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ZZ Top's Beard Dies: Last Original Member Standing
18 Aug
Summary
- ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard passed away at 77.
- He died at his Texas ranch in hospice care.
- Beard was the only ZZ Top member without famous facial hair.
Frank Beard, the enduring drummer for the iconic blues-rock band ZZ Top, has died at the age of 77. His representative confirmed that Beard passed away while in hospice care at his ranch in Richmond, Texas, with family members present. Beard had recently stepped away from touring due to health issues.
Born on June 11, 1949, Beard joined ZZ Top shortly after its formation, becoming a vital part of the trio alongside Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill. He played on all their studio albums, contributing to hits that spanned decades. Notably, Beard was the only member of the famously hirsute band not to grow a long beard.
Beard's musical journey began with Hill in various bands before integrating into ZZ Top. His fierce and determined drumming style was instrumental in shaping the band's signature sound, a mix of blues, boogie, and rock. ZZ Top achieved massive global success, especially in the 1980s with their MTV staples like "Gimme All Your Lovin'," "Sharp-Dressed Man," and "Legs."
The band was honored with induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. Beard's death marks the end of an era for ZZ Top, leaving Billy Gibbons as the only member from the band's most commercially successful periods.
