Frank Beard, the drummer of the Texas boogie-rock band ZZ Top known for maintaining the beat in hits like “Sharp Dressed Man,” “Legs,” and “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” has passed away at the age of 77. Beard died on Tuesday at his ranch in Richmond, Texas, surrounded by his family while under hospice care, as confirmed by publicist Bob Merlis. Billy Gibbons, the band’s co-founder and guitarist, paid tribute to Beard, acknowledging his innovative drumming skills that were pivotal in ZZ Top’s success over the decades.
ZZ Top, a band Beard was part of for six decades, sold over 50 million records, with six singles topping Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart. The band received three Grammy Award nominations and had seven albums in the Top 10 of the Billboard 200 chart.
Formed in 1969, ZZ Top was founded by Beard, Billy Gibbons, and Dusty Hill, with the trio maintaining their original lineup for more than fifty years. The band’s distinctive appearance, characterized by long beards for Gibbons and Hill along with dark sunglasses, remained unchanged over the years.
ZZ Top’s music, featuring witty and lighthearted lyrics, gained popularity in Hollywood and was featured in various films such as “Happy Feet,” “Evan Almighty,” “Air,” “I, Tonya,” “Dazed and Confused,” “From Dusk Till Dawn,” and “Armageddon.” The band’s sound, described as a fusion of rock, blues, and funk, was often referred to as a “steaming-hot Houston stew.”
The trio’s breakthrough came with the release of “La Grange” in 1973, followed by hits like “Tush” and “Cheap Sunglasses.” Their 1983 album “Eliminator” marked a shift in their sound, incorporating more production elements and synthesizers while maintaining their signature style. ZZ Top’s music videos, known for featuring models and Gibbons’ custom cars, became iconic during the early days of MTV.
The band’s rock-chic image, including their beards and sunglasses, resonated well with audiences, further solidifying their place in music history. ZZ Top’s enduring legacy was recognized with their induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2004.
Beard, survived by his wife and three children, temporarily stepped away from the band’s tour in 2025 due to health issues before his passing. His contributions to ZZ Top and the music industry will be remembered by fans worldwide.