Providing the back beat for the band’s biggest hits – including ‘Sharp Dressed Man,’ ‘Legs,’ and ‘Gimme All Your Lovin,’ – iconic drummer for Texas rock trio ZZ Top, Frank Beard passed away at the age of 77.
With family members by his side, Beard was under hospice care when he died on Tuesday (8.18), at his ranch in Texas.
Taking to Instagram, the band’s lead singer, Billy Gibbons, confirmed the stickman’s death writing:
“Today, 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.”
Due to unspecified health issues, Frank had been absent from the group’s current The Big One! tour, who cancelled two upcoming shows in the wake of his death.
Nominated for three Grammy Awards and selling 50,000,000+ records throughout their career, ZZ Top secured six #1 singles on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart, and were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2004.
Taking over for co-founder Dan Mitchell, Beard had been the band’s drummer since 1969, in the 2019 documentary ZZ Top: That Little Ol’ Band from Texas, Beard reminisced “I’ve found the people I was meant to play with.”
Keep up with the latest trending music news by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Author: Al Dente
Photo: oetting