{"id":860239,"date":"2026-08-19T01:16:16","date_gmt":"2026-08-19T01:16:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/860239\/"},"modified":"2026-08-19T01:16:16","modified_gmt":"2026-08-19T01:16:16","slug":"zz-top-drummer-frank-beard-dies-age-77-band-announce-his-death-in-a-statement-online-and-cancel-upcoming-shows","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/860239\/","title":{"rendered":"ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard dies age 77: Band announce his death in a statement online and cancel upcoming shows"},"content":{"rendered":"

ZZ Top<\/a> rocker Frank Beard has died at age 77.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The sad news was shared in a statement by the band on Instagram<\/a> by founding member Billy F Gibbons, who also revealed they have also cancelled their upcoming shows<\/a> at this time.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"ZZ<\/p>\n

ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard has died at age 77, with the band confirming the news in a statement. \u00a0Getty<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018Today, 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.\u2019 \u2013 Billy F Gibbons,\u201d the post started<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

ZZ Top was set to perform in Salt Lake City and Colorado Springs on August 18 and 19, but both shows have been cancelled.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cFollowing Frank\u2019s passing, ZZ Top has cancelled its upcoming shows in Salt Lake City and Colorado Springs,\u201d read the statement shared online.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe band will resume its current The Big One! Tour this weekend with two dates in at Austin City Limits, one of Frank\u2019s favourite venues and in a city that had been something of a second home for him.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

The post has been flooded with messages of love for the band, and for Beard, with many fans mourning the loss of the drummer.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Last month the band were set to perform at the Hollywood Bowl but cancelled the show due to \u201cunforeseen personal matters.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

It was later reported by Rolling Stone<\/a> that the rockers actually cancelled due to Beard\u2019s health.\u00a0<\/p>\n

At the time drummer Michael Monahan filled in as they continued the tour.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Beard joined the iconic band in 1969, shortly after they formed.\u00a0Photo by Winslow Townson\/Invision<\/p>\n

Beard has faced health issues in the past. Last year, ZZ Top announced that the musician would be \u201ctemporarily\u201d stepping away from the band\u2019s tour to recover.<\/p>\n

According to the band\u2019s management<\/a>, Beard underwent a procedure that required \u201chis focus in the near term.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Beard joined the iconic band in 1969 shortly after they formed, but he stepped away in 1976 to seek help for substance abuse.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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The iconic band are currently on tour, but cancelled two of their upcoming shows in the wake of Beard\u2019s death. \u00a0AP Photo\/Chris Pizzello<\/p>\n

The drummer went to rehab, and became sober, during which time the band went on a three-year hiatus.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the late \u201970s, I entered rehab. Somebody asked Dusty what he was gonna do. \u2018Hey what are y\u2019all gonna do, you know? Frank\u2019s in rehab.\u2019 And Dusty said, \u2018Well, I\u2019m goin\u2019 fishing!\u2019\u201d\u00a0 Beard recalled during an interview with CBS News.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Gibbons said he never considered replacing Beard with another drummer.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is no other drummer. There\u2019s one guy!\u201d he said.<\/p>\n