ZZ Top is still mourning the death of music icon Dusty Hill, but it seems like they're ready to move forward as the band announced his replacement amid their plans of releasing new music soon.
According to Outsider's American Entertainment, guitar technician Elwood Francis is the newest addition to the band and he will be replacing the late musician.
Surprisingly, Hill instructed his bandmates Billy Gibbons and Frank Beard to continue their legacy with Francis before he passed away.
Speaking about his old pal, Gibbons revealed that Hill was not only an amazing performer and a friend, but he also had a thread of wisdom.
When the bassist was "feeling a bit out of sorts," he went to a physician to get treated.
At the time, he told Gibbons that if he's "late getting back to the gig, make sure that Elwood, our guitar technician, wraps his hands around my guitar." (via Ultimate Classic Rock)
The vocalist also opened up about Francis' experience with the band, saying he has a "rather serious side" of making loud sounds.
"He falls right in. It's kind of an interesting twist, but the balance remains. We're crazy characters, almost cartoon-like, but at the bottom of it, we're all very dedicated and serious on the musical level," he added.
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Following Hill's death, Francis immediately stepped in as a replacement. Gibbons opened up about their new member's first shows, saying the emotions were "running high."
The new member made sure to pay tribute to the late legend by putting his hat on the microphone and making sure that "there was a point of relation through the whole night."
He added that Francis accepted Hill's directive as mentioned earlier, "Hey Elwood, grab the guitar."
Dusty Hill passed away on July 28, 2021, in Houston, Texas. The legend died in his sleep.
ZZ Top New Music Coming Soon Following Dusty Hill's Death?
Now that they're all set with a new member, Billy Gibbons revealed that they're planning to release new projects in the near future.
The guitarist said they're making lots of things as a band while experimenting with something "so fresh."
Even though they're creating something new, the lead vocalist noted that the group is ready for new challenges.
"We find it rather intriguing. It's a calling that has us grinning from start to finish," he added.
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