Rock and roll’s greatest bassist that ever worked for months at a Texas airport in the midst of a massively successful music career died this week.

Dusty Hill, 52 year member of the seminal trio ZZ Top passed away in his sleep at the age of 72. Numerous obituaries have covered his playing style, fashion sense and noted the millions and millions of records sold. In addition to the kind remembrances, music fans can clearly hear their influence on massive modern acts like Queens of the Stone Age.

I agree with the kind words written about Hill and ZZ Top. The band is great. I’ve also waxed poetic about their sound and style on multiple occasions in multiple publications. But I’m not seeing anything about one of my favorite rock and roll footnotes.

In the late 70s, ZZ Top took a three year hiatus because drummer Frank Beard needed rehab and a break. Singer guitarist Billy Gibbons went to the UK, started growing his trademark beard and ended up becoming an important behind the scenes figure in the origin of British punk. Singer bassist Dusty Hill stayed in Texas, started growing his own trademark beard and worked at an airport.

The bassist for one of the most successful rock and roll trios, a band that was selling out arenas around the country, worked in an airport to stay busy. This is one of my favorite rock and roll anecdotes. 

Hill’s airport work got a less than one minute of time in the 2019 doc ZZ Top: That Little Ol Band From Texas (it’s on Netflix and begins around the 63 minute mark). Hill claims he got a job at the airport because, “I just wanted to feel normal.” He used his birth name on his work shirt, Joe, cut his hair and claimed no one knew about his other day job. There’s no further explanation.

I find this is way more interesting than most anything else about the long lasting group. Maybe I’ve become jaded about the perils of addiction or no longer understand the glimmer of 1980s style music escapism showcased in videos like “Gimme All Your Lovin'” and “Legs” or care about facial hair. The guy worked at an airport to stay busy. That is amazing! That’s literally the place the protagonist in Atlanta, a show about a man working in the fringes of the music industry that’s desperate to get out or working in an airport, works.

Keep your stories of groupies, addiction and wealth. I want to know more about the time the rock and roll millionaire worked in baggage claim. Now let’s listen to “Tush.”

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