Dusty Hill of ZZ Top dead at 72

Dusty Hill, bassist and secondary lead vocalist for legendary Southern blues-rock trio ZZ Top, has died, according to a post on the band’s official Facebook page by his bandmates of the past 52 years, Billy Gibbons and Frank Beard. Hill was 72 years old.

"We are saddened by the news today that our Compadre, Dusty Hill, has passed away in his sleep at home in Houston, Texas,” read the band’s statement. “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.”

While no cause of death was given, the sad news comes just five days after Hill was forced to pull out of a ZZ Top concert in New Lenox, Ill., due to an injury (the group’s longtime guitar technician, Elwood Francis, filled in). At that time, the band released a statement saying their “fearless bass player” was on a “short detour back to Texas, to address a hip issue,” but they expected a “speedy recovery” and to “have him back pronto,” adding, “Per Dusty's request, 'The show must go on!’” This was reported to be the first time that ZZ Top had ever played without Hill since 1969.

www.yahoo.com/entertainment/zz-top-bassist-and-rock-roll-hall-of-fame-inductee-dusty-hill-dead-at-72-195912270.html