Frank Beard, a native Texan and longtime ZZ Top drummer, has died. He was 77.
Beard died on Aug. 17 while in hospice care surrounded by his family on his ranch in Richmond, Texas, according to USA Today. Just last week, Beard exited ZZ Top’s ongoing tour amid health issues.
“Today, Elwood [Francis] 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,” ZZ Top frontman Billy F Gibbons wrote on Instagram on Tuesday.
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Frank Beard’s Fort Worth ties
Beard was born in the small Texas town of Frankston, about 130 miles southeast of Fort Worth…