Another one of the greats has left us.
Frank Beard, the iconic drummer for Texas rock band ZZ Top, passed away on Monday at the age of 77.
He died surrounded by family at his ranch in Texas following a short hospice stay.
At this time, his exact cause of death has not been released.
BREAKING: ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard has died at 77, the Fort Bend County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed to Fox News Digital. His cause of death was not immediately clear.
pic.twitter.com/jrqL84SL8K
— Fox News (@FoxNews)
August 18, 2026
Last week, ZZ Top canceled their concert in Los Angeles due to Beard being hospitalized.
After his death, the band canceled two upcoming shows.
ZZ Top founder Billy Gibbons released a statement on his longtime drummer’s passing.
TMZ shared:
ZZ Top founder Billy F. Gibbons released a statement on his passing saying, “Today, Elwood 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. 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.”
As TMZ previously reported … Frank’s health forced ZZ Top to cancel its August 5 concert at the Hollywood Bowl.
With the passing of Frank, ZZ Top is canceling their show tonight in Salt Lake City and tomorrow Colorado Springs … they’ll resume this weekend with two dates at Austin City Limits — at one of Frank’s favorite venues.
Frontman Billy Gibbons said at the time the band was dealing with “insurmountable obstacles” and asked fans to bear with them during the interruption.
Frank had also been absent from the band’s recent performances … with drummer Michael Monahan filling in behind the kit. ZZ Top performed without Frank in Saratoga, California just days before TMZ learned of his death.
ZZ Top began in 1969 and continued playing together for over 50 years.
Bassist Dusty Hill preceded Frank Beard in death. He passed away in 2021 at the age of 72.
Ironically, despite his name, Frank Beard was the only member of the legendary band that did not sport a beard.
In light of his passing, folks are sharing clips of some of Frank Beard’s performances:
Check these out:
Said to hear news about Frank Beard. We just saw
@ZZTop at the Rock House in Dixon last October. He was rocking it.
pic.twitter.com/FOTMUIMo5p
— Scott Walker (@ScottWalker)
August 18, 2026
ZZ Top
La Grange (Live 1982)
Remembering legendary drummer Frank Beard, who passed away on August 17th, 2026, at 77.
His rock-solid backbeat helped drive ZZ Top’s unmistakable sound for more than five decades. What a drummer, what a band.
#RIP #FrankBeard pic.twitter.com/RBESMtcVzL
— Music Jim
(@MusicJim2)
August 18, 2026
Other tributes are pouring in honoring Frank Beard’s legacy.
Take a look:
Frank Beard was a Texas music legend.
I was proud to call him my friend.
He will be missed. May he rest in peace.
https://t.co/psLUbPK7wU
— Congressman Troy E. Nehls (@RepTroyNehls)
August 18, 2026
God bless Texas-born Frank Beard. Rest in Peace.
https://t.co/aGL1p4Cnln
— Trevor P. Wardlaw (@1thread6flags)
August 18, 2026
Wow…sad news. A superb musician. Great drummer. RIP Mr. Beard. Thank you for 50+ years of ZZTop.
— Marc J. Beaulieu (@MotorcycleMarc)
August 18, 2026
Well, Frank Beard passed today at 77yrs old. He was the drummer of ZZ Top for decades. RIP to a great drummer that helped create an era. My heart goes out to his friends and family.
pic.twitter.com/Kh1mJrsCRo
— The Dude (@basedcaliber)
August 18, 2026
Rest in peace, legend!
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[ H/T WLT Report ]
La Grange (Live 1982)
pic.twitter.com/Kh1mJrsCRo
