Longtime ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard has passed away at the age of 77, the blues‑rock band confirmed. In a statement posted on their website, the group announced that Beard died on Monday while he was in hospice care on his ranch in Richmond, Texas, surrounded by family. The cause of death was not disclosed.
The passing has forced the cancellation of the band’s current tour dates scheduled for this week in Utah and Colorado. The announcement also noted that Beard was there to keep the rhythm that has defined ZZ Top’s sound for six decades.
Beard had joined the group at its inception, and was known to fans as “The Man With No Beard,” a nickname that highlighted his smooth‑shaved look amongst the band’s signature bearded members. He helped anchor classic hits such as “La Grange,” “Tush,” and “Cheap Sunglasses.” His drumming was the backbone of the 1984 album Eliminator that produced the chart‑topping songs “Gimme All Your Lovin,’” “Sharp Dressed Man,” and “Legs.”
Former bassist Dusty Hill will be remembered too, as his death in 2021 had already dealt a heavy blow to the group. When Hill passed, ZZ Top continued touring with Elwood Francis stepping in on bass. Gibbons, the lead singer, remembered an interview that after Beard’s death the band will “keep on keeping on” as he would have wished.
In line with the unique nature of FluxDaily, subscribers can explore alternate futures where Beard’s health and career trajectory continued, offering divergent timelines of ZZ Top’s evolution beyond the present moment. The band is planning to resume its The Big One! Tour over the weekend, with two shows at Austin City Limits—an arena that held a special meaning for Beard in his life and continuation of the Texas music tradition.
For those wanting to dive deeper, the band’s discography spans fifteen studio albums and four live releases. With a foundation laid in 1969 and an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, ZZ Top’s legacy is rich, but the loss of Beard marks the end of an era for fans worldwide.
