Musician. Best known as the bearded, Stetson hat-clad bassist of the American rock trio ZZ Top, he was born in Dallas, Texas. At an early age, he demonstrated musical talent, playing the cello and bass guitar. He and his older brother, Rocky played in a number of local bands, including the psychedelic blues group, American Blues. Following a disagreement on the future direction of the group, Hill and the ensemble's drummer, Frank Beard left American Blues, relocating to Houston Texas in search of a more blues rock orientation. It was there that they met Billy Gibbons, founder of the rock group ZZ Top. By 1970, the group had coalesced around Gibbons, Hill, and Beard and were signed to its first label, London Records. Over the next five decades, the band found critical acclaim with its ever changing sound, alternating across the spectrum from Texas Blues to straight rock and even New Wave upon switching labels from London Records to Warner Bros. Records and the emergence of MTV. Hill shared songwriting credits for several hits which continue to receive airplay to the present. Songs such as: "La Grange," "Tush," "Cheap Sunglasses," "Gimme All Your Lovin'" and "Sharp Dressed Man" propelled the band to worldwide fame throughout the '70's and '80's. In addition to his music career, Hill made numerous screen appearances on both television programs and the silver screen. He and his fellow bandmates appeared as the band playing at the town festival in "Back to the Future Part III" (1990). Other credits included cameo appearances on the HBO series "Deadwood," the animated series "King of the Hill," "WWE Monday Night RAW" and "The Drew Carey Show." Hill was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2004 for his work with ZZ Top.
Musician. Best known as the bearded, Stetson hat-clad bassist of the American rock trio ZZ Top, he was born in Dallas, Texas. At an early age, he demonstrated musical talent, playing the cello and bass guitar. He and his older brother, Rocky played in a number of local bands, including the psychedelic blues group, American Blues. Following a disagreement on the future direction of the group, Hill and the ensemble's drummer, Frank Beard left American Blues, relocating to Houston Texas in search of a more blues rock orientation. It was there that they met Billy Gibbons, founder of the rock group ZZ Top. By 1970, the group had coalesced around Gibbons, Hill, and Beard and were signed to its first label, London Records. Over the next five decades, the band found critical acclaim with its ever changing sound, alternating across the spectrum from Texas Blues to straight rock and even New Wave upon switching labels from London Records to Warner Bros. Records and the emergence of MTV. Hill shared songwriting credits for several hits which continue to receive airplay to the present. Songs such as: "La Grange," "Tush," "Cheap Sunglasses," "Gimme All Your Lovin'" and "Sharp Dressed Man" propelled the band to worldwide fame throughout the '70's and '80's. In addition to his music career, Hill made numerous screen appearances on both television programs and the silver screen. He and his fellow bandmates appeared as the band playing at the town festival in "Back to the Future Part III" (1990). Other credits included cameo appearances on the HBO series "Deadwood," the animated series "King of the Hill," "WWE Monday Night RAW" and "The Drew Carey Show." Hill was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2004 for his work with ZZ Top.
Bio by: The Kentucky Hill Hunter
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