Frank Beard, the longtime drummer of iconic rock band ZZ Top, has died at the age of 77.
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Beard died while receiving hospice care at his ranch in Richmond, Texas, with his family reportedly by his side.
The legendary drummer's death comes shortly after ZZ Top canceled a high-profile performance at the Hollywood Bowl amid concerns surrounding his health.
ZZ Top Mourns Longtime Drummer Frank Beard
ZZ Top founder Billy Gibbons confirmed the heartbreaking news in a statement shared with Variety.
"Today, Elwood [Francis] 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," he wrote.
"His signature backbeat was key to keeping ZZ on top. The band of which he was part for six decades is going to keep on keeping on as he had wished."
Beard had served as ZZ Top's drummer since 1969, forming the band's classic lineup alongside Gibbons and late bassist Dusty Hill.
The trio remained together for more than five decades until Hill's death in 2021. Longtime guitar technician Elwood Francis subsequently stepped in to handle bass duties.
Following decades of commercial success and influence on rock music, ZZ Top earned induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004.
Health Concerns Grew Before Frank Beard's Death
ZZ Top's canceled August 5 show at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles had recently sparked concern surrounding Beard's condition.
However, the band did not directly attribute the cancellation to Beard or his reported health problems at the time.
"Insurmountable obstacles require canceling our Hollywood Bowl performance," Gibbons said in a statement.
"Friends, fans and followers of ZZ Top are the best in the business and the band is counting on everyone to bear with us for this brief interruption."
TMZ later reported that Beard's health was behind the decision to cancel the high-profile Los Angeles performance.
Despite the cancellation, ZZ Top returned to the stage in Saratoga three days later without their longtime drummer.
It was not the first time Beard's health had forced him to step away from the band's touring schedule.
In 2025, the drummer temporarily left the road "to attend to a health issue".
Longtime substitute drummer John Douglas and Michael Monahan have previously filled in for Beard during his absences.
