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5 clusters · 306 sources · 14 days · First seen · Last updated

Death of ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard

Overview

Frank Beard, the founding drummer for the Texas rock band ZZ Top, died at age 77 while receiving hospice care at his ranch in Richmond, Texas. He passed away on August 17, 2026, surrounded by his family.

Beard was a core member of the group for over five decades, contributing to the band’s signature blues-rock sound and the ‘Texas shuffle’ rhythmic style. Despite the band’s iconic long facial hair, Beard was known as ‘The Man With No Beard.’

Following his death, the band resumed ‘The Big One! Tour’ with a performance on August 22 at Austin’s Moody Theater, a venue described as a favorite of the late drummer. During the show, frontman Billy Gibbons paid tribute to Beard, calling him a “great friend and collaborator.” Gibbons shared that Beard had personally requested that Michael Monahan take over drumming duties due to health concerns regarding his bass drum foot. Monahan, who had previously filled in for Beard during his recent health struggles, performed behind the kit during the Austin shows.

While the band previously canceled dates in Salt Lake City and Colorado Springs, the North American tour is scheduled to continue through October, with South American shows planned for November.

Billy Gibbons has since defended the decision to continue ZZ Top with a new lineup following the deaths of bassist Dusty Hill in 2021 and Beard. Gibbons described the current iteration of the group as a ‘hybrid’ that maintains the band’s legacy. The new lineup features Elwood Francis on bass and Michael Monahan on drums. Gibbons noted that both Hill and Beard had been involved in selecting their replacements, intending for the changes to be temporary, though they became permanent after their passing. Gibbons stated he ‘couldn’t be happier’ about this new phase.

Entities

ZZ Top · Frank Beard · Billy Gibbons · Dusty Hill · Elwood Francis

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Timeline

  1. 12 days ago

    [CULTURE] 17 sources
    ZZ Top continues with new lineup despite loss of classic members

    Billy Gibbons confirms ZZ Top will continue with a new lineup featuring Elwood Francis and Michael Monahan following the deaths of original members Dusty Hill and Frank Beard.

  2. 18 days ago

    [CULTURE] 2 sources
    ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard dies at age 77

    ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard has died at age 77. The band returned to the stage in Austin on August 22 with Michael Monahan filling in on drums.

  3. 20 days ago

    [CULTURE] 15 sources
    ZZ Top returns to stage following death of drummer Frank Beard

    ZZ Top returned to the stage in Austin, Texas, for their first performance since the death of longtime drummer Frank Beard, who died at age 77. Michael Monahan filled in on drums.

  4. 23 days ago

    [CULTURE] 6 sources
    Frank Beard, founding drummer of ZZ Top, dies at 77

    Frank Beard, the founding drummer of ZZ Top known for his ‘Texas shuffle’ rhythm, has died at age 77 in Richmond, Texas.

  5. 25 days ago

    [CULTURE] 282 sources
    Frank Beard, longtime ZZ Top drummer, dies at 77

    Frank Beard, the longtime drummer for ZZ Top, has died at age 77 in Richmond, Texas. The band has canceled some upcoming tour dates but plans to resume performances in Austin shortly.

Sources

1001infos.net · 1057thehawk.com · 1065thearch.com · 24sata.hr · 2news.com · 961theeagle.com · abendblatt.de · actu.fr · adevarul.ro · ainalnaql.com · Aktualne.cz · alias.com · amass.jp · arabic.euronews.com · areavip.com.br · arencambre.com · artistfoto.no · austin.culturemap.com · aztecajalisco.com · aztecapuebla.com · bagworkshop.com · bigodino.it · bild.de · billboard.com · blesk.cz · blog.slyon.de · boston.com · breakingnews.ie · breitbart.com · buildbookbuzz.com · ca.sports.yahoo.com · calgaryherald.com · castanet.net · cbs19.tv · cdispatch.com · cgm.pl · chiangraitimes.com · classicrockhistory.com · clubz.bg · cmjornal.pt · cnn.gr · consequence.net · ct24.ceskatelevize.cz · cuarteldelmetal.com · dailymail.co.uk · dallas.culturemap.com · danas.rs · davidsuzuki.org

This summary has been updated 5 times: see revision history