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ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard dies at 77
🇨🇭 Switzerland /Culture & Society

ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard dies at 77

From Le Temps · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Outcome reported
  • Frank Beard, the historic drummer for the blues-rock trio ZZ Top, has died at the age of 77.
  • The band announced his death, stating he had recently stopped touring due to unspecified health issues.
  • Beard's characteristic drumming was essential to ZZ Top's success, and his death has led to the cancellation of two upcoming concerts.

Frank Beard, the enduring drummer for the iconic Texas blues-rock band ZZ Top, has passed away at the age of 77. The band confirmed his death on Tuesday, noting that Beard had recently ceased touring with the group due to undisclosed health problems.

He was in palliative care when he died at his ranch in Richmond, Texas, surrounded by his family.

— ZZ TopThe band's statement details the circumstances of Frank Beard's passing.

According to a statement on the band's website, Beard died at his ranch in Richmond, Texas, while in palliative care and surrounded by family. Billy Gibbons, the band's guitarist and singer, remembered Beard as "one of the most naturally innovative drummers" and a "great and true son of Texas." Gibbons emphasized that Beard's distinctive drumming style was crucial to maintaining ZZ Top's prominence.

The world has lost one of the most naturally innovative drummers there is, as well as a great and true son of Texas.

— Billy GibbonsZZ Top's guitarist and singer pays tribute to Frank Beard.

Formed in Houston in 1969, ZZ Top became a quintessential American rock band, known for hits like "La Grange," "Gimme All Your Lovin'," and "Sharp Dressed Man." The group's visual identity was famously defined by the long beards of Gibbons and bassist Dusty Hill, who passed away in 2021. Hill was succeeded by Elwood Francis, a long-time band technician.

His characteristic drum beat played an essential role in keeping ZZ at the top.

— Billy GibbonsBilly Gibbons highlights the musical contribution of Frank Beard to ZZ Top's success.

The death of Frank Beard has necessitated the cancellation of ZZ Top's concerts scheduled for Tuesday in Salt Lake City and Wednesday in Colorado Springs. The band plans to resume its current tour, "The Big One! Tour," this weekend with two performances at Austin City Limits, a venue described as one of Frank's favorites and a city that had become like a second home to him.

The death of Frank Beard leads to the cancellation of ZZ Top's concerts scheduled for tonight in Salt Lake City and Wednesday in Colorado Springs.

— ZZ TopThe band announces the immediate impact of Beard's death on their tour schedule.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Le Temps in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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