ZZ Top Drummer Frank Beard Dies at Age 77, Band Cancels Upcoming Shows

Frank Beard, longtime drummer for rock band ZZ Top, has died at the age of 77 while receiving hospice care at his ranch in Richmond, Texas.

Beard died on Aug. 17 surrounded by loved ones, his publicist Bob Merlis confirmed. An official cause of death, however, has not been disclosed.

“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,” said co-founder, singer, and guitarist Billy Gibbons in a statement.

“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.”

In response to the news, the band canceled its scheduled appearances in Salt Lake City and Colorado Springs and is expected to resume the remainder of its U.S. tour later this week.

“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,” read a statement from ZZ Top’s official Instagram.

Last year, the musician temporarily stepped away from performing, citing an unspecified “health issue” at the time. The band did not provide specific details of his condition, saying only that Beard was undergoing a health procedure.

John Douglas, fellow Texan and longtime drummer, percussionist and tech member, was named as Beard’s interim replacement, after previously filling in for the drummer when he underwent an emergency appendectomy in Paris in 2002.

Born in 1949 in Frankston, Texas, Beard served as the group’s top drummer since 1969 when he replaced co-founder Dan Mitchell, performing alongside Gibbons and bassist Dusty Hill, until Hill’s death in 2021.

Hill, 72, died in his sleep at his Houston home, the band announced at the time. Longtime guitar tech Elwood Francis took over as the group’s bassist, per Hill’s wishes.

The band became known for its signature blues sound and distinctive look, with Gibbons and Hill sporting sunglasses and hats along with long flowing hair and beards.

Ironically, Beard was the member of the band without flowing facial hair.

Best known for their hits “Sharp Dressed Man,” “La Grange,” “Gimme All Your Lovin’ ” and “Legs,” the band received three Grammy Award nominations.

Together they released 15 studio albums and sold an estimated 50 million records, but have not released any new music since “La Futura” in 2012.

In 2004, ZZ Top was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.