ZZ Top Drummer Frank Beard Dies at 77, Band Cancels Shows

Frank Beard, the drummer whose steady backbeat powered ZZ Top for nearly six decades, has died at age 77, according to the Fort Bend County Medical Examiner. Beard passed away on August 17 at his Texas ranch, with family by his side, after a stay in hospice care. A cause of death has not been disclosed.

ZZ Top immediately canceled its scheduled Tuesday night show in Salt Lake City and Wednesday’s performance in Colorado Springs. The band plans to resume this weekend with two dates at Austin City Limits, a venue that held special meaning for Beard.

Gibbons Pays Tribute

ZZ Top founder Billy F. Gibbons released a statement mourning his bandmate and longtime friend.

“Today, Elwood [Francis] 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,” Gibbons said. “His signature backbeat was key to keeping ZZ on top. The band of which he was part for six decades is going to keep on keeping on as he had wished.”

The statement, also shared by Variety, referenced Beard’s given name—Frank Lee Beard—and Gibbons’ nickname for him, “Elwood.”

Health Struggles and Recent Cancellations

Beard’s health had been a concern in recent weeks. TMZ reported that his condition forced ZZ Top to cancel an August 5 concert at the Hollywood Bowl. Just last week, the band scrapped another Los Angeles show after Beard was hospitalized.

The cancellations underscore how central Beard remained to the band’s live performances, even as the group continued touring with Gibbons and bassist Dusty Hill’s replacement, Elwood Francis, who joined after Hill’s death in 2021.

A Six-Decade Legacy

Beard, who joined ZZ Top in 1969 alongside Gibbons and Hill, was the rhythmic foundation of hits like “La Grange,” “Tush,” and “Sharp Dressed Man.” His distinctive, groove-oriented style earned him recognition as one of rock’s most dependable and inventive drummers.

Despite his long career, Beard was known for his relatively low-key presence—a stark contrast to the band’s famously bearded image. In fact, he was the only member who did not sport a beard, a quirk that became part of ZZ Top lore.

The band’s decision to continue, as Gibbons put it, “keep on keeping on” reflects both Beard’s wishes and the resilience of a group that has weathered loss before. As fans mourn, the upcoming Austin City Limits shows will serve as a tribute to a musician whose rhythm defined a generation of rock.

Source: www.thegatewaypundit.com — https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/08/zz-top-drummer-dead-77/