ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard dies aged 77

Longtime drummer for the rock group ZZ Top, Frank Beard, has died at the age of 77.

Beard died in hospice care at his ranch in Richmond, Texas, with family members by his side. His cause of death has not been disclosed.

The band formed in Texas in 1969 with the trio consisting of drummer Beard, lead vocalist Billy Gibbons and bassist Dusty Hill - who died in 2021 aged 72. After his death, Elwood Francis joined the band as bass player.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Gibbons said: "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," he continued. "The band of which he was a part for six decades is going to keep on keeping on as he had wished."

Last week, the band cancelled a show at the Hollywood Bowl due to Beard's health. ZZ Top will also no longer play their Tuesday concert in Salt Lake City or Wednesday in Colorado Springs.

ZZ Top will resume their ongoing The Big One! tour this weekend, with two shows at Austin City Limits in Texas.

They described the site as "one of Frank's favourite venues and in a city that had been something of a second home for him."

 

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