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 X 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…