Frank Beard, the drummer for rock band ZZ Top, has died at 77.
Bob Merlis, the band’s representative, confirmed the news to Rolling Stone. Beard was surrounded by family when he died in hospice care in Richmond, Texas. A cause of death has not been confirmed.
The band — which still includes singer/guitarist Billy Gibbons — shared a statement announcing his death on Instagram.
“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. – Billy F Gibbons,” the Instagram caption read.
ZZ Top has canceled its shows in Salt Lake City and Colorado Springs following Beard’s death.
“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,” the Instagram caption continued.
ZZ Top recently canceled an August 5 concert at the Hollywood Bowl due to “insurmountable obstacles.”
The band is currently on tour with performances scheduled through October.
Beard, meanwhile, announced his departure from the band in March 2025 due to an unspecified “health issue.”
The Texas band told fans that Beard would miss their Elevation tour because he needs to undergo a health procedure.
“Shelter Music Group, ZZ Top’s management, has announced the band’s drummer, Mr Frank Beard, has temporarily stepped away from the current tour to attend a health issue requiring his focus in the near term,” a social media statement posted to the band’s accounts said.
Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music
Sign up now for a 30-day free trial. Terms apply.
ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
Beard joined the band in 1969 after replacing founder Dan Mitchell on drums, with singer/guitarist Gibbons and bassist Dusty Hill completing the lineup.
Together with Beard, they grew their hair long and dyed it blue to match their name.
“In the Sixties, having long hair in Texas, you took your life in your hands,” Hill told the Dallas Morning News in 2008. “But having long hair and blue hair, people just assumed we were nuts and left us alone.”
Named in part after Texas blues singer ZZ Hill, the band played some of their first shows at cafeterias and lumber yards.
They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, and have continued to experiment with their later work, including 2012’s La Futura, which was co-produced by the legendary Rick Rubin.
The lineup has been mostly unchanged for 51 years. Longtime bassist Dusty Hill played with the band from the late Sixties until his death in July 2021. It was announced that longtime guitar tech Elwood Francis would play bass, per Hill’s wishes.