ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard has died at age 77, according to the Houston-based rock band. The band announced his death on its website and said he passed away at his ranch in Richmond, southwest of Houston.
Billy Gibbons, ZZ Top’s guitarist, said in a statement that Beard was a great friend and collaborator, according to keranews.org. Gibbons added that Beard’s signature backbeat helped keep ZZ Top at the top of the music scene.
According to the band’s website, Beard had been in hospice care at his home before his death. Frank Beard was born in Frankston, Texas, on June 11, 1949.
He joined ZZ Top in 1969 when the band formed in Houston with Beard, guitarist Billy Gibbons, and bassist Dusty Hill as original members. Gibbons and Hill gave the band a signature look with long beards, while Beard did not grow one.
Their 1984 album ‘Eliminator’ became a major success, featuring hits like ‘Gimme All Your Lovin,’ ‘Sharp Dressed Man,’ and ‘Legs.’ The album sold more than 10 million copies and was certified Diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America.
Beard and his fellow bandmates were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003. Beard was the second original member of ZZ Top to have died.
Bassist Dusty Hill died in July 2021 at age 72. Since Hill’s death, bassist Elwood Francis has since served as ZZ Top’s bassist.
Beard had been dealing with health issues for more than a year before his death, according to a report from pagesix.com. He returned to touring in September of that year, and his final performance with ZZ Top was in November 2025.
Beard was notably absent from the band’s The Big One! tour, which began in March. Fans noticed he did not appear on stage during the tour, and the band canceled a show in August due to his illness.
At that time, the band did not mention Beard’s health directly, but it was later confirmed he was unwell. Drummer Michael Monahan replaced him for the remainder of the tour.
Beard returned to performing later that year, and his last public appearance was on Nov. 2. He died on August 17, after a stay in hospice care, according to the Fort Bend County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Beard was 77 years old at the time of his death. The cause of death has not been officially released, and no autopsy will be performed.
Beard was an original member of ZZ Top, which formed in 1969. The band’s original lineup included frontman Billy Gibbons and late bassist Dusty Hill.
After Hill passed away in 2021, Elwood Francis joined the band to replace him as bassist. ZZ Top has released 15 studio albums and sold an estimated 50 million records throughout their career.
The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. ZZ Top maintained their original lineup for more than five decades.
The band’s sound was influenced by British power trio Cream and blues artist Jimmy Reed. Billy Gibbons, who founded ZZ Top, said that Beard’s drumming was a key part of the band’s identity, Yahoo News reported.
He added that Beard’s backbeat helped keep ZZ Top at the top of the music scene. ZZ Top sold more than 50 million records and had six singles that reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart.
IMAGE: Frank Beard – Brian Marks / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)