Frank Beard Dead: Longtime ZZ Top Drummer Was 77

Frank Beard, ZZ Top‘s longtime drummer for the past 56 years, has died. He was 77.

A representative for Beard confirmed that he died while in hospice care at his ranch in Richmond, Texas, with his family by his side. Just last week, ZZ Top abruptly canceled their performance at the Hollywood Bowl due to Beard’s health issues. Last year, Beard temporarily stepped away from touring for similar reasons.

In a statement shared with Variety, ZZ Top founder Billy Gibbons said, “Today, Elwood [Francis] 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.”

Though not a founding member of ZZ Top, Beard had played with the group since their debut “First Album” in 1971 through their most recent record, 2012’s “La Futura.”

Beard was born on June 11, 1949 in Frankston, Texas and was raised in Irving, Texas. Prior to joining ZZ Top, he performed in a variety of bands including American Blues, the Warlocks, Hustlers and Cellar Dwellers. Beard replaced Dan Mitchell on the drums in ZZ Top in 1969 and helped recruit bassist Dusty Hill from American Blues. He performed with the band throughout their long tenure, which includes almost a dozen gold and seven platinum albums.