ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard dies aged 77

ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard has died aged 77 at his ranch in Richmond, Texas, with his family by his side.

According to a statement, Beard was receiving hospice care when he died on Monday, August 17. His longtime bandmate Billy Gibbons paid tribute to the drummer, who helped power ZZ Top for more than five decades.

“Today, Elwood [Francis, bass] 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," Gibbons said.

Beard had stepped away from touring in March 2025 due to unspecified health issues. He returned later that year, but was reportedly absent from ZZ Top's 2026 touring schedule.

Beard joined Gibbons in the early days of ZZ Top before bringing bassist Dusty Hill into the fold, completing the classic trio that would remain together for more than 50 years. He played on all 15 of the band's studio albums, from 1971's ZZ Top's First Album through to 2012's La Futura, helping drive classics including ‘Tush’ and ‘La Grange’.

Gibbons once summed up Beard's importance to the band pretty neatly in a 2020 interview: “There is no other drummer. There's one guy.”

Hill died in 2021 and was replaced by longtime guitar tech Elwood Francis, leaving Gibbons as the sole surviving member of ZZ Top's classic lineup.

The band has cancelled upcoming shows in Salt Lake City and Colorado Springs following Beard's death.

Rest in Peace, Frank Beard.