ZZ Top has been forced to continue its live activities without longtime drummer Frank Beard, whose latest health issues reportedly contributed to the cancellation of the band’s recent Hollywood Bowl performance.
According to Rolling Stone, Beard‘s health was a factor in the cancellation of the concert, though neither the band nor its representatives have revealed the nature of his current condition.
A spokesperson for ZZ Top confirmed that guitarist and vocalist Billy Gibbons and bassist Elwood Francis will continue performing, with Michael Monahan handling the drum duties in Beard’s absence.
The Hollywood Bowl show was canceled last week, with Gibbons issuing a brief statement addressing the situation: “Insurmountable obstacles require canceling our Hollywood Bowl performance. Friends, fans and followers of ZZ Top are the best in the business and the band is counting on everyone to bear with us for this brief interruption.”
The latest development marks another period of uncertainty surrounding Beard‘s participation in the band’s touring activities.
Beard has dealt with health-related interruptions before. Nearly a year and a half ago, the drummer “temporarily stepped away” from ZZ Top‘s touring schedule because of an unspecified “health issue.”
At the time, John Douglas stepped behind the drum kit. A fellow Texan and longtime member of ZZ Top‘s touring crew, Douglas has worked with the band as a percussionist and drummer and had already filled in for Beard back in 2002.
That earlier absence came after Beard underwent an emergency appendectomy.
There is currently no public information detailing Beard’s latest health problems or indicating when he might be able to return to the stage.
Beard’s absence is particularly notable because of just how long he has been an integral part of ZZ Top.
The drummer has been with the band for more than 55 years and performed on every one of its albums, beginning with “ZZ Top’s First Album”, which was released in 1971.
Together with Billy Gibbons and the late Dusty Hill, Beard formed the classic ZZ Top lineup that became synonymous with the band’s blues-infused brand of rock and boogie. The trio went on to become one of the most recognizable acts in American rock, scoring worldwide success while maintaining their distinctive sound and image.
