Five years ago, on 28 July 2021, ZZ Top bassist Dusty Hill died at his home in Houston, Texas, at the age of 72. Hill had played bass for the Texas rock trio since before its first album, remaining a member for more than 50 years and helping the band sell over 50 million albums worldwide; before his death he asked bandmates to bring in guitar technician Elwood Francis as his replacement.

Hill began performing as a child, initially singing alongside his older brother Rocky before taking up bass to complete his brother's band, learning largely through live performance rather than formal training. He later formed a lasting partnership with drummer Frank Beard, and the pair joined Billy Gibbons in 1969 to form ZZ Top after the band's original bassist declined to sign a record deal. Known for deceptively simple, feel-driven basslines rather than technical flash, Hill said he prioritised serving the song over personal performance. Following his death, Gibbons said Hill had personally instructed the band to carry on, a wish ZZ Top continues to honour while touring today.