Dusty Hill was a professional name for Joseph Michael “Dusty” Hill, an American musician, singer, and composer. He was best known as the bassist and secondary lead singer of the American rock band ZZ Top, with whom he also played keyboards.
As a member of ZZ Top, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, and he also played Fender Custom Shop basses. Hill loved Fender custom bass guitars with a reverse telecaster headstock, which meant the tuning keys were “backwards.” In addition, he appeared in cameo roles in films such as “Back to the Future Part III,” “Mother Goose Rock ‘n’ Rhyme,” and HBO’s “Deadwood.”
On July 28, 2021, we sadly lost him. At the age of 72, Dusty Hill exits the earth forever. Dusty Hill, the bearded bassist for the American blues-rock band ZZ Top, passed away on July 28th, 2021, at the age of 72. At his home in Houston, Texas, he died peacefully in his sleep. Billy Gibbons and Frank Beard, members of ZZ Top, confirmed his death.
Dusty Hill’s Bio
Dusty Hill entered the world for the first time on May 19, 1949, in Dallas, Texas, United States. He was born in a Christian religious household with the name Joseph Michael Hill. By nationality, he was an American, and by ethnicity, he was an American-white. Dusty turned 72 in May of 2021, and according to his birthdate, he was born under the sign of Taurus. As a result, his race was white. Ernest Hill (father) and Myrl Hill (mother) were his parents (mother). Rocky Hill, his younger brother, is a musician as well. Dusty received his schooling at Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas, where he played the cello.
Dusty Hill’s career
Dusty Hill began his singing career alongside his brother, future ZZ Top member Frank Beard, in local Dallas bands the Warlocks, the Cellar Dwellers, and American Blues. From 1966 through 1968, American Blues toured the Dallas-Fort Worth-Houston area. In 1969, he joined a fictional version of the British band the Zombies alongside Beard, despite the band’s decision to leave the Dallas-Fort Worth region in 1968 and go to Houston. Rocky departed the band at this point, and Dusty and Beard relocated to Houston, where they joined guitarist/vocalist Billy Gibbons of Houston psychedelic rockers Moving Sidewalks in the newly formed ZZ Top shortly after their debut song was released in 1969. Hill was a secondary lead singer and played bass and keyboards in the band, as well as singing lead vocals on “Tush,” the band’s first Top 20 success and one of its most famous songs.
In addition to singing, he has appeared in films such as “Back to the Future Part III,” “Mother Goose Rock ‘n’ Rhyme,” “WWE Raw” on July 20, 2009, and “Deadwood.” He also made an appearance as himself in the “King of the Hill” episode “Hank Gets Dusted,” which aired in the 11th season. In 2004, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of ZZ Top, and he was also seen as himself on “The Drew Carey Show.”
In July 2021, the band performed for the first time in 51 years without Hill, who said in a statement that he had been compelled to seek medical care “to address a hip ailment.” Elwood Francis, the band’s longtime guitar tech, stepped in as bass player; Francis was named as Dusty’s official successor in ZZ Top soon after his death.
Who Was Dusty Hill’s Wife?
Dusty Hill was a musician, singer, and composer who was married. In 2002, he married Charleen McCrory, his longtime lover. He was also the father of a girl. There was a lot of love between the two of them, and they seemed to be quite content in their home. Hill was straight when it came to his sexual orientation.
Dusty Hill’s Net Worth
Dusty Hill was a multi-talented individual with a net worth of roughly $6 million in 2022. He was also paid well, with a yearly salary in the thousands of dollars. Hill’s main source of wealth was his singing career, through which he had made a sizable fortune.
Dusty Hill’s Body Measurement
Dusty Hill stood 1.73 meters tall and weighed 75 kg. He sported a lengthy blonde beard that was rather appealing. He has dark brown hair and dark brown eyes. Dusty’s ethnic origin was most likely one of the factors in his outgoing and attractive attitude. His physical stature was ordinary.
Quick Facts
Dusty was a bassist who used Fender Custom Shop basses. Charleen McCrory was his wife. He was a member of ZZ Top, with Frank Beard and Billy Gibbons. He attended Woodrow Wilson High School in Texas where he grew up. He was a cellist in high school. In 2004, he was enshrined in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.