ZZ Top cancels European tour

ZZ Top has cancelled its European tour so bassist-singer Dusty hill can undergo treatment for a benign growth in his inner ear.

Dr Shawn Nasseri, a California otolaryngologist who is treating Hill, said preliminary plans did not include surgery.

“In the near term, we plan to stabilise Dusty’s hearing and symptoms with medication and a conservative management strategy,” he said.

ZZ Top got its start in Houston in 1969 when local guitarist Billy Gibbons got together with Hill and drummer Frank Beard, from the Dallas-based band American Blues.

The group has been touring for much of the spring and its European tour was to have started on June 15 in Leipzig, Germany, and run into early July. No dates were planned for the UK.

“I’m looking forward to dealing with this problem and getting back out there with Billy and Frank,” Hill said. “I’m sure we’ll put this behind us very shortly.”