Frank Beard, the legendary drummer who spent more than five decades behind the kit of ZZ Top, has died at the age of 77.
Beard died on August 17 at his ranch in Richmond, Texas, where he was receiving hospice care. His family was by his side at the time of his passing.
The news comes just weeks after Beard stepped away from ZZ Top‘s current “The Big One!” tour because of health issues. Guitarist and vocalist Billy Gibbons and bassist Elwood Francis had continued the trek with drummer Michael Monahan handling the drum duties.
Following Beard’s death, ZZ Top announced the cancellation of its August 18 and 19 performances in Salt Lake City and Colorado Springs. The band is scheduled to return to the stage on August 22 and 23 at ACL Live at The Moody Theater in Austin, Texas, a venue that was particularly meaningful to Beard and located in a city he considered something of a second home.
Gibbons remembered his longtime bandmate and friend in a statement: “Today, Elwood and I lost a great friend and collaborator, and the world lost one of the most naturally innovative drummers and a great and true son of Texas. His signature backbeat was key to keeping ZZ on top. The band of which he was part for six decades is going to keep on keeping on as he had wished.”
Beard‘s departure from the road earlier this month was not his first health-related absence from ZZ Top. Approximately a year and a half ago, he temporarily stepped away from touring because of an unspecified health issue. Longtime band technician, percussionist and drummer John Douglas filled in during that period.
Douglas was already familiar with the role, having previously substituted for Beard in 2002 when the drummer underwent an emergency appendectomy.
Beard‘s history with ZZ Top dates back to 1969, and he remained a member of the group for more than 55 years. He performed on every studio album released by the band, beginning with ZZ Top’s First Album in 1971.
Together with Gibbons and the late Dusty Hill, Beard formed the classic ZZ Top lineup that became one of the most recognizable trios in rock music. Their combination of blues, boogie, hard rock and Texas swagger produced a string of classic records and hits, while the band’s unmistakable image helped establish them as cultural icons.
Following Hill‘s death in 2021, Francis joined Gibbons and Beard on the road, allowing ZZ Top to continue performing while maintaining the band’s musical identity.
Although Beard is now gone, Gibbons has made it clear that the band intends to honor his wishes and continue performing.
