ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard dies aged 77

Tuesday, August 18, 2026

Tributes paid to great friend and collaborator' who played with band for 56 years and died in hospice care in Texas

Posted by Corky at 07:30 PM | 6 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

A spokesperson for the band confirmed that Beard died on 17 August in hospice care at his ranch in Richmond, Texas. His family were by his side.

In a statement, ZZ Top singer Billy Gibbons said: "Today, Elwood [Francis] 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 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 owing to Beard's health. ZZ Top will also no longer play their Tuesday concert in Salt Lake City or Wednesday in Colorado Springs.

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"In public, Beard consistently adopted a humble attitude towards his success. When ZZ Top were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, he said: "All I have to say is that most of my life has been a pleasant surprise, and so is this. Thank you."

Obligatory:

www.youtube.com

#1 | Posted by Corky at 2026-08-18 07:34 PM | Reply

"During the Vietnam War draft, band members Tom Moore (keyboardist) and Don Summers (bass player) received low draft numbers and had to leave the group for military service.

Formation of the Trio: This disruption forced Gibbons to start fresh, eventually teaming up with Frank Beard and Dusty Hill to form ZZ Top." (AI)

;;
I remember hearing friends of those two members at the time talk about them being drafted... which was disturbing news for all kinds of reasons; them having to leave the band, and most of the rest of us possibly being next.

RIP Frank.

#2 | Posted by Corky at 2026-08-18 07:40 PM | Reply

Flashback
Watch ZZ Top Perform Tush' at Band's Final Concert With Original Lineup
This July 18, 2021, gig in Louisville, Kentucky, marked the end of one of the single most enduring lineups in rock history

By Andy Greene

August 18, 2026

www.rollingstone.com

#3 | Posted by Corky at 2026-08-18 08:05 PM | Reply

I saw them in Memphis when I was in "A" school in Millington TN. With Lynyrd Skynyrd, Blue Oyster cult and The Outlaws. 7/4/76

RIP Frank

#4 | Posted by willowby at 2026-08-18 08:24 PM | Reply

I seen ZZ Top open fer Deep Purple at the Omni in Atl in 1973.

It was loud AF.

Frank was good.

RIP.

#5 | Posted by Angrydad at 2026-08-18 09:21 PM | Reply

RIP Frank Beard. Really one of the best bands of the era.

When you ask people what are the best bands they saw live, if they saw ZZ Top, it's in the Pantheon.

#6 | Posted by snoofy at 2026-08-18 10:18 PM | Reply