ZZ Top Drummer Frank Beard Dies at 77
Frank Beard, the longtime drummer for ZZ Top, has passed away at 77, prompting the band to cancel upcoming shows, including concerts in Salt Lake City and Colorado Springs
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Billy Gibbons said the band will continue touring as Frank Beard had wished.
ZZ Top will continue their tour with Michael Monahan on drums.
ZZ Top will continue their tour with Michael Monahan on drums.
Billy Gibbons said Frank Beard's signature backbeat was key to keeping ZZ on top.
Billy Gibbons said the band will keep on touring as Frank Beard had wished.
Story published. Frank Beard, the longtime drummer for ZZ Top, has passed away at 77, prompting the band to cancel upcoming shows, including concerts in Salt Lake City and Colorado Springs
Frank Beard, the drummer for ZZ Top, died on August 17, 2026, at his Texas ranch with family by his side after a stay in hospice. He was 77 years old at the time of his death. The cause of Frank Beard's death has not been disclosed.
Beard had been dealing with health issues and had been absent from recent performances, with drummer Michael Monahan filling in. In August, ZZ Top canceled its concert at the Hollywood Bowl due to Frank Beard's health issues, with frontman Billy Gibbons citing "insurmountable obstacles".
Frank Beard joined ZZ Top in 1969 and played on all 15 of the band's studio albums. He was a key part of the band's classic lineup, alongside Gibbons and late bassist Dusty Hill. Beard's drumming was instrumental in powering some of ZZ Top's biggest hits, including "La Grange," "Tush," "Gimme All Your Lovin’," "Sharp Dressed Man" and "Legs."
ZZ Top was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. The band will cancel its scheduled shows on August 18 in Salt Lake City and August 19 in Colorado Springs due to Frank Beard's death. However, the band's current tour will resume on the weekend in Austin.
## Why it matters Frank Beard's death is a significant loss for the music world, particularly for fans of ZZ Top. As the band's longtime drummer, Beard played a crucial role in shaping the band's sound and style. His passing will likely have a lasting impact on the band and its fans, and his legacy will continue to be celebrated through ZZ Top's music.
