Frank Beard, the drummer of the renowned Texas boogie-rock band ZZ Top, known for his rhythmic contributions to hits such as “Sharp Dressed Man,” “Legs,” and “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” has passed away at the age of 77. Beard, who was under hospice care, died at his ranch in Richmond, Texas, surrounded by his family members, as confirmed by publicist Bob Merlis. Band co-founder and guitarist Billy Gibbons, currently on tour with bassist Elwood Francis, expressed his heartfelt tribute to Beard, highlighting his exceptional drumming skills and deep Texan roots.
ZZ Top, a band that achieved immense success over the decades, sold over 50 million records and secured six singles that topped Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart. Additionally, the band landed seven albums in the Top 10 of the Billboard 200 chart and received three Grammy Award nominations.
In the 2019 documentary “ZZ Top: That Little Ol’ Band from Texas,” Beard reflected on his musical journey, stating, “I’ve found the people I was meant to play with. I never wanted to quit and never wanted to get fired.”
Throughout his remarkable six-decade tenure with ZZ Top, Beard’s distinctive drumming style provided the backbone to the band’s sound. A poignant moment captured his enduring legacy when he played alongside Dusty Hill and Billy Gibbons at the 2016 Glastonbury Festival in England.
