Frank Beard, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame drummer of ZZ Top, dies at 77

Frank Beard, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame drummer of ZZ Top, dies at 77

Frank Beard, the drummer for the Texas-based rock trio ZZ Top, has died at the age of 77. According to publicist Bob Merlis, Beard passed away on Tuesday at his ranch in Richmond, Texas, while in hospice care, surrounded by his family.

Beard's death was confirmed by the band's lead singer, Billy Gibbons, who paid tribute to him as a "great friend and collaborator." Gibbons stated that Beard's signature backbeat was key to keeping ZZ Top's sound unique and that the band will continue to perform as he had wished. As 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. The band of which he was part for six decades is going to keep on keeping on as he had wished."

Beard joined ZZ Top in 1969, along with Gibbons and bassist Dusty Hill, and the trio maintained their original lineup for over five decades. The band was known for their hits like "Sharp Dressed Man," "Legs," and "Gimme All Your Lovin'," and their distinctive look, which included long, bushy beards on Gibbons and Hill, and dark sunglasses for all.

ZZ Top's music was a unique blend of rock, blues, and funk, and they were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. The band had sold more than 50 million records and had six No. 1 singles on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Airplay chart. As Gibbons told The Dallas Morning News, "The best way to describe ZZ Top is we're interpreters of a great American art form."

Beard's career with ZZ Top spanned over 50 years, and he played on all of the band's 15 studio albums. He was known for his tight, understated drumming style, which supplied the rhythmic foundation beneath Gibbons' guitar and Hill's bass. In the 2019 documentary "ZZ Top: That Little Ol' Band from Texas," Beard said, "I've found the people I was meant to play with. I never wanted to quit, and never wanted to get fired."

In recent years, Beard had been dealing with health issues, which forced him to temporarily step away from the band's tour in March 2025. The band had cancelled their August 5 concert at the Hollywood Bowl due to Beard's health issues, and they have now cancelled two upcoming shows in Salt Lake City and Colorado Springs following his death.

Despite Beard's passing, ZZ Top will resume their current tour, The Big One!, this weekend in Austin, Texas. The band has stated that they will continue to perform as a tribute to Beard's memory and to honor his wishes. As stated on the band's official account, "The band will resume its current The Big One! Tour this weekend with two dates in at Austin City Limits, one of Frank's favorite venues and in a city that had been something of a second home for him."

Beard is survived by his wife, Debbie Meredith, and his three children. His death marks the loss of the final member of ZZ Top's classic trio, following the death of Dusty Hill in 2021.

ZZ Top's music and legacy continue to be celebrated by fans around the world, and Frank Beard's contributions to the band's sound and success will always be remembered. As Gibbons stated, "The band of which he was part for six decades is going to keep on keeping on as he had wished."

Tributes have flooded in for Beard, with fans and fellow musicians paying their respects to the legendary drummer. His memory will live on through the band's iconic songs and performances, and his influence on rock music will continue to be felt for generations to come.