A rock bassist who had appeared with the same band for over half a century has passed away.
Dusty Hill, the bearded bass player and secondary vocalist for the blues-rock trio ZZ Top, died Wednesday morning. He was 72 years old.
"We are saddened by the news today that our compadre, Dusty Hill, has passed away in his sleep at home in Houston, Texas," read a statement posted on the group's official Facebook page. "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'. We will forever be connected to that 'Blues Shuffle in C.' You will be missed greatly, amigo."
A cause of death was not given.
A native Texan, Hill joined ZZ Top in 1970 with lead guitarist and singer Billy Gibbons, and drummer Frank Beard.
Their first album was recorded in 1971. The trio would record a total of 15 studio albums and four live albums.
The band had its most successful string of hits in the early to mid-1980s, including "Sharp Dressed Man", "Gimme All Your Lovin'", and "Got Me Under Pressure".
Hill was inducted with his bandmates into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004.