ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard dead at 77 health issues

ZZ Top is mourning the loss of longtime drummer Frank Beard, who has died at age 77 after years of facing health-related issues. The band announced Beard's death on Tuesday via Instagram, with founding member and frontman Billy Gibbons writing in a statement that he and fellow member Elwood Francis "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." The Fort Bend County Medical Examiner confirmed to The Times that Beard's death was reported Monday. A cause of death was not revealed. He died at his ranch in Texas with family by his side after a stay in hospice, TMZ reported. Beard died weeks after ZZ Top called off its Aug. 5 concert at the Hollywood Bowl, reportedly due to his health issues.