We’ve lost yet another legend. Joe Michael (Dusty) Hill, co founder and bassist of the legendary ZZ Top, has passed away at the age of 72.
Hill’s roots were about as pure as it gets. With his mother even serving Elvis Presley in Memphis at a diner before he was famous. Hill soon moved to Texas and started jamming in the Dallas/Fort Worth scene in the mid sixties. At the tender age of 14. And while many of his peers were focused on popcorn pop, he was jamming on the blues. Making him an instant outsider in a conservative area. Also, having long, blue hair in the sixties probably didn’t help things. But it was on the outer fringes of counterculture where he met drummer Frank Beard. The two got along well. But after going ’round and ’round in the Dallas/Fort Worth circuit playing together, they decided to move south to the Houston area. This is where they eventually ended up with acid rock guitarist Billy Gibbons. After many ups and downs in both of their respective camps; Hill, Gibbons and Beard came together to form what would be called ZZ Top.
The name comes from the bands roots in the blues. But they were also one of the loudest, hard rocking bands of the late 60’s through mid 70’s. Which gave them an edge that transcended into unexpected popularity. Their third album ‘Tres Hombres,’ remains one of the biggest blues/rock records of all time. Fueled by the now legendary ‘La Grange.’ The band grew and grew, until a hiatus lead by Beard’s sober journey resulted in few years of non-production. But ZZ Top came out on the other side with new image, more updated hard rock sound and a will to dominate. And that’s exactly what they did. With Dusty Hill and Billy Gibbons sporting long ass beards and sunglasses. Giving them a mystique that still prevails to this day.
1983’s ‘Eliminator’ exploded. Three top ten hits, and a now diamond certified album. It remains ZZ Top’s most known and legendary release. If there’s one album to own by them, it’s ‘Eliminator.’ With Dusty Hill providing excellent, cool tenor harmonies and lead vox. He was always the higher voice between him and Gibbons. And his soulful wail, such as his ‘OH, YEAH!!’ from the hit ‘Cheap Sunglasses’ was his signature.
Hill’s bass style could be best described as non-egocentric. Not needy in the slightest. Prioritizing the song over showing off. Hill was more than capable of playing more complicated arrangements. But ZZ Top’s music never called for that. Hil has gone on record stating, ‘Sometimes you don’t even notice the bass. I hate that in a way, but I love it in a way. It’s a compliment, it means you’ve filled in everything and it’s right for the song. And you’re not standing out where you need to be.’ It was that style of playing matched with an equally cool exterior that made Hill a legend. And you know what? There’s a major discipline in the way Hill played bass. As performers, we’re always wanting attention and the spotlight; in one way or another. It takes discipline to be part of a team and collaborate without ego. Dusty Hill was a true master of that.
His legacy will forever live on. As more than just a bass player. An enigmatic figure of pop culture. A unique fixture in Rock ‘N Roll. He was truly one of a kind in a band that’s one of a kind. ZZ Top have opted to finished their current tour with Hill’s bass tech Elwood Francis. Which is what one of Dusty’s last requests was. You can catch them on tour this summer and fall. But it won’t be the same. ZZ Top are just one of those bands that needs all original members. Good thing they lasted over 50 years. And will continue to remain icons for the next 50 and beyond.
