’
Frank Beard and Billy Gibbons
I had great seats for ZZ Top, on the Expect No Quarter tour at the Fox Theater in Atlanta, November 28, 1980. What an incredible show. They even handed out cheap sunglasses.
