Frank Beard Dies at 77: Remembering the Legendary ZZ Top Drummer & His Incredible Legacy

On this episode of Talking Guitars on Johnny Beane TV, we pay tribute to Frank Beard, the legendary drummer and longtime backbone of ZZ Top, who has passed away at 77. 🥁 Frank Beard: The Beat Behind ZZ Top Beard joined ZZ Top in the early 1970s and became an essential part of the band’s signature sound. His rock-solid Texas shuffle helped drive classics like “La Grange,” “Tush,” and “Cheap Sunglasses.” He was instrumental in bringing Dusty Hill into the band, completing the classic ZZ Top lineup with Billy Gibbons. ZZ Top’s breakthrough came with albums like Tres Hombres, Fandango!, and later the massive Eliminator. Beard remained behind the kit through more than five decades of recording, touring, and rock ’n’ roll history. ZZ Top was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. After Dusty Hill’s passing in 2021, Beard and Billy Gibbons continued carrying the ZZ Top legacy forward. Frank Beard may not have had the famous beard—but his drumming was every bit as recognizable as the band’s riffs, guitars, and Texas boogie. 🎸 RIP Frank Beard. Thank you for the groove, the music, and more than 50 years of ZZ Top history. #ZZTop #FrankBeard #RockMusic #TalkingGuitars