Frank Beard, the longtime drummer of ZZ Top, has died at 77 while receiving hospice care at his ranch in Richmond, Texas, with family members by his side.
Frank Beard died Aug. 17, according to the band’s spokesperson and publicist. The Fort Bend County Medical Examiner’s Office also confirmed his death to Fox News Digital. No cause of death was immediately provided in the supplied reports.
ZZ Top singer Billy F. Gibbons described Beard as a close friend and collaborator, praising his innovative drumming and calling him a great Texan.
Gibbons said Beard’s distinctive backbeat played a key role in the band’s success and added that ZZ Top would continue as Beard had wished.
Beard grew up in Frankston, Texas, and performed with local rock groups before joining ZZ Top in 1971.
Although he was not a founding member, he became the band’s definitive drummer and helped shape recordings including “La Grange,” “Tush” and “Legs.”
The drummer’s career also included periods of personal and professional difficulty. Drug addiction contributed to a ZZ Top hiatus during the band’s rise in the late 1970s.
Beard later became sober and returned to touring with the group for decades. His health affected his work at several points.
An emergency appendectomy caused him to miss performances in 2002, while undisclosed health problems led him to step away from touring in 2025.
The band later canceled a Hollywood Bowl appearance because of his condition. Beard’s death follows that of bassist Dusty
Hill, who died at 72 in 2021. Elwood Francis subsequently joined ZZ Top on bass, allowing the group to continue touring.
ZZ Top has sold more than 50 million records, earned three Grammy nominations and placed seven albums in the Billboard 200’s Top 10. Six singles reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart.
ZZ Top canceled its scheduled Salt Lake City and Colorado Springs concerts after Beard’s death. The band said it plans to resume its tour with two performances at Austin City Limits, one of Beard’s favorite venues.
