Rock and metal community mourns the loss of the Texas blues boogie legend as Billy Gibbons confirms band will continue touring
‘ZZ Top‘ drummer Frank Beard passed away on Monday, August 17, at the age of 77. Beard was in hospice care when he passed away at his ranch in Richmond, Texas, with family members at his side. His death was confirmed by the Fort Bend County Medical Examiner. An exact cause of death has not been disclosed.
‘ZZ Top’ founder and sole surviving original member Billy Gibbons paid tribute in a statement: “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 band of which he was a part for six decades is going to keep on keeping on, as he had wished.”
Beard’s drumming was undeniably a key part of ‘ZZ Top’s’ music and why so many fans fell in love with their songs. His work combined hard rock, Texas blues, and boogie to help establish the band’s penchant for grooves across absolute classics like “La Grange” and “Sharp Dressed Man.” He had been a member of the band since its very beginning, remaining in the lineup for over five decades.
Beard’s death came a little more than five years after the passing of bassist Dusty Hill. ‘ZZ Top’ had continued to tour with Elwood Francis on bass, and more recently, as Beard’s health began to decline, Michael Monahan filled in behind the drum kit. Earlier this month, the band was forced to cancel their August 5 show at the Hollywood Bowl, with Gibbons citing “insurmountable obstacles” at the time.
Following the news of Beard’s passing, ‘ZZ Top’ cancelled their planned shows on August 18 in Salt Lake City and August 19 in Colorado Springs. The band will resume their current “The Big One!” tour with two dates at ACL Live at The Moody Theater in Austin, Texas on August 22 and 23, described as “one of Frank’s favorite venues and in a city that had been something of a second home for him.”
The rock community has been quick to pay tribute. Former ‘Guns N’ Roses’ drummer Matt Sorum described Beard as “the backbone of ZZ Top for 57 years with the best shuffle known to man.” ‘Rage Against the Machine’ drummer Brad Wilk recalled a life-changing experience watching Beard play: “I first experienced ZZ Top at the LA Forum in high school for the Eliminator tour. My mind was BLOWN! Watching his two hand shuffle live was immense.”
‘Aerosmith’ bassist Tom Hamilton wrote: “Sad to hear about Frank Beard’s passing. They’ll have to look far and wide to find somebody who can do what he did.”
‘Living Colour’ guitarist Vernon Reid offered: “Rest In Power, Frank Beard. A great drummer, who wasn’t just part of an iconic band, but an institution in the best sense of the word. ZZ Top IS Texas! His last name was arguably the greatest ironic Dad Joke in Rock and Roll.”
‘Foghat’ reflected on decades of shared stages: “An incredible drummer and great guy. We’ve done so many shows with ZZ Top over the years and always a pleasure to share the stage with them. Our thoughts and love go out to Billy and Elwood, and of course his family and friends. Thank you Frank for your solid presence all these many years.”
All Metal extends its deepest condolences to Frank Beard’s family, friends, and bandmates.
