Archive · 19 Aug 2026
ZZ Top Drummer Frank Beard Dies at 77
Frank Beard was the drummer for the rock band ZZ Top.
He played with Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill for more than 50 years.
Beard joined the band in 1969 and helped create its blues, boogie and rock sound.
He was known for being clean-shaven while Gibbons and Hill wore long beards.
Beard died at age 77 at his ranch in Texas while receiving hospice care.
His family was with him, but the cause of death has not been announced.
Reports disagree about whether he died Monday or Tuesday, although the band made its announcement Tuesday.
ZZ Top canceled several shows after his death.
The band says it intends to keep performing as Beard wished.
Frank Beard, ZZ Top’s longtime drummer, died at age 77 in Texas.
Reports differ on whether Beard died Monday or Tuesday; the band announced his death Tuesday.
He reportedly died in hospice care at his Richmond ranch with family members present.
Beard joined Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill in ZZ Top in 1969 and played with the group for more than five decades.
ZZ Top plans to continue performing, while recent shows were canceled because of Beard’s health and death.
- Who
- Frank Beard, ZZ Top’s longtime drummer, died at age 77.
- What
- Beard’s death ended the classic ZZ Top trio after Dusty Hill’s death in 2021.
- When
- The band announced his death Tuesday; one report said he died Monday, while other reports said Tuesday.
- Where
- He reportedly died at his ranch in Richmond, Texas, while in hospice care.
- Why
- The cause of death was not disclosed; the band had previously cited foot and ankle problems and other health issues.
- Age
- 77
- Death circumstances
- Beard reportedly died in hospice care at his ranch in Richmond, Texas, surrounded by family.
- ZZ Top membership
- He joined the group in 1969 and remained part of it for more than five decades.
- Best-known hits
- “La Grange,” “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” “Sharp Dressed Man” and “Legs” were among ZZ Top’s major songs.
- Commercial success
- ZZ Top sold more than 50 million records and had six No. 1 singles on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart.
- Recognition
- Beard, Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2004.
- Health-related cancellations
- Beard temporarily left touring because of foot and ankle problems, and ZZ Top later canceled shows including a Hollywood Bowl performance.
- Future plans
- Billy Gibbons said ZZ Top would continue performing in accordance with Beard’s wishes.
