ZZ Top bassist Dusty Hill has died at age 72

• Dusty Hill, the longtime bassist of rock band ZZ Top, has died at age 72.
• Hill died in his sleep at his home in Houston, his bandmates announced.
• The legendary bassist was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of fame with the other members of ZZ Top in 2004.
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Dusty Hill, the longtime member of legendary rock band ZZ Top, has died at his home in Houston, Texas, his bandmates announced Wednesday.

He was 72.

Hill died in his sleep, according to an announcement made by drummer Frank Beard and lead guitarist Billy Gibbons. His cause of death has not been made public.

"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,' " they wrote on Facebook. "We will forever be connected to that 'Blues Shuffle in C.' You will be missed greatly, amigo."

Hill – who along with Gibbons sported a signature long beard and stetson hat – joined the group in 1970 and remained a member of ZZ Top until his death. ZZ Top spun out a number of hits starting in the early 70s, including "Sharp Dressed Man" and "Legs."

The band has sold over 50 million albums, according to CBS News, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004.

In the CBS interview in 2020, Hill said he and his bandmates had no intention of retiring soon.

"I've told people, I said, 'Look, if I retired after a few months I would be at your house singing you a song or something,' " he said.