When exceptional drummers die, it has a seismic effect on the rock bands they played with. Think of The Who's iconic Keith Moon, who passed away in 1978. And John Bonham of Led Zeppelin, who died in 1980. Yet another virtuoso rock drummer left us recently. Frank Beard of ZZ Top died on Monday, August 17, at the age of 77. Although his bandmates are undoubtedly grieving his passing, ZZ Top is quickly roaring on with a new drummer. They played their first concert since Beard's death on Saturday, August 22. The gig took place at the Moody Theater in Austin, Texas, per Ultimate Classic Rock. It wasn't a melancholy event at all. Instead, it was vintage ZZ Top.
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The Show Was Reportedly "Unsentimental" in the Wake of Beard's Death
According to the outlet, the band put on a performance that was "unsentimental" following Frank Beard's passing earlier in the week. Nevertheless, ZZ Top member Billy Gibbons reportedly briefly alluded to Beard, their "dear drummer" of many years, when he brought out their new drummer, Michael Monahan.
Gibbons addressed the throng gathered for the concert. Rather than get all weepy and grim, though, he chose to let a glimmer of wit sneak in. Actually, Gibbons seemed to deliberately fend off any moroseness, per the outlet.
Billy Gibbons Spoke to the Audience
"I guess some of you probably know there's a new man in town. In fact, it all started a little while back. Elwood [Francis, bassist] and I got an unexpected call from our dear Frank Beard, our dear drummer for 50 years. I've never heard him admit, he said, 'My bass drum foot's a little weak. Can you get my man to take over?' I said, 'Oh yeah, yeah, he's been doing pretty good.' Frank said, 'Yeah, that's what worries me.'"
Billy Gibbons concluded by saying, "We're all here for a celebration. So y'all have a good time!"
According to the outlet, ZZ Top carried on that night in their usual high-spirited, blistering musical mode. "...[T]hey powered through a raucous set full of greasy riffs, Texas-sized grooves, and singalong hooks that had the audience on their feet all night." The crowd came for a typical kick-up-your-heels ZZ Top concert and they clearly got one.
