Frank Beard, the longtime drummer for blues rock legends ZZ Top, died August 17, 2026, while in hospice care at his ranch in Richmond, Texas, according to a report published August 18. Beard was 77 years old.
Beard served as the drummer for ZZ Top for 56 years. He joined the band in 1969 at age 20, replacing original drummer Dan Mitchell. During his tenure, the group achieved significant success with the 1973 album Tres Hombres, which reached No. 8 on the charts.
In the 1980s, the band produced several hits including Tube Snake Boogie, Gimme All Your Lovin, Sharp Dressed Man, Rough Boy, Legs, and Sleeping Bag. While band members Dusty Hill and Billy Gibbons became known for their iconic long beards, Beard was the only member who did not wear one.
Billy Gibbons released a statement regarding Beard's passing, stating that he lost a great friend and collaborator. Gibbons described Beard as one of the most naturally innovative drummers and a true son of Texas, noting that his signature backbeat was essential to the success of ZZ Top.
The band maintained the same lineup until the death of bassist Dusty Hill in 2021, which earned them a Guinness World Record for the longest-running active group with no lineup changes. Following Hill's death, the group continued with guitarist Elwood Francis. With the passing of Beard, Billy Gibbons remains the sole original member of the band.
