ZZ Top Drummer Frank Beard Dead At 77

Frank Beard, the drummer for the iconic rock band ZZ Top, has died at the age of 77. He was in hospice care at his ranch in Richmond, Texas, surrounded by his family.

Beard was a member of ZZ Top's classic lineup, which also included founding singer-guitarist Billy Gibbons and bassist Dusty Hill. Hill passed away in 2021, leaving Gibbons as the sole remaining musician from the group's half-century run as kings of Texas boogie-rock.

The band's music has had a significant influence on rock history, with hits like "Sharp Dressed Man," "La Grange," "Legs," "Tush," and "Gimme All Your Lovin." They have sold more than 50 million records, racked up six #1 hits on *Billboard*'s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart, and put seven albums in the Billboard 200 top 10.

Beard had been touring with Gibbons and bassist Elwood Francis until earlier this month, when he dropped off the tour due to an undisclosed health issue. Substitute drummer Michael Monahan took his place, and the band announced that it would cancel its shows in Salt Lake City and Colorado Springs.

Gibbons released a statement paying tribute to Beard, saying, "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." He also noted that the band would continue to perform as Beard had wished.

Beard's career with ZZ Top spanned over 56 years, and he played a key role in shaping the band's sound. He was born in Frankston, Texas, in 1949, and grew up in the Dallas area, where he began playing the drums and formed garage bands with future ZZ Top bandmate Dusty Hill.

The band's history is marked by significant milestones, including their debut album, *ZZ Top's First Album*, released in 1971. They went on to become rock radio staples, blending smokin' blues-rock and Southern boogie. In the late '70s, the band went on hiatus for three years while Beard went to rehab for various drug addictions.

When ZZ Top returned from hiatus, Gibbons and Hill adopted the matching hats, sunglasses, and chest-length beards that became the group's visual signature. In the '80s, they evolved their music significantly, incorporating elements of punk and new wave into their sound.

Beard's hard-swinging backbeats were essential to the group's appeal, and his musical intelligence and stylistic flair helped shape their sound. He will be remembered as one of the greatest power trios in rock history, rooted in American classics but unafraid to experiment.

## ZZ Top's Discography

| Album | Release Year | Billboard 200 Top 10 | | --- | --- | --- | | *ZZ Top's First Album* | 1971 | - | | *El Loco* | 1981 | - | | *Eliminator* | 1983 | - | | *Afterburner* | 1985 | - | | *Eliminator* | 1983 | #1 | | *Afterburner* | 1985 | #1 | | *Recycler* | 1989 | #1 |

## ZZ Top's Achievements

* Sold over 50 million records * Racked up six #1 hits on *Billboard*'s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart * Put seven albums in the Billboard 200 top 10 * Earned three Grammy nominations