ZZ Top Drummer Frank Beard Dies at 77
Frank Beard, ZZ Top's drummer since 1969, died August 17 at his Texas ranch with family present, the Fort Bend County Medical Examiner confirmed. He was 77.
- Beard died in hospice care; no cause of death has been disclosed.
- An autopsy will not be performed, the medical examiner told the New York Post.
- 56 years as ZZ Top's drummer, appearing on all 15 studio albums.
- 1983's 'Eliminator' sold more than 10 million U.S. copies, the band's best-selling record.
Why it matters: Beard anchored one of rock's most stable lineups for over five decades, helping define the band's sound from Texas blues clubs to MTV superstardom.
- Billy Gibbons is now the only remaining member of ZZ Top's original trio; bassist Dusty Hill died in July 2021 at age 72.
How 47 sources split on this story
Center coverage, 19 sources: The center outlets focus on the confirmed facts of death, the band's official statements, and near-term tour cancellations.
TMZ1dZZ Top Drummer Frank Beard Dead at 77
USA Today1dZZ Top drummer Frank Beard dies at 77CNCTV News15hZZ Top drummer dead at 77KAKXAN Austin10hZZ Top's Austin shows will go on, serve as tribute to Frank Beard following his death
Reuters1dFrank Beard, baterista de ZZ Top, muere a los 77 años
Associated Press1dFrank Beard, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame drummer of boogie-rock trio ZZ Top, dies at 77
BBC News1dZZ Top drummer Frank Beard dies aged 77
Billboard1dFrank Beard, ZZ Top Drummer, Dies at 77
Deadline1dFrank Beard Dies: ZZ Top’s Founding Drummer Was 77
Jerusalem Post14hZZ Top drummer, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Frank Beard dies at age 77 in Texas homeKHKHOU 11 Houston1dZZ Top announces death of drummer Frank BeardKSAKSAT 12 San Antonio1dFrank Beard, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame drummer of boogie-rock trio ZZ Top, dies at 77Left coverage, 14 sources: The left-leaning outlet leads with a detailed musical biography, emphasizing Beard's artistic legacy, his recovery from substance abuse, and specific chart and sales milestones.
ABC News1dFrank Beard, longtime ZZ Top drummer, dead at 77
The Independent1dZZ Top cancels shows after legendary drummer Frank Beard’s death
Rolling Stone1dWatch ZZ Top Perform ‘Tush’ at Band’s Final Concert With Original LineupBosBoston.com1dFrank Beard, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame drummer of boogie-rock trio ZZ Top, dies at 77
CBS News1dFrank Beard, ZZ Top drummer, dies at age 77CleCleveland.com1dMusic world reacts to ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard dead at 77
Hollywood Reporter1dFrank Beard, ZZ Top Drummer, Dies at 77
Los Angeles Times1dZZ Top drummer Frank Beard dead at 77 health issuesSFCSan Francisco Chronicle1dZZ Top drummer Frank Beard dies at 77TBGThe Boston Globe1dFrank Beard, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame drummer of boogie-rock trio ZZ Top, dies at 77
The Guardian1dZZ Top drummer Frank Beard dies aged 77
The New York Times1dFrank Beard, Beardless Drummer for ZZ Top, Dies at 77Right coverage, 14 sources: The right-leaning outlets frame the death in the context of the Hollywood Bowl cancellation weeks earlier, highlighting the sequence of health-related disruptions.
New York Post1dZZ Top drummer Frank Beard was dealing with 'health issue' that kept him off stage for nearly a year before death
Daily Mail1dZZ Top drummer Frank Beard dead at 77 as bandmate pays tribute to 'great friend and collaborator'
One America News18hFrank Beard, drummer of boogie-rock trio ZZ Top, dies at 77
Boston Herald1dFrank Beard, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame drummer of boogie rock trio ZZ Top, dies at 77
Breitbart News1dFrank Beard, Veteran Drummer for ZZ Top, Dead at 77
Fox News1dLegendary ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard dead at 77
Just the News1dIconic ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard dies at the age of 77
Newsmax14hFrank Beard, Drummer of Boogie-Rock Trio ZZ Top, Dies at 77
The Daily Caller1dZZ Top Drummer Dead At 77
The Epoch Times1dZZ Top Drummer Frank Beard Dies at Age 77, Band Cancels Upcoming Shows
The Gateway Pundit1dZZ Top Drummer Frank Beard Dead at 77 * The Gateway Pundit * by Cristina Laila
The Post Millennial1dBREAKING: ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard dead at 77What’s next: ZZ Top canceled its Salt Lake City and Colorado Springs dates following Beard's death.
- The band plans to resume The Big One! Tour August 22-23 at ACL Live in Austin.
- Gibbons said the band will continue, per Beard's wishes.
- Who will permanently fill the drummer role, and what form ZZ Top takes going forward, has not been announced.
- Beard's full cause of death remains undisclosed pending no autopsy.