Dusty Hill death – Billy Gibbons introduces Elwood Francis as ZZ Top take to stage for first time since bassist tragedy
ZZ Top bassist Dusty Hill has died after suffering hip issues — but his band member Billy Gibbons said the "show must go on" as the bassist will be replaced with Elwood Francis.
Speaking to Variety on Thursday afternoon, Gibbon's said: "The show must go on. Don’t forget it."
Elwood Francis is taking Hill's place as ZZ Top's guitarist, copying Hill's iconic beard as well.
Gibbon's interview comes as the remaining ZZ Top band members will resume their tour on Friday, Variety reported.
The 72-year-old rock icon passed away in his sleep at his home in Houston, Texas, the band confirmed on Wednesday.
Hill recently suffered from a hip injury that forced him to drop out of several shows over the past week. However, it is not clear if that is related to his sudden death.
Read our Dusty Hill live blog for the latest news and updates...
ZZ TOP’S BILLY GIBBONS TALKS ABOUT DUSTY HILL’S ‘SUDDEN’ DEATH
On Thursday, Variety spoke with Billy Gibbons, one of the remaining members of ZZ Top.
“Passing through the grieving process, I can tell you it’s no less than anyone else that loses a good friend or a close associate. And at the same time, knowing that this came up so suddenly — going to bed and not waking up… That was the luck of the draw. He was in, and he was out,” Gibbons said.
BOOTSY COLLINS: DUSTY WAS A 'LEGEND OF THE ROCK & ROLL EMPIRE'
Musician Bootsy Collins paid tribute to the late star.
"We lost another loving Giant legend of the Rock & Roll Empire, Mr. Dusty Hill," Collins wrote.
HALL OF FAME INDUCTION
ZZ Top was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, introduced by Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards.
“These cats are steeped in the blues, so am I,” Richards said.
He added: “These cats know their blues and they know how to dress it up.
“When I first saw them, I thought, I hope these guys are not on the run, because that disguise is not going to work.”
KISS SINGER PAUL STANLEY CALLED DUSTY HILL AN ICON
KISS singer Paul Stanley paid tribute to Dusty Hill as well.
"I don’t know what to say but 'Thank you' and 'Rest however you damn well choose!'" Stanley tweeted.
DUSTY WAS A JACK OF ALL MUSICAL TRADES
Joseph Michael “Dusty” Hill was an American musician, singer, and songwriter.
As one of the band’s founding members, Dusty was known as a jack of all trades as he played bass guitar, sang backing and lead vocals, and keyboards over the years.
ACTRESS MORGAN FAIRCHILD 'DEVASTATED' ABOUT DUSTY HILL'S DEATH
"Just devastated to hear of the death of Dusty Hill. We knew each other since high school, when my then-boyfriend was the drummer in 1 of Dusty’s early bands w his brother, Rocky," Fairchild wrote on Twitter.
WHO ARE DUSTY HILL’S CHILDREN?
At the time of his death, the legendary bassist was married to his long-time girlfriend, Charleen McCrory.
Despite McCrory and Hill’s decade-plus long relationship, the two never had children together.
However, Hill had a daughter, Charity Hill, from a previous relationship before his rock and roll days.
BANDMATES’ STATEMENT ON DUSTY HILL’S PASSING
“We are saddened by the news today that our Compadre, Dusty Hill, has passed away in his sleep at home in Houston, TX,” bandmates Billy Gibbons and Frank Beard wrote in a 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,’” Gibbons and Beard continued.
“We will forever be connected to that ‘Blues Shuffle in C.’ You will be missed greatly, amigo.”
BAND PREVIOUSLY DETAILED HILL’S HIP INJURY
Hill recently suffered from a hip injury that forced him to drop out of several shows over the past week.
At the time, the band let fans know about the change to their line-up, explaining that Elwood Francis, their longtime guitar tech, would be filling in for Dusty while he was out with his hip injury.
“The members of ZZ Top, Billy, and Frank, would like to share that Dusty, their fearless Bass player, is on a short detour back to Texas, to address a hip issue,” the statement said.
ZZ TOP PLAYED IN TUSCALOOSA ON FRIDAY
Fans posted pictures and videos from Friday's ZZ Top concert.
WHAT WAS DUSTY HILL’S NET WORTH?
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Hill had an estimated net worth of $60million.
His extensive worth comes from his career as a musician.
In the United States alone, ZZ Top has sold over 25 million albums over the years.
Their best-selling album is Eliminator that was released in March 1983, the album contains five hit singles that the band still performs today.
GIBBONS TALKED ABOUT ‘WATERWORKS’ AFTER HILL’S DEATH
Gibbons also talked about the waves of emotions he felt after Hill passed.
“I had a couple of moments with the waterworks coming and going, and I really felt a sense of relief. I said, ‘Gee whiz, maybe I am human after all.’
“This is coming from a very deep and glorious place, with respect to knowing that after 50 years with the guy, we were all joined at — no pun intended — joined at the hip.
“But knowing that we can take his wishes forward and give him all due respect… You know, he was adamant. He said, ‘I’m going to go down and see what’s up. In the meantime,’ he said, ‘the show must go on. Don’t forget it.’ And he was pointing his finger and shaking it,” Gibbons recalled.
GIBBONS SPOKE ON DUSTY HILL’S CAUSE OF DEATH
Gibbons was also asked about Dusty Hill’s cause of death, and he said it seems the star just died in his sleep.
“That’s about all they can determine. Let’s face it, you don’t necessarily pass away from a broken shoulder or broken hip. Although the attending physician had earlier warned him that bursitis was not uncommon, even arthritis, and they said it’s not a very comfortable place to be.
