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Frank Beard, drummer for ZZ Top, died at the age of 77, his rep Bob Merlis confirmed in a statement to Vulture. He died in hospice care, surrounded by family, at his home in Richmond, Texas, on August 17. ZZ Top founder Billy Gibbons remembered his bandmate in a statement, writing, “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.” The band had several concerts scheduled for this week but canceled their shows in Salt Lake City and Colorado Springs. They’ll resume their tour this weekend in Eagle Pass, Texas.
Ironically, Beard was the only member of the band without a beard. As a three-man band, it was difficult for the band to fight and bicker with each other — fewer members, fewer people to fight with. Beard explained to Kerrang! on the longevity of the band, “First and foremost, I guess it’s because there’s only three of us, so there’s only two other guys to argue with.” Beard joined the band in 1969 and, along with the late Dusty Hill and Gibbons, created music celebrating their favorite things. Beard said, “I always thought that the videos gave the public a glimpse into ZZ Top, a true insight into what the band was about: which is just three guys that have very guy interests — we like cars, we like girls and we like music.”
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