Frank Beard of ZZ Top Dies at 77

Frank Beard, the drummer for the Texas boogie rock trio ZZ Top, passed away at the age of 77. He was known for setting the rhythm for some of the band’s biggest hits such as “Sharp Dressed Man,” “Legs,” and “Gimme All Your Lovin’.” Beard died on Tuesday at his ranch in Richmond, Texas, surrounded by family, as confirmed by publicist Bob Merlis.

Band co-founder and guitarist Billy Gibbons, currently touring with bassist Elwood Francis, praised Beard in a statement. “Today, Elwood and I have lost a great friend and collaborator, and the world lost one of the most naturally innovative drummers and a true son of Texas. His signature backbeat was vital to keeping ZZ Top at the forefront. The band, which he was part of for six decades, will continue as he wished,” stated Gibbons.

ZZ Top sold over 50 million records and had six singles reach number 1 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart. Seven of their albums entered the Top 10 on the Billboard 200 chart, and they received three Grammy nominations.

“I have found the people I was destined to play with. I never wanted to quit and never wanted to be fired,” Beard expressed in the 2019 documentary “ZZ Top: That Little Ol’ Band from Texas.”