Longtime ZZ Top Manager Bill Ham Dead At 79

(Classic Rock) Longtime ZZ Top manager Bill Ham has died aged 79 at his home in Austin. The Travis County Medical Examiner Office confirmed his passing to Austin 360, though the cause of death has not yet been announced.

The Texan founded management company Lone Wolf in 1969 and helped ZZ Top on their rise to international fame and also propelled country singer Clint Black to stardom.

After ZZ Top departed Warner Bros for RCA Records as their sales began to dip in the early 90s, Ham won a contract that earned them millions over five albums.

In 2000, Ham topped the 25 Most Powerful People In Austin list in the American Statesman - as his firm Hamstein Publishing company heavily influenced the country and pop charts over the years. Read more here.

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