Billy Gibbons Says ZZ Top Will Continue Following the Death of Dusty Hill
ZZ Top won't stop performing and touring after the July 28 death of longtime bass player and co-vocalist Dusty Hill. The bluesy Southern rock veterans already have a replacement musician, allowing them to continue their ongoing North American tour that stretches into 2022.
However, out of respect, the band did cancel their scheduled show on Wednesday in Simpsonville, S.C., after making a statement acknowledging Hill's death. But as revealed later that same day by rock radio personality Eddie Trunk, ZZ Top bandleader Billy Gibbons has confirmed that the group will carry on.
Gibbons told Trunk that himself, the radio host reported, with the ZZ Top founder even sharing some final words he received from Dusty that had the bassist passing the torch to his successor.
"Received this just now via text from [Gibbons] regarding [the] passing of Dusty Hill," Trunk tweeted. "Billy told me [it's] OK to share w/ fans: 'As Dusty said upon his departure, 'Let the show go on!' And, with respect, we'll do well to get beyond this and honor his wishes.'"
Trunk added in a separate message, "Also this from [Gibbons]: 'Dusty emphatically grabbed my arm and said, 'Give Elwood the bottom end and take it to the top.' He meant it, amigo. He really did.'"
Gibbons was referring to the fact that ZZ Top guitar technician Elwood Francis had already taken Hill's place on bass starting earlier this month after Hill had to leave the tour because of a hip injury. Days later, Hill died at his home in Houston at the age of 72. Francis will presumably stay in the onstage position at least until the band's current trek concludes next year.
See ZZ Top's upcoming concert dates below. Get tickets at zztop.com.
ZZ Top 2021-2022 North American Tour Dates
July 30 – Tuscaloosa, Ala. @ Tuscaloosa Amphitheater
July 31 – Valdosta, Ga. @ Wild Adventures
Aug. 1 – Brandon, Miss. @ Brandon Amphitheater
Aug. 3 – Little Rock, Ark. @ First Security Amphitheater
Aug. 4 – Alexandria, La. @ Rapides Paris Coliseum
Aug. 6 – Camdenton, Mo. @ Lake Ozarks Amphitheatre
Aug. 7 – Washington, Mo. @ Town and Country Fair
Aug. 8 – Bonner Springs, Kan. @ Azura Amphitheater
Aug. 11 – Sturgis, S.D. @ Buffalo Chip Campground
Aug. 12 – Casper, Wy. @ Casper Events Center
Aug. 14 – Reno, Nev. @ Silver Legacy Casino
Aug. 15 – Grande Ronde, Ore. @ Spirit Mountain Casino
Aug. 17 – Jacksonville, Ore. @ Britt Pavilion
Aug. 19 – Maryville, Wash. @ Tulalip Amphitheater
Aug. 20 – Lewiston, Idaho @ Clearwater River Casino
Aug. 21 – Missoula, Mt. @ KettleHouse Amphitheater
Aug. 24 – Englewood, Colo. @ Fiddler's Green
Sept. 11 – Milwaukee, Wis. @ Summerfest
Sept. 12 – Cincinnati, Ohio @ Riverbend Music Center
Sept. 14 – Huber Heights, Ohio @ Rose Music Center
Sept. 15 – Cedar Rapids, Iowa @ AE PowerHouse
Sept. 17 – Council Bluffs, Iowa @ Harrah's Casino
Sept. 18 – Pryor, Okla. @ Born and Raised Festival
Sept. 19 – Memphis, Tenn. @ Orpheum Theatre
Sept. 21 – Charleston, W.V. @ Charleston Coliseum
Sept. 22 – Doswell, Va. @ Meadow Event Park
Sept. 23 – Frederick, Md. @ Frederick Fairgrounds
Sept. 25 – Watertown, N.Y. @ Watertown Fairgrounds
Sept. 26 – Bethel, N.Y. @ Bethel Woods Center
Sept. 28 – N. Charleston, S.C. @ Performing Arts Center
Sept. 30 – Macon, Ga. @ Macon City Auditorium
Oct. 1 – Tupelo, Miss. @ BancorpSouth Arena
Oct. 2 – Lake Charles, La. @ Golden Nugget
Oct. 4 – Fort Worth, Texas @ Dickies Arena
Oct. 8 – Las Vegas, Nev. @ The Venetian Theatre
Oct. 9 – Las Vegas, Nev. @ The Venetian Theatre
Oct. 10 – Scottsdale, Ariz. @ Talking Stick Resort
Oct. 13 – Las Vegas, Nev. @ The Venetian Theatre
Oct. 15 – Las Vegas, Nev. @ The Venetian Theatre
Oct. 16 – Las Vegas, Nev. @ The Venetian Theatre
Nov. 6 – Key West, Fla. @ Key West Amphitheater
Nov. 7 - Fort Lauderdale, Fla. @ Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Nov. 9 – Tampa, Fla. @ Seminole Hard Rock
Nov. 11 – Orlando, Fla. @ Hard Rock International
Nov. 13 – Fort Myers, Fla. @ Mann Hall
Nov. 14 – Jacksonville, Fla. @ Florida Theatre
Nov. 16 – Melbourne, Fla. @ King Center
Nov. 17 – Savannah, Ga. @ Johnny Mercer Theater
Nov. 20 – Wilmington, N.C. @ Cape Fear CC
Nov. 21- Durham, N.C. @ Performing Arts Center
Nov. 23 – Chattanooga, Tenn. @ Tivoli Theatre
Nov. 27 – Lubbock, Texas @ Buddy Holly Center
Nov. 28 – Lubbock, Texas @ Buddy Holly Center
Dec. 3 – Biloxi, Miss. @ IP Casino Resort and Hotel
Dec. 4 – Shreveport, La. @ Municipal Auditorium
Dec. 5 – Wichita Falls, Texas @ Memorial Auditorium
Dec. 7 – Abilene, Texas @ Taylor County Coliseum
Dec. 11 – El Paso, Texas @ Abraham Chavez Theatre
Dec. 12 – Midland, Texas @ Wagner Noel Center
April 23, 2022 – Abbotsford, Canada @ Sports Centre
April 24, 2022 – Penticton, Canada @ South Okanagen
April 26, 2022 – Kamloops, Canada @ Sandman Centre
April 27, 2022 – Lethbridge, Canada @ ENMAX Centre
April 29, 2022 – Saskatoon, Canada @ SaskTel Center
April 30, 2022 – Enoch, Canada @ River Tree Casino
May 3, 2022 – Brandon, Canada @ Keystone Centre
May 4, 2022 – Niagara Falls, Canada @ Fallsview
May 8, 2022 – Laval, Canada @ Place Bell
May 10, 2022 – Halifax, Canada @ Scotiabank Centre
May 13, 2022 – St. John's, Canada @ Mile One Centre
May 14, 2022 – St. John's, Canada @ Mile One Centre