ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard dead at 77

Frank Beard, the longtime drummer for ZZ Top, has died at age 77. According to the band's publicist, Beard passed away on August 17 in hospice care at his ranch in Richmond, Texas, with family members at his side. No cause of death was disclosed.

Beard had been the drummer for ZZ Top for 56 years, having joined the band when it was formed in 1969 alongside guitarist Billy Gibbons and bassist Dusty Hill. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004.

Billy Gibbons released a statement following Beard's death: "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. 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."

Beard anchored the Texas band on hits including "La Grange," "Tush," and "Cheap Sunglasses" during its run spanning multiple decades.

In March 2025, the band announced that Beard had temporarily stepped away from its then-current tour to attend to an unspecified health issue. At that time, the band said Beard was looking forward to a speedy recovery.

Last week, ZZ Top canceled a concert scheduled for August 5 at the Hollywood Bowl due to Beard's health. Following his death, the band canceled two additional shows: one in Salt Lake City and another in Colorado Springs. The band plans to resume performances this weekend with two dates in Austin.

Dusty Hill, the band's original bassist, died in 2021. At his request, he was replaced by his longtime bass tech, Elwood Francis, who continues with the band.