Texas band ZZ Top announced the death of its longtime drummer Frank Beard and canceled concerts in Salt Lake City (Utah) and Colorado Springs (Colorado) in connection with this. According to the band's statement, touring will resume this weekend in Austin, Texas, which has become a second home for the departed musician.
“Today we lost a great friend and collaborator, and the world lost one of its most innovative drummers and a great and true son of Texas. His signature backbeat has been the key to keeping ZZ on top,” ZZ Top frontman Billy Gibbons said in a statement.
Beard was born in Frankston, Texas in 1949 (later living in Richmond), and joined ZZ Top in 1969 shortly after the formation of the band. He played on all the albums of the legendary group. In the 1970s, ZZ Top took a three-year break from their career while Beard was treated for drug addiction.
According to TMZ, Beard died Monday at his Texas ranch surrounded by family after receiving hospice care. The cause of death has not been disclosed. He missed the Elevation tour last year due to foot and ankle problems. The band spent those tours with John Douglas, who filled in for Beard back in 2002 when he had his appendix removed.
Earlier this month, ZZ Top canceled a performance at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, citing Beard's health concerns. The concert was supposed to be the start of The Big One's tour. The rest of the tour, however, has not been cancelled: Billy Gibbons and bassist Elwood Francis are to be joined by drummer Michael Monahan.
Francis joined ZZ Top in 2021 following the death of original bassist Dusty Hill. The composition of Gibbons Hill Bird has been unchanged since 1970.
