Frank Beard, longtime drummer for the legendary blues rock trio ZZ Top, has died at age 77.
"It was announced today that Frank Beard, ZZ Top's drummer for the past 56 years, has died. He was in hospice care when he passed away at his ranch in Richmond, TX with family members at his side," according to a statement Tuesday from the band's publicist. No cause of death was given.
A message posted on the band's official Twitter account in March 2025 announced that Beard had "temporarily stepped away" from the band's then-current tour to attend to an unspecified health issue, and that Beard was "looking forward to a speedy recovery."
"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," front man Billy Gibbons posted online.
Elwood Francis has been the band's bassist since founding bassist Dusty Hill died in 2021 at age 72. With Beard's passing, Gibbons is now the sole remaining member of the original trio.
Born on June 11, 1949 in Frankston, Texas, Beard joined the Houston-based band The Moving Sidewalks in 1969, which featured vocalist, guitarist and songwriter Gibbons. The band soon changed its name to ZZ Top and, following the departure of some members and the addition of Hill, the trio recorded their debut album, 1971's aptly titled "ZZ Top's First Album."
With a lineup unchanged for over half a century, the "Little 'Ol Band from Texas" released 15 studio albums during Beard's tenure.
