ZZ Top's longtime drummer Frank Beard has died at the age of 77, prompting the band to cancel two upcoming concerts before resuming their tour this weekend. Beard passed away on Monday at his ranch in Richmond, Texas, surrounded by family while in hospice care, according to the band's representative, Bob Merlis. The cause of death has not been disclosed, but Beard had stepped away from the tour in March due to an unspecified health issue.
Tour Cancellations and Resumption
As a result of Beard's death, ZZ Top has cancelled their scheduled performance on Tuesday night in Salt Lake City and Wednesday's show in Colorado Springs. However, the group announced that the tour will resume this weekend in Austin, Texas. Earlier this month, the band also pulled out of a gig at Los Angeles' Hollywood Bowl at short notice, citing 'insurmountable obstacles,' which were later revealed to be connected to Beard's health.
Tributes from Bandmates
In a tribute posted on the band's official Instagram account, frontman Billy Gibbons wrote: '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 post, accompanied by a smiling photo of Beard wearing sunglasses and a picture of him behind the drums, continued: 'Following Frank's passing, ZZ Top has cancelled its upcoming shows in Salt Lake City and Colorado Springs. The band will resume its current The Big One! Tour this weekend with two dates at Austin City Limits, one of Frank's favorite venues and in a city that had been something of a second home for him.'
Beard's Musical Legacy
Beard first connected with Gibbons after ZZ Top released their debut single 'Salt Lick,' which featured Dan Mitchell on drums. Beard was responsible for bringing in bassist Dusty Hill. In the 2019 documentary 'ZZ Top: That Little Ol' Band from Texas,' Beard recalled their first jam session, joking: 'I was jacked up on speed, so I made him jam for about eight hours 'til his tongue just fell out.' Gibbons added: 'It didn't take 30 minutes, it didn't take 30 seconds — I knew that Frank Beard had the kind of chops that I was looking for. He played fiercely. He played with determination.'
Born in Frankston, Texas, in June 1949, Beard played in high school bands before meeting Hill on the Dallas music scene, performing together in 1960s groups including the Warlocks and American Blues. He briefly left music when he married his pregnant girlfriend Catherine Alexander, but after moving to Houston, he joined Gibbons' band, later bringing in Hill, and they changed their name to ZZ Top. Their 1971 debut LP, 'ZZ Top's First Album,' failed to chart, but the band developed a strong live following and broke through with their 1974 record 'Tres Hombres.'
ZZ Top went on hiatus briefly in 1976, partly so Beard could get sober, before returning in 1979. They reached their commercial peak in the 1980s and early 1990s and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. Hill died in 2021, and the band continued touring with bassist Elwood Francis. Beard is survived by his wife, Debbie Meredith, and his three children.
