Frank Beard, the drummer of the Texas boogie-rock band ZZ Top known for keeping the rhythm in hit songs like “Sharp Dressed Man,” “Legs,” and “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” has passed away at the age of 77. Beard, who was under hospice care, breathed his last on Tuesday at his ranch in Richmond, Texas, surrounded by loved ones, as confirmed by publicist Bob Merlis. Band co-founder and guitarist Billy Gibbons, currently on tour with bassist Elwood Francis, paid tribute to Beard, acknowledging his innovative drumming skills that were instrumental in ZZ Top’s success.
ZZ Top, renowned for selling over 50 million records and achieving six No. 1 singles on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart, mourns the loss of a talented musician. The band’s legacy, spanning six decades, will continue as a tribute to Beard’s wishes, according to Gibbons.
In a 2019 documentary titled “ZZ Top: That Little Ol’ Band from Texas,” Beard expressed his passion for music, stating, “I’ve found the people I was meant to play with. I never wanted to quit and never wanted to get fired.”
Beard, a native of Frankston, Texas, first crossed paths with Gibbons in a band called The Moving Sidewalks before introducing bassist and vocalist Dusty Hill to form ZZ Top in 1969. Drawing inspiration from blues legend Z.Z. Hill and influenced by bands like Cream and Jimmy Reed, the trio maintained its original lineup for more than fifty years, establishing a unique identity with their trademark appearance of long beards and dark sunglasses.
ZZ Top’s music, characterized by witty and humorous lyrics, gained popularity in Hollywood with appearances in various films, including “Happy Feet,” “Evan Almighty,” “Air,” “I, Tonya,” “Dazed and Confused,” “From Dusk Till Dawn,” and “Armageddon.” Gibbons described the band as interpreters of an American art form, blending rock, blues, and funk into what he called a “steaming-hot Houston stew.”
The band’s breakthrough came with the release of “La Grange” in 1973, followed by hits like “Tush” and “Cheap Sunglasses.” Their 1983 album “Eliminator,” featuring hits such as “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” “Legs,” and “Sharp-Dressed Man,” marked a shift towards a more produced sound with synthesizers and drum machines. ZZ Top’s iconic Texas-shaped stage, live rattlesnakes, and a longhorn steer became staples of their electrifying performances.
The band’s distinctive bearded look emerged serendipitously in 1976 when the members took an extended break and returned with unkempt facial hair, a style that stuck with them over the years. Embracing their rock-chic persona, ZZ Top’s music videos, including the trilogy of “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” “Sharp Dressed Man,” and “Legs,” captivated audiences with their humor and style.
In 2012, producer Rick Rubin revitalized ZZ Top’s sound with the album “La Futura,” achieving commercial success with a No. 6 position on the Billboard chart. Beard’s passing follows the death of Dusty Hill in 2021, and just months after his temporary departure from the band due to health issues.
Frank Beard is survived by his wife, Debbie Meredith, and three children.
