Frank Beard, the longtime drummer of legendary rock band ZZ Top, has died at the age of 77, writes The Hollywood Reporter.
A representative for the band confirmed his death on Tuesday, saying Beard died in hospice care at his ranch in Richmond, Texas, with family members by his side. No cause of death was disclosed.
ZZ Top guitarist Billy Gibbons paid tribute to his longtime bandmate on Instagram, describing Beard as a “great friend and collaborator” and praising his distinctive contribution to the group’s sound.
“His signature backbeat was key to keeping ZZ on top,” Gibbons wrote.
Although Beard was not technically a founding member of ZZ Top, he joined the band in its early days in 1969 and remained its drummer for more than five decades.
Born on 11 June, 1949, in Frankston, Texas, Beard grew up in nearby Irving, where he met future ZZ Top bassist Dusty Hill.
Beard later suggested that Hill join the group alongside Gibbons.
The trio went on to become one of the most recognisable rock acts of their generation, blending Texas blues with hard rock and developing a distinctive visual identity.
ZZ Top achieved major commercial success with albums including Eliminator and Afterburner, while songs such as “Gimme All Your Lovin’” and “Sharp Dressed Man” became rock staples.
Beard was famously the only member of the group without the long beard that became synonymous with ZZ Top.
“If we played a soul song or a country song, whatever song we played, it would sound like ZZ Top,” Beard once told Kerrang!.
Following Beard’s death, Gibbons announced that ZZ Top would cancel its Tuesday night show in Sandy, Utah, and Wednesday’s concert in Colorado Springs.
The band plans to resume its tour this weekend at Austin City Limits, a venue Gibbons described as one of Beard’s favourites and a place that had become something of a second home to him.
The news comes weeks after ZZ Top cancelled a performance at the Hollywood Bowl because of what was described at the time as “unforeseen personnel matters”.
Rolling Stone later reported that Beard’s health was behind the cancellation.
Beard is survived by his wife, Debbie, and their three children.
