It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of this legendary musician…See more

Born on June 11, 1949, in Frankston, Texas, Frank Beard developed an early passion for drumming and began performing with local bands as a teenager.

He joined ZZ Top in 1969, becoming part of one of rock music’s most enduring lineups alongside guitarist and singer Billy Gibbons and bassist Dusty Hill.

Together, the trio created a distinctive blend of Texas blues, boogie, and hard rock that would bring them international success.

Beard’s powerful yet controlled drumming provided the foundation for some of the band’s most famous recordings, including “La Grange,” “Tush,” “Sharp Dressed Man,” “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” and “Legs.”

While Gibbons and Hill became instantly recognizable for their enormous beards, Frank Beard was famously the only member of ZZ Top without one, despite his surname.

More Than 50 Years of Musical Success

ZZ Top emerged as a major force in American rock during the 1970s, eventually achieving even greater commercial success with the release of Eliminator in 1983.

The album introduced the band to a new generation through hit singles and memorable music videos that became fixtures on MTV.

Across their career, ZZ Top sold more than 50 million records worldwide and became one of the most celebrated blues-rock groups in music history.

In 2004, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Beard remained an essential part of the group’s sound, admired for his mastery of the Texas shuffle and his ability to give even the simplest rhythms extraordinary energy.

Personal Struggles and a Lasting Brotherhood

Beard’s life was not without difficulties.

During the height of ZZ Top’s success, he struggled with drug addiction before seeking treatment and achieving sobriety.

He later spoke openly about that period and his determination to change his life.

Despite the pressures of fame, his musical partnership with Gibbons and Hill endured for decades.

Following Dusty Hill’s death in 2021, Beard and Gibbons continued performing with longtime guitar technician Elwood Francis taking over bass duties.

In his final years, Beard experienced health problems that occasionally prevented him from touring.

Nevertheless, his commitment to ZZ Top remained central to his life.

Billy Gibbons Pays Tribute

Following Beard’s death, Billy Gibbons honored his longtime friend and bandmate, describing him as one of rock’s most naturally innovative drummers and a devoted son of Texas.

Gibbons emphasized how essential Beard’s signature rhythm had been to the band’s success and confirmed that ZZ Top intended to continue performing in accordance with his wishes.

Remembering a Rock Legend

Frank Beard is survived by his wife, Debbie, and his children.

His death marks another profound loss for the band following Dusty Hill’s passing in 2021.

For generations of fans, ZZ Top represented something unmistakable: driving guitar riffs, infectious rhythms, Texas attitude, and a musical identity that never needed to follow trends.

Behind much of that sound was Frank Beard, a drummer whose contribution was often less visually prominent than those of his famous bandmates but no less essential.

Frank Beard may have spent most of his career seated behind the drums, but his influence was heard in every beat that made ZZ Top legendary.

His music will continue to resonate wherever classic rock is played.