Frank Beard, who co-founded ZZ Top and was its drummer for nearly six decades, playing on sach classics as “La Grange,” “Tush,” “Sharp Dressed Man” and “Legs,” died Monday. He was 77.
The band’s longtime rep Bob Merlis confirmed to our sister publication Rolling Stone that Beard died at his ranch in Richmond, Texas, while in hospice care. He did not provide a cause of death, but the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer was forced to leave ZZ Top’s current tour in March due to an unspecified “health issue.” He had returned to play some shows, but the trio canceled its planned Hollywood Bowl concert this month as Beard’s health worsened.
ZZ Top was formed in 1969 in Houston, featuring Beard alongside singer-guitarist Billy Gibbons and bassist-singer Dusty Hill. They went on to become one of rock’s best-loved trios — and bands — with their massive success driven by signature videos that then-nascent MTV played in heavy rotation. And Hill and Gibbons’ signature beards. They had long been considered the rock band with the longest-tenured original lineup until Hill died in 2021 at 72. Elwood Francis has played bass for the group since Hill’s death.
ZZ Top has released 15 studio albums during its career — including half live/half-studio album Fandango! — selling more than 25 million records in the U.S. alone, per the RIAA. Seven of their LPs, including two hits compilations, are platinum or multiplatinum, with four others going gold. The group was featured in the 2019 documentary ZZ Top: That Little Ol’ Band from Texas, which scored a Grammy nom for Best Music Film.
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