ZZ Top founder Billy Gibbons opened up about Dusty Hill‘s health struggles in an interview after the bassist’s death.

“He requested dismissing himself” from the blues-rock band’s line-up, Gibbons told Variety.

Gibbons said that Hill has been struggling with multiple ailments over the past few years such as a broken shoulder, a broken hip, and some ulcers.

“So he’s been kind of tiptoeing through keeping himself ship-shape, best he could,” Gibbons said. “But I think that this was a real challenge. And by throwing in the towel, it might’ve caught up with him. Who knows? I’m just glad he’s in a good spot.”

The interview was held on the eve of ZZ Top‘s first show since the death of Hill, which took place in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Hill, who joined ZZ Top in 1969, passed away in his sleep at home in Houston, Texas, at the age of 72 last week.

(Photo: Tilly Antoine)

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