Following the recent death of their legendary drummer Frank Beard, Texas rock veterans ZZ Top have confirmed they will not be retiring from the road. Instead, the band will proceed with their current live schedule, fulfilling the late musician’s explicit desire for the group to keep playing.
Frank Beard, who provided the unmistakable rhythmic groove for the trio over a remarkable 56-year tenure, passed away on August 17 at his ranch in Richmond, Texas. He was receiving hospice care and was surrounded by his family at the time of his death.
While ZZ Top fully intends to carry on, the immediate timeline of their ongoing “The Big One! Tour” has been adjusted to mourn the loss. The band officially canceled their slated performances in Salt Lake City and Colorado Springs to accommodate the situation.
Addressing the fans and outlining their immediate touring plans, the group issued the following formal statement:
“Frank Beard‘s passing necessitates the cancellation of ZZ Top tour dates that had been scheduled for tonight in Salt Lake City and Wednesday’s show in Colorado Springs.”
“The band will resume its current ‘The Big One! Tour‘ this weekend with two dates at Austin City Limits, one of Frank’s favorite venues and in a city that had been something of a second home for him.”
The upcoming Austin concerts will represent the first time the group takes the stage following the death of their longtime backbone.
Guitarist and frontman Billy Gibbons also shared a personal tribute honoring his musical brother, verifying that the decision to keep the band alive was a direct request from the drummer himself.
“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.”
Health issues had previously forced the percussionist to take a step back from his grueling travel schedule. In March 2025, he temporarily removed himself from the road to address undisclosed medical problems, with longtime drum technician John Douglas stepping in to handle live duties. John Douglas was already familiar with the gig, having previously substituted for the drummer during a string of European dates in 2002.
More recently, escalating health complications caused him to step away from “The Big One! Tour” entirely. During this recent absence, Michael Monahan took over behind the kit to perform alongside Billy Gibbons and bassist Elwood Francis.
Despite these necessary medical leaves, Frank Beard remained a fundamental pillar of the trio since officially joining the fold in 1969. His subtle yet deeply pocketed drumming style provided the perfect foundation, creating the breathing room necessary for the sprawling guitar riffs of Billy Gibbons and the driving basslines of the late Dusty Hill to thrive.
With his passing, Billy Gibbons now stands as the sole surviving member of the classic ZZ Top lineup. After the death of Dusty Hill in 2021, guitar tech Elwood Francis stepped into the bassist role, and the newly revamped rhythm section will now push forward to preserve the heavy blues-rock legacy they built together.
