Drummer Frank Beard of ZZ Top Passes Away at 77

Frank Beard, the drummer of the Texas rock trio ZZ Top, has died at the age of 77. Known for keeping the beat on hits like “Sharp Dressed Man,” “Legs,” and “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” Beard passed away on Tuesday at his ranch in Richmond, Texas, surrounded by family. Publicist Bob Merlis confirmed Beard was in hospice care at the time of his death.

Billy Gibbons, ZZ Top’s co-founder and guitarist, released a statement while on tour with bassist Elwood Francis. He expressed their loss, saying, “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 which he was part of for six decades is going to keep on keeping on as he had wished.”

Throughout his career, ZZ Top sold over 50 million records. The band achieved six singles that reached the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart. Additionally, seven of their albums made it into the Top 10 of Billboard 200, and they received three Grammy Award nominations.

In the 2019 documentary “ZZ Top: That Little Ol’ Band from Texas,” Beard described his enduring connection with his bandmates, saying, “I’ve found the people I was meant to play with. I never wanted to quit, and never wanted to get fired.” His commitment to music and his bandmates resonated throughout his career.