Very sad to hear of the passing of Dusty Hill, ZZ TOP's bass guitarist. He was just one year younger than me.
I've long had a soft spot for ZZ Top, despite never owning any of their albums. Nevertheless I've greatly respected their musicianship and unique sound and style.
My deepest sympathies to Dusty's family and to Billy Gibbons and Frank Beard, all of whom must be feeling the loss profoundly.
Living in Houston in the 1980s, I was just a mile away from a Tex-Mex place called Leo’s (closed Tuesdays). In there early days, ZZ Top would eat there often, as it was cheap eats. The restaurant had a ZZ Top room, which had loads of photos of the band, early albums & singles, as well as other memorabilia. Most of the waiters were bikers.
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I was lucky enough to see ZZ Top on the Deguello tour in 1980 at the Palace Theater in Waterbury CT. It was so hot in that place the walls were sweating and they tore that venue to bits. One of the very best power trios ever. RIP Dusty
That is sad news. The show went on, however, this past Friday night in Tuscaloosa, AL (about three hours south of my location), with long-time guitar tech Elwood Francis taking over for Dusty Hill as Dusty wanted it. https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.tuscaloosanews.com/amp/5422296001
I second that emotion. I was happy to see them get some well deserved success during their MTV video heyday but the first three albums are really where its at. Stripped down, almost minimalist approach. Godspeed Dusty! You done good!