Net Worth Ranker
What Is Dusty Hill’s Net Worth?
At the time of his death in July 2021, American musician Dusty Hill, best known as the bassist, keyboardist, and co-vocalist for the rock band ZZ Top, had a net worth of $60 million. This net worth was accumulated over a career spanning several decades, encompassing album sales, touring revenue, and other ventures.
Dusty Hill’s Career and Earnings with ZZ Top
Dusty Hill’s primary source of income was his involvement with ZZ Top. The band, formed in 1969, released 15 studio albums, achieving significant commercial success. While precise individual earnings from album sales are not publicly available, several albums reached platinum or diamond status, indicating substantial revenue. For example, “Eliminator” (1983) was certified Diamond by the RIAA, signifying over 10 million units sold. “Afterburner” (1985) achieved 5x Platinum status, representing over 5 million units sold. Royalties from these albums, along with other releases like “ZZ Top’s First Album” (1971), “Rio Grande Mud” (1972), “Tres Hombres” (1973), “Fandango!” (1975), and “Tejas” (1976), contributed significantly to Dusty Hill’s income.
In addition to album sales, ZZ Top generated substantial revenue through concert tours. Over their career, they consistently toured, performing hundreds of shows worldwide. While specific tour revenue figures for each tour are not publicly accessible, major tours would have generated millions of dollars in ticket sales and merchandise revenue, a portion of which would have been distributed among the band members. ZZ Top also played at the Super Bowl XXXI halftime show in 1997, a high-profile appearance that would have increased their visibility and earning potential.
Dusty Hill also contributed to ZZ Top’s income through songwriting and performance royalties, which are collected and distributed by performance rights organizations such as ASCAP and BMI. These royalties are generated whenever ZZ Top’s music is played on the radio, television, or in public venues. Hit singles like “Sharp Dressed Man,” “Legs,” and “Gimme All Your Lovin'” have been staples on radio and other media for decades, providing a consistent stream of royalty income.
Beyond his work with ZZ Top, Dusty Hill’s occasional appearances in films and television shows also contributed to his income. ZZ Top appeared in “Back to the Future Part III” (1990), “Mother Goose Rock ‘n’ Rhyme” (1990), “Ellen” (1996), and “Two and a Half Men” (2010). While these appearances were likely brief, they would have provided additional compensation.
The 2019 documentary “That Little Ol’ Band from Texas,” which was nominated for a Grammy Award, also generated revenue for the band members through distribution deals and streaming platforms. It’s difficult to quantify the precise amount earned from the documentary, but it would have added to their overall income.
In 2004, ZZ Top was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which, while not directly generating income, increased their prestige and likely led to more opportunities and higher fees for performances and appearances.
Dusty Hill’s Real Estate and Personal Life
In 2014, Dusty Hill purchased Sheryl Crow’s solar-powered farm in Williamson County, Tennessee, for $3.4 million. This nearly 50-acre property included a 10,433 square foot home, a three-bedroom guesthouse, and a 14-stall barn. In 2017, he listed the property for $7.3 million, indicating his intent to potentially profit from the investment. The sale price, if achieved, would have represented a substantial return on his initial investment.
At the time of his death, Dusty Hill also owned a modern mansion in College Station, Texas. His estate listed this home for sale in October 2023 for $4.5 million. This property represented a significant asset within his estate, and the proceeds from its sale would have contributed to the overall value of his estate.
Dusty Hill married actress Charleen McCrory on March 23, 2002, and they remained married until his death. While details of their financial arrangements are not publicly available, it is common for spouses to share assets and income during their marriage, and his wife would have likely been a beneficiary of his estate.
In 1984, Dusty Hill accidentally shot himself in the abdomen with a derringer that fell out of his boot. While this incident did not directly affect his net worth, it underscores the risks associated with a rock and roll lifestyle. He mentioned driving himself to the hospital, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
Dusty Hill passed away at his Houston home on July 28, 2021. His death marked the end of an era for ZZ Top, and his contributions to the band’s success are undeniable. Before his death, he requested that ZZ Top’s guitar tech, Elwood Francis, take his place in the band. This decision reflects his commitment to the band’s legacy and his desire to ensure its continued success.
Throughout his career, Dusty Hill maintained a relatively private personal life, focusing primarily on his music and his band. He was known for his understated demeanor and his dedication to his craft. His net worth of $60 million reflects his hard work, talent, and the enduring popularity of ZZ Top.
Beyond real estate, there are no public records of his specific investments in stocks, bonds, or other financial instruments. Many high-net-worth individuals diversify their assets to protect and grow their wealth, so it’s plausible that Dusty Hill also had investments in these areas.
Furthermore, it is unknown if Dusty Hill owned any luxurious items such as private jets or yachts. These types of assets can significantly contribute to a person’s overall net worth, but there is no public information indicating whether Dusty Hill possessed them.
In the early days, Dusty and his brother Rocky started singing for money at the age of eight. This early experience instilled in him a sense of entrepreneurship and a desire to earn a living through music. At age 13, Dusty learned how to play the bass, which would later become his primary instrument with ZZ Top. He has said he resented school because it interfered with playing in local bars.
Dusty, Rocky, and future ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard played in the Cellar Dwellers, the Warlocks, and American Blues in Dallas. In 1969, Dusty and Beard toured as a Texas-based version of the British band the Zombies. These early experiences helped him hone his musical skills and develop a strong work ethic. He moved to Houston in 1968 and Frank Beard joined Billy Gibbons’ band The Moving Sidewalks in 1969. In July 1969, the band became known as ZZ Top.
In 1976, the band began a three-year hiatus while Beard sought treatment for drug addiction, and Hill worked at Dallas Airport to “feel normal” and “ground himself” during this period. In 2000, ZZ Top had to cancel their European tour after Dusty was diagnosed with hepatitis C, and they canceled part of their 2014 tour after Hill fell on the tour bus and suffered a hip injury that required surgery. A few days before his death, Dusty left the band’s “A Celebration with ZZ Top” tour after injuring his hip again.
ZZ Top has earned three Grammy nominations, Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for “Eliminator” (1983) and “Afterburner” (1986) and Best Music Film for “That Little Ol’ Band From Texas” (2020). They have received more than a dozen MTV Video Music Award nominations, winning Best Group Video for “Legs” (1984), Best Direction for “Sharp Dressed Man” (1984), and Best Art Direction for “Rough Boy” (1986). The band has also earned Juno Award nominations for International Album of the Year for “Eliminator” (1984) and “Afterburner” (1986) and Brit Award nominations for Best International Solo Artist (1985) and International Group (1986). In 1991, Texas governor Ann Richards declared May 4th “ZZ Top Day,” and the band was named “Official Heroes for the State of Texas” by the Texas House of Representatives. In 1994, ZZ Top was inducted into Hollywood’s RockWalk at the Guitar Center on Sunset Boulevard.
