Frank Beard, ZZ Top’s Hard-Shuffling Drummer, Dead at 77 - Rolling Stone
Frank Beard, the longtime drummer for the rock band ZZ Top, has passed away at the age of 77 while in hospice care. Known for his signature Texas shuffle, Beard was a key member of the band for decades.
Why it matters
Beard's death marks the loss of a significant figure in American blues-rock history and impacts the future touring schedule of the band.
Frank Beard , the longtime, hard-shuffling drummer for Texas rock greats ZZ Top , died on Monday. He was 77.
Bob Merlis, the band’s representative, confirmed the news, saying Beard died while in hospice care, surrounded by family, at his ranch in Richmond, Texas. An exact cause of death was not given.
"Today, Elwood and I lost a great friend and collaborator, and the world lost one of the most naturally innovative drummers and a great and true son of Texas,” guitarist-singer Billy Gibbons wrote on social media. “His signature backbeat was key to keeping ZZ on top."
ZZ Top also announced that it would cancel its scheduled show tonight (Aug. 18) in Salt Lake City and its gig on Wednesday (Aug. 19) in Colorado Springs. The band's current tour will resume this weekend in Austin.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in