ZZ Top Drummer Frank Beard Dies at 77

Frank Beard, the legendary drummer for ZZ Top, passed away on Monday, August 17, at the age of 77. He was cared for in hospice in Richmond, Texas, with his family by his side. The band's lead singer, Billy Gibbons, mourned the loss of a "great friend and collaborator" and acknowledged Beard's innovative drumming as a "key to keeping ZZ on top."

Born in Frankston, Texas in 1949, Beard discovered his passion for drums as a teenager and first met future bassist Dusty Hill in Dallas. They began performing together at folk venues, and in 1969, Beard joined ZZ Top shortly after the band's formation. He quickly proposed the addition of Hill to the group. Together, they released 11 gold albums that blended blues, boogie, and rock, with Beard's mastery of the Texas shuffle driving hits like "La Grange" and "Tush."

In 1976, Beard took a three-year hiatus from the band due to substance abuse issues but returned for ZZ Top's 1979 release, Degüello. Despite his health decline in recent years, Beard continued to perform with the band. ZZ Top is currently touring in the U.S. but has postponed shows in Salt Lake City and Colorado Springs. They will resume their schedule with two performances at Austin City Limits in October, a venue that Gibbons described as "one of Frank's favorite venues."