Frank Beard, the iconic drummer of ZZ Top and a member of the band for over half a century, has died at the age of 77. The American musician passed away on August 17, 2026, at his ranch in Richmond, Texas, where he was receiving hospice care. His family was by his side. The exact cause of death has not been made public. His passing comes five years after that of Dusty Hill, ZZ Top's longtime bassist, who died in July 2021. Billy Gibbons is now the last surviving member of the trio that defined the band for over 50 years.
He had recently left the ZZ Top tour
Frank Beard's health had already forced the musician to step away from the stage. In 2025, he temporarily suspended a tour due to foot and ankle problems before returning to his place behind the drummer. In recent weeks, his health had again forced him to withdraw. Michael Monahan replaced him on drums for several concerts on The Big One! US tour . Several dates had also been canceled, including the one scheduled at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles in early August. Frank Beard had finally entered hospice care at his Texas ranch, where he died surrounded by his loved ones.
Over 55 years behind the drums of ZZ Top
Frank Beard had been part of ZZ Top's history since the band's inception. He joined Billy Gibbons in the late 1960s, before Dusty Hill joined. The classic lineup of Gibbons on guitar and vocals, Hill on bass, and Beard on drums was definitively established in 1970. The trio then remained virtually unchanged for over five decades, an exceptional longevity in rock history. Frank Beard played on all 15 ZZ Top studio albums and contributed to the band's biggest hits. His drumming features on tracks such as " La Grange ," "Tush ," "Gimme All Your Lovin' , " "Sharp Dressed Man," and "Legs ." His powerful and instantly recognizable rhythm section was one of the cornerstones of ZZ Top's sound, a blend of Texas blues, boogie, and rock.
Global success with Eliminator
Already firmly established in the 1970s, thanks in particular to the album Tres Hombres released in 1973, ZZ Top reached new heights in the 1980s. The album Eliminator , released in 1983, became a massive commercial success. The band accompanied its songs with music videos that were widely broadcast on MTV. Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill's long beards, their sunglasses, and their instantly recognizable aesthetic transformed the three Texans into global rock icons. Frank Beard, in fact, cultivated a now-famous paradox: despite his name, which means "beard" in English, he was the only one of the three musicians who didn't sport the impressive beard that became ZZ Top's trademark. In total, the band sold tens of millions of records worldwide. In 2004, Frank Beard, Billy Gibbons, and Dusty Hill were inducted together into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Billy Gibbons loses his second historical companion
The death of Frank Beard has struck ZZ Top five years after that of Dusty Hill. Following the bassist's death in 2021 at the age of 72, his longtime technician Elwood Francis took his place on stage, in accordance with Hill's wish for the band to continue. Billy Gibbons paid tribute to Frank Beard, hailing him as a friend and collaborator, as well as one of the most naturally innovative drummers he had ever known. He also emphasized the importance of his backbeat to ZZ Top's musical identity. The band announced its intention to continue performing, in accordance with Frank Beard's wishes. However, several concerts scheduled immediately after his death were canceled.
The end of a trio that spanned more than half a century
With the death of Frank Beard, ZZ Top has lost its second member in five years. For over 50 years, Beard, Gibbons, and Hill maintained a rare stability, remaining a constant throughout the decades without any personnel changes within the trio. Frank Beard leaves behind a discography that began with ZZ Top's First Album in 1971 and continued up to La Futura , the band's fifteenth studio album, released in 2012. He had turned 77 on June 11. He is survived by his wife, Debbie Meredith, and three children.
