Frank Beard, ZZ Top’s longtime drummer, has died at age 77. The band announced Beard’s death Tuesday in a post on its official Facebook page.
Frank Beard, ZZ Top’s longtime drummer, has died at age 77. The band announced Beard’s death Tuesday in a post on its official Facebook page. Details regarding his cause of death and age were not immediately available.
Beard reportedly died Monday after a stay in hospice. He had recently stepped away from ZZ Top’s tour because of serious health issues. A specific cause of death has not yet been disclosed.
ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons paid tribute to Beard as a great friend and collaborator.
“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.” - Billy F Gibbons
Beard had been behind the drums for the band for more than five decades and played on all 15 of its studio albums.
Following Frank’s passing, ZZ Top has canceled its upcoming shows in Salt Lake City and Colorado Springs. The band will resume its current tour this weekend with two dates in at Austin City Limits, one of Frank’s favorite venues and in a city that had been something of a second home for him.
This leaves Billy Gibbons as the sole surviving member of ZZ Top’s classic trio; bassist Dusty Hill died in 2021 at 72. Following Hill's death, the band continued touring with longtime guitar technician Elwood Francis taking over on bass.
Alongside bandmate Billy Gibbons and the late Dusty Hill, Beard formed the backbone of ZZ Top’s classic lineup, which powered hits such as "La Grange," "Tush," "Sharp Dressed Man," "Legs" and "Gimme All Your Lovin'."
While Gibbons and Hill became internationally recognized for their chest-length facial hair, Beard famously was the only member of the group without a long beard. Despite the irony, his precise, driving rhythm was essential to the band's signature Texas sound and stadium performances.
The band was scheduled to play at the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino in Eagle Pass on August 21. The casino said they are cancelling the event out of respect for the band. "Out of respect for the band during this difficult time, the ZZ Top concert scheduled for Friday, August 21st at Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino has been canceled."
