ZZ Top Drummer Frank Beard Dies

ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard has died, leaving behind a legacy as one of music's most innovative drummers. Billy Gibbons, ZZ Top's frontman, expressed his grief, stating, "Today we lost a great friend and colleague. The world lost one of its most innovative drummers and Texas its true and dignified son."

Gibbons further elaborated on Beard's impact, noting, "His unique and infallible sense of rhythm was the key that kept ZZ Top at the top for decades." The band, currently on tour in the United States, has canceled their upcoming concerts in Salt Lake City and Colorado Springs. They plan to resume performing in October with two shows at Austin City Limits, a venue described as one of Frank's favorite places and a city he considered his second home.

Frank Beard joined ZZ Top in 1969, shortly after Gibbons founded the band. Beard is credited with bringing legendary bassist Dusty Hill into the lineup; Hill passed away in 2021. Beard's masterful rhythmic execution provided the solid foundation for ZZ Top's enduring hits, including "La Grange" and "Tush."

Despite ongoing health concerns in recent years, Beard continued to perform with the band. Earlier in August, ZZ Top was forced to cancel a performance at the Hollywood Bowl due to "insurmountable obstacles," which were later revealed to be related to Beard's deteriorating health.

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Today we lost a great friend and colleague. The world lost one of its most innovative drummers and Texas its true and dignified son. His unique and infallible sense of rhythm was the key that kept ZZ Top at the top for decades.