Dusty Hill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dusty Hill
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Hill performing in 2015
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Joe Michael Hill |
| Born | May 19, 1949 Dallas, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | July 28, 2021 (aged 72) Houston, Texas, U.S. |
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| Years active | 1957-2021 |
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Joe Michael "Dusty" Hill (born May 19, 1949 – died July 28, 2021) was an American musician. He was best known as the bassist for the famous rock band ZZ Top. Dusty played with ZZ Top for over 50 years. He also sang lead and backing vocals for the band. Sometimes, he played keyboards too.
Dusty Hill was born in Dallas, Texas. He started playing music when he was very young. He often performed with his older brother, Rocky Hill. In 1968, Dusty and drummer Frank Beard joined guitarist Billy Gibbons. Together, they formed the band ZZ Top. They released many popular albums, including the huge hit Eliminator in 1983. Dusty was known for his simple but powerful bass lines. His sound was often described as "big" and "distorted." Music critics said his bass playing was a key part of ZZ Top's unique sound. It perfectly matched Billy Gibbons' guitar skills.
Dusty Hill was honored in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. This was for his work with ZZ Top. He passed away in 2021 after being unwell for some time. Before he died, he asked that the band's longtime guitar technician, Elwood Francis, take his place.
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Dusty Hill's Early Life
Dusty Hill was born on May 19, 1949, in Dallas, Texas. He grew up in East Dallas with his older brother, Rocky. Rocky was also a musician. Dusty went to Woodrow Wilson High School. There, he learned to play the cello. Like his future bandmates, Dusty loved blues music. He said this was not common for white families at the time. He remembered surprising his friends' parents by bringing blues records to their homes.
Dusty started singing for money with his brother Rocky when he was just 8 years old. When Rocky formed a band, Dusty decided to play the bass guitar. He was about 13 years old then. Unlike many bass players, he did not learn guitar first. Dusty did not enjoy school very much. He said, "By the time I was 13, I was already playing in local bars. School kind of got in the way of that."
Dusty Hill and ZZ Top
Before ZZ Top, Dusty played in local bands in Dallas. He was with his brother Rocky and drummer Frank Beard. Some of these bands were the Warlocks, the Cellar Dwellers, and American Blues. From 1966 to 1968, American Blues played many shows. They performed in cities like Dallas, Fort Worth, and Houston.
In 1968, American Blues moved to Houston. Rocky wanted to play only "straight blues" music. But Dusty wanted the band to play more rock music. So, Rocky left the band. Dusty and Frank Beard stayed in Houston. In 1969, they joined guitarist-vocalist Billy Gibbons. Billy was from a band called Moving Sidewalks. Together, they formed the new band, ZZ Top.
Billy Gibbons usually wrote the songs and planned the music. Dusty played bass and keyboards. He also sang lead on some songs. In 1971, ZZ Top released their first album, ZZ Top's First Album. This album showed the band's funny side. It had strong rhythms and distorted guitars. The songs were inspired by blues music. After their first album, they released Rio Grande Mud in 1972. This album had their first song to appear on music charts, "Francine".
In 1973, ZZ Top released Tres Hombres. This album helped them create their heavy blues style. It also showed their strong connection to Texas music. The song "La Grange" became their first big hit. It almost reached the top 40 on the Billboard charts. In 1975, Dusty Hill sang lead on "Tush". This song became one of the band's most popular hits. It was their first song to reach the top 20. On the 1976 album Tejas, Dusty sang lead on several songs. He also sang a duet with Billy Gibbons on "It’s Only Love".
In 1976, ZZ Top took a break for three years. They had been touring and making albums for almost seven years. Dusty Hill spent this time working at Dallas Airport. He said he wanted to "feel normal" again. He was rarely recognized by fans. If someone asked if he was Dusty Hill, he would say, "No! Do you think I’d be sitting here?" In 1979, the band returned with the album Degüello. Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill showed off their new look. They both had long, matching beards and wore sunglasses. Their hit songs from this time, "Cheap Sunglasses" and "Pearl Necklace", had a more modern sound. In 1983, ZZ Top released Eliminator. This album sold millions of copies. It made the band "bona fide pop stars," according to the Financial Times.
Dusty Hill also appeared in movies and TV shows. He was in Back to the Future Part III and Mother Goose Rock 'n' Rhyme. He also appeared in an episode of WWE Raw in 2009. He played himself in an episode of King of the Hill called "Hank Gets Dusted". In that episode, the character Hank Hill was said to be Dusty's cousin. Dusty also appeared on The Drew Carey Show. He auditioned for Drew's band but was not chosen. This was because he would not shave his beard, which he called a "Texas Goatee."
In 2000, Dusty Hill had some health issues. ZZ Top had to cancel their European tour. Dusty returned to work in 2002. In 2014, Dusty fell on his tour bus and hurt his hip. He needed surgery, and part of the tour was canceled. On July 23, 2021, Dusty left a tour because of more hip problems. The band performed without him. Their guitar technician, Elwood Francis, played bass instead. This was what Dusty had asked for. Dusty had already recorded bass and vocals for ZZ Top's next album.
Dusty Hill's Personal Life
Dusty Hill married his longtime girlfriend, actress Charleen McCrory, in 2002. He had one daughter.
Dusty Hill's Passing
Dusty Hill passed away on July 28, 2021. He was 72 years old. He died at his home in Houston, Texas.
Many rock musicians and friends shared their sadness on social media. These included Paul Stanley, Ozzy Osbourne, John Fogerty, Flea, Zakk Wylde, and Tony Iommi. On August 6, Dusty was remembered on the BBC Radio 4 program Last Word. Phil Robertson from Duck Dynasty gave the speech at Dusty's funeral. Dusty Hill was buried in a private service on August 7, 2021.
Dusty Hill's Music Style
Dusty Hill said that Cream bassist Jack Bruce was an early influence. He also liked jazz bassists Stanley Clarke and Charles Mingus. Dusty once played more complex bass parts. But he later decided that making the song sound good was more important than playing fancy notes. He said, "Sometimes you don't even notice the bass. That's a compliment. It means you've filled in everything, and it's right for the song." New York Times called him a "precise musical mechanic." They said his playing perfectly supported Billy Gibbons' "showy" guitar skills.
Dusty Hill's Music Albums
With ZZ Top
With American Blues
- American Blues
- American Blues 'Is Here' (1968)
- Do Their Thing (1969)
Images for kids
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Dusty Hill performing in 2015
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Dusty Hill performing in 2008
See also
In Spanish: Dusty Hill para niños