“And I could tell that he was moving a little slow. He said, ‘Boy, this shoulder and hip are really starting to become a problem.’ But, as of this juncture, yeah, it was off to dreamland and beyond,” Gibbons said.
‘ROUGH GO WITH BROKEN SHOULDER AND BROKEN HIP’
Gibbons went on to say that Hill did the first two dates of the tour with the band before taking some time off to focus on his health.
“Well, it’s no secret that over the past few years he had a pretty rough go with a broken shoulder, followed with a broken hip. And he had some problems with some ulcers.
“So he’s been kind of tiptoeing through keeping himself ship-shape, best he could. But I think that this was a real challenge. And by throwing in the towel, it might’ve caught up with him. Who knows?”
ZZ TOP’S BILLY GIBBONS TALKS ABOUT DUSTY HILL’S ‘SUDDEN’ DEATH
On Thursday, Variety spoke with Billy Gibbons, one of the remaining members of ZZ Top.
“Passing through the grieving process, I can tell you it’s no less than anyone else that loses a good friend or a close associate. And at the same time, knowing that this came up so suddenly — going to bed and not waking up… That was the luck of the draw. He was in, and he was out,” Gibbons said.
'LEGENDARY MUSICIAN'
Singer, songwriter Travis Tritt also took to Twitter to remember the late ZZ Top member.
He wrote: "Very sad to hear of the passing of @zztop bass player and co-lead singer Dusty Hill.
"Legendary musician and all around great dude that has gone too soon!
"He will be sorely missed. Deepest condolences to his family, friends and fans. #RIPDustyHill"
DUCK DYNASTY STAR REMEMBERS DUSTY HILL
Duck Dynasty’s Willie Robertson told Fox News on Thursday about how Dusty Hill’s passing has led him to recount the past.
Thinking about their last encounter, Robertson said: “Our beards bowed down when we got in their presence because they had been running that look way longer than we had, that’s for sure.
“When I was with them a couple of years ago, they were heading off to Europe to play for like two months or something, it was crazy.
“And I was thinking at the time, not a lot of people have their 70th birthday and then take off to Europe to keep working and keep doing what they love to do.
“And it’s just a tribute to him and their lives, their passion and what they had. They had something good and they kept it together, kept the look, kept everything.”
FOO FIGHTERS PAY TRIBUTE
On July 29, the Foo Fighters remembered ZZ Top’s Dusty Hill following his death.
The band’s drummer, Taylor Hawkins, was seen on stage wearing a T-shirt that read “Dusty RIP,” NME reported.
ZZ Top confirmed that their bassist, Dusty Hill, had died in social media posts on Wednesday.
The devastating post was signed by Hill’s bandmates, Frank and Billy.
HOW DID DUSTY HILL DIE?
ZZ Top confirmed the tragic news that the Dusty Hill passed away in his Houston, Texas home.
Hill recently suffered from a hip injury that forced him to drop out of several shows over the past week.
NICKELBACK JOINS TWITTER IN TRIBUTE TO DUSTY HILL
The official Twitter account of Nickelback shared a tribute to the late ZZ Top bassist.
It read: “The world is a little darker without your light. Rest In Peace, Dusty Hill.
“Our deepest condolences to Billy, Frank, Dusty’s family, friends and everyone that was touched by this exceptionally kind, gentle and talented soul. #ZZTop“
G TOM MAC TWEETS TRIBUTE
Artist and producer G Tom Mac, real name Gerard McMahon, tweeted out a tribute to Dusty Hill.
"DUSTY HiLL the POWER OF BASS of ZZ TOP BOTTOM, A band that proved longevity in the best way!" he wrote.
"DUSTY you created a Wicked sound with you & your ZZ brothers!#ZZTop"
THE DOOBIE BROTHERS RELEASE TRIBUTE
The Doobie Brothers band released a tribute via Twitter to the late Dusty Hill.
They wrote: “We are thinking of our longtime friend Dusty Hill. We were heartbroken to hear of his passing and are sending our condolences to his family and ZZ Top bandmates.
“His legacy and contribution to rock music will live on forever. It was always an honor to share the stage with you.”
GIBBONS TALKED ABOUT ‘WATERWORKS’ AFTER HILL’S DEATH
Gibbons also talked about the waves of emotions he felt after Hill passed.
“I had a couple of moments with the waterworks coming and going, and I really felt a sense of relief. I said, ‘Gee whiz, maybe I am human after all.’
“This is coming from a very deep and glorious place, with respect to knowing that after 50 years with the guy, we were all joined at — no pun intended — joined at the hip.
“But knowing that we can take his wishes forward and give him all due respect… You know, he was adamant. He said, ‘I’m going to go down and see what’s up. In the meantime,’ he said, ‘the show must go on. Don’t forget it.’ And he was pointing his finger and shaking it,” Gibbons recalled.
GIBBONS SPOKE ON DUSTY HILL’S CAUSE OF DEATH
Gibbons was also asked about Dusty Hill’s cause of death, and he said it seems the star just died in his sleep.
“That’s about all they can determine. Let’s face it, you don’t necessarily pass away from a broken shoulder or broken hip. Although the attending physician had earlier warned him that bursitis was not uncommon, even arthritis, and they said it’s not a very comfortable place to be.
“And I could tell that he was moving a little slow. He said, ‘Boy, this shoulder and hip are really starting to become a problem.’ But, as of this juncture, yeah, it was off to dreamland and beyond,” Gibbons said.