Frank Beard, ZZ Top Drummer, Dies at 77

Frank Beard, the renowned drummer for the iconic rock band ZZ Top, passed away on Monday, August 17, at the age of 77. According to a press release from longtime band publicist Bob Merlis, Beard was "in hospice care when he passed away at his ranch in Richmond, TX with family members at his side." He had been a member of ZZ Top since 1969, replacing the original bassist Billy Ethridge, who was later replaced by Dusty Hill to form the band's famous power-trio lineup.

Beard's explosive and swinging drumming style was instrumental in shaping ZZ Top's sound, particularly on their groundbreaking album Tres Hombres. His precise stick-tapping and dynamic rhythm on the hit single "La Grange" played a pivotal role in the band's success throughout the late '70s and early '80s. However, Beard struggled with substance abuse during this period, leading the band to go on hiatus as he sought to overcome his issues.

He ultimately found sobriety in the early '80s and helped ZZ Top achieve commercial success with the release of the album Eliminator in 1983, which included three MTV hits.

Despite the band's continued success in the '80s, ZZ Top's sound evolved, and they shifted towards a more blues-rock style with their 1990 album Recycler. While the band still enjoyed commercial success, their popularity declined as the music landscape changed. ZZ Top remained active, releasing two more albums in the 21st century and touring extensively with the same three-man lineup since 1969.

ZZ Top was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, and the band was the subject of a Netflix documentary in 2019. Sadly, the passing of Frank Beard marks the end of an era, as Billy Gibbons is now the only surviving member of the band's original lineup.