WDR's Rockpalast pays tribute to late ZZ Top bassist/vocalist Dusty Hill, sharing footage of an entire 1980 ZZ Top concert.

ZZ Top were guests next to Ian Hunter, Joan Armatrading and The Blues Band at the 6th "Rock Night" at the Grugahalle Arena in Essen, Germany. The bearded blues-rock group from Texas closed the night - it was the band's first appearance outside the United States and the group's first ever television concert.

At 4 o'clock in the morning, ZZ Top entered the stage of the 6th "Rock Night" and only left after five encores at 5:30 AM. The Rockpalast Eurovision broadcast made the three Texans famous overnight in Europe - they had long been stars in the US. An evening in Essen's Grugahalle that is still legendary today.

Setlist:

"I Thank You"
"Waitin' For The Bus"
"Jesus Just Left Chicago"
"Precious And Grace"
"I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide"
"Manic Mechanic"
"Lowdown In The Street"
"Heard It On The X"
"Fool For Your Stockings"
"Nasty Dogs & Funky Kings"
"El Diablo"
"Cheap Sunglasses"
"Arrested For Driving While Blind"
"Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers"
"La Grange"
"She Loves My Automobile"
"Hi Fi Mama"
"Dust My Broom"
"Jailhouse Rock"
"Tush"
"Tube Snake Boogie"
"Just Get Paid"

Following the death of bassist/vocalist Dusty Hill, ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons and Frank Beard have vowed to carry on in honour of their fallen bandmate. The band revealed yesterday that Hill had passed away in his sleep at home in Houston, TX.

Last night, SiriusXM's Eddie Trunk shared a message he received from Billy Gibbons, tweeting: "Received this just now via text from @BillyFGibbons regarding passing of Dusty Hill @ZZTop. Billy told me okay 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: "Also this from @BillyFGibbons @ZZTop: '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.'"

Received this just now via text from @BillyFGibbons regarding passing of Dusty Hill @ZZTop . Billy told me okay 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.— Eddie Trunk (@EddieTrunk) July 28, 2021

Also this from @BillyFGibbons @ZZTop : 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.— Eddie Trunk (@EddieTrunk) July 28, 2021

Billy Gibbons and Frank Beard issued the following statement announcing Dusty Hill's passing :

"We are saddened by the news today that our Compadre, Dusty Hill, has passed away in his sleep at home in Houston, TX. 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." - Frank & Billy