ZZ Top has lost the drummer whose unmistakable rhythm helped power the Texas rock band for more than half a century. Frank Beard died Tuesday, August 18, at 77 while receiving hospice care at his ranch in Richmond, Texas. His family was with him at the time, according to his publicist.
According to Fox News, Billy Gibbons paid tribute to his longtime friend and collaborator, praising the drummer’s natural talent and the distinctive backbeat that became such an important part of ZZ Top’s sound. The loss comes five years after bassist Dusty Hill died in 2021, leaving another enormous absence in the classic trio that spent decades making music together.
ZZ Top Mourns Frank Beard at 77
View this post on Instagram
Beard had dealt with health issues in recent years. In March 2025, ZZ Top announced that he would temporarily step away from touring because of foot and ankle problems. His health later affected more performances, and the group canceled its August 5, 2026, Hollywood Bowl concert amid concerns about his condition.
Following his death, the band also canceled scheduled concerts in Salt Lake City and Colorado Springs. Still, Gibbons indicated that ZZ Top intends to continue performing, honoring what he said Beard wanted for the group. For fans who watched the trio remain together through changing musical eras, the loss marks the end of another important chapter in the band’s remarkable history.
His Signature Beat Helped Define ZZ Top
Beard joined forces with Gibbons in 1969 and later brought longtime musical partner Dusty Hill into the lineup. Together, the three musicians created a sound that blended blues, rock, funk, and Texas boogie. Their breakthrough arrived in the 1970s with songs such as “La Grange” and “Tush,” while the 1980s brought an even larger audience through hits including “Sharp Dressed Man,” “Legs,” and “Gimme All Your Lovin’.” ZZ Top sold more than 50 million records and became MTV-era icons. In 2004, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inducted the band, cementing its place in rock history.
Through it all, Frank Beard remained the steady force behind the drum kit. In the 2019 documentary ZZ Top: That Little Ol’ Band from Texas, he reflected on how fortunate he felt to have found the musicians he belonged with. That sense of loyalty defined an extraordinary partnership that lasted for decades. Now, every familiar opening beat and driving rhythm offers fans another reminder of the musician who helped keep that “Little Ol’ Band from Texas” moving for more than 50 years.