Breaking: ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard dies aged 77

Posted Wed 19 Aug 2026 at 6:08amWed 19 Aug 2026 at 6:08am, updated Wed 19 Aug 2026 at 6:22amWed 19 Aug 2026 at 6:22amFrank Beard is being remembered as "one of the most naturally innovative drummers". (AP: Winslow Townson/Invision/File)In short: Frank Beard, the drummer for Texas boogie-rock trio ZZ Top, has died aged 77.Beard was in hospice care when he died at his ranch in Texas, with family members at his side. Band member Billy Gibbons paid tribute to Beard, saying the world had lost "one of the most naturally innovative drummers". Frank Beard, the drummer for Texas boogie-rock trio ZZ Top, has died aged 77.Beard kept tempo for the band's biggest hits like Sharp Dressed Man, Legs and Gimme All Your Lovin'.Beard was in hospice care when he died on Tuesday, local time, at his ranch in Texas, with family members at his side, according to publicist Bob Merlis.Lead singer Billy Gibbons confirmed Beard's death on Instagram, saying the world had lost "one of the most naturally innovative drummers and a great and true son of Texas"."His signature back beat was key to keeping ZZ on top," Gibbons wrote.Frank Beard (right) kept tempo for some of ZZ Top's biggest hits like Sharp Dressed Man, Legs and Gimme All Your Lovin'. (AP: Chris Pizzello/File)The statement added that the band had cancelled upcoming shows following Beard's death, with plans to keep Austin dates, "a city that had been something of a second home for him".ZZ Top sold more than 50 million records and had six singles that reached No. 1 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Airplay chart.Seven of their albums have been in the Billboard 200's Top 10, and they earned three Grammy Award nominations."I've found the people I was meant to play with," Beard said in the 2019 documentary ZZ Top: That Little Ol' Band from Texas."I never wanted to quit, and never wanted to get fired."