ZZ Top Play First Show Since Death of ‘Dear Drummer’ Frank Beard

After the demise of their longtime drummer Frank Beard, ZZ Top has returned to the stage for the first time since his passing. The Texas blues-rock band took to the stage at Austin's Moody Theater on Saturday, August 22, marking their return after Beard's death earlier in the week. Frank Beard, who had been a part of the band for 50 years, died at the age of 77 on Monday, August 17.

The band canceled two tour dates in Salt Lake City and Colorado Springs following Beard's death on August 18 and 19, respectively. However, they quickly rescheduled and played a back-to-back show at Austin City Limits. Drummer Michael Monahan took the stage on Saturday, stepping in for Beard who had been dealing with health issues in recent years. John Douglas, their longtime drum tech, had also been filling in for Beard during this time.

During the performance, frontman Billy Gibbons briefly mentioned Beard's passing during the group's introductions after the first song, introducing the new drummer Monahan as "the new man in town." He then shifted his tone to an upbeat one, telling the audience, "We're all here for a celebration, you know what's going on. So we're gonna have a good time."

Following Beard's death, ZZ Top quickly returned to the stage following the band's loss of longtime bassist Dusty Hill in 2021. Francis, the band's guitar tech for 20 years, filled in for Hill on bass just days after the announcement of Hill's death at the age of 72. The band remains on the road through October as part of their The Big One! Tour, and will continue to tour South America in November. It has yet to be determined if Monahan will continue to play the drums during these additional performances.