ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard dies aged 77

Frank Beard, the drummer for the Texas boogie-rock trio ZZ Top, has died at the age of 77. According to Billboard, he passed away on August 17 in hospice care at his ranch in Richmond, Texas, with family members at his side. Beard was the only member of the Texas power trio without a beard and had been with the band for over 50 years, propelling their blend of boogie, Southern rock, and blues.

Beard had stepped away from touring with the band earlier this summer, with drummer Michael Monahan taking his place. Despite his passing, ZZ Top will continue their summer US tour dates, only canceling two shows. The band will resume touring on August 21 at Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino in Eagle Pass, Texas. According to Consequence, frontman Billy Gibbons stated that the band will "keep on keeping on" as Beard had wished.

Beard had been with ZZ Top since 1969 and was a crucial part of the band's sonic identity, playing on many of their biggest hits, including "Sharp Dressed Man," "Legs," and "Gimme All Your Lovin'". The New York Times noted that he was a key element in the band's success, which included national rock stardom in the mid-1970s with the release of "Tres Hombres".

Brief written by urgent.news from The Sydney Morning Herald, The New York Times, NYT Arts, Consequence, Billboard — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.