Frank Beard of ZZ Top Dies at 77

Frank Beard, the drummer of the Texas boogie rock trio ZZ Top, has died at the age of 77. Known for driving the rhythm in hits like “Sharp Dressed Man,” “Legs,” and “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” Beard passed away while in palliative care on Tuesday at his ranch in Richmond, Texas, surrounded by family, as reported by publicist Bob Merlis.

Billy Gibbons, the band’s co-founder and guitarist, who is currently on tour with bassist Elwood Francis, paid tribute to Beard in a statement. “Today, Elwood and I lost a great friend and collaborator, and the world lost one of the most naturally innovative drummers and a true son of Texas. His unique backbeat was essential in keeping ZZ at the top. The band he was part of for six decades will continue, as he wished,” Gibbons said.

ZZ Top has sold over 50 million albums and had six singles reach number one on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart. Seven of their albums have landed in the Top 10 of the Billboard 200, and they have received three Grammy nominations. Beard reflected on his time with the band in the 2019 documentary, “ZZ Top: That Little Ol’ Band from Texas,” stating, “I found the people I was meant to play with. I never wanted to quit, and I never wanted to be fired.”