BREAKING: ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard dead at 77

Frank Beard, the longtime drummer for the band ZZ Top, has died at the age of 77. He passed away on August 17 at his Texas ranch with his family by his side. 

According to TMZ, the cause of death has not been disclosed at this time. ZZ Top founder Billy F. Gibbons said in a statement, "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. The band of which he was part for six decades is going to keep on keeping on as he had wished.”

Beard's health forced the band to cancel its August 5 performance at the Hollywood Bowl and the band will be cancelling its performance tonight in Salt Lake City, Utah. ZZ Top was also set to perform on Wednesday in Colorado Springs, which is also going to be canceled.  

However, they are set to keep going with their performances this upcoming weekend at Austin City Limits, which was one of the drummer's favorite venues. Beard had also been absent from other recent performances with the band. Drummer Michael Monahan filled in for Beard just a few days before his death in Saratoga, California.  

ZZ Top was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame back in 2004. The group had all the classic people in the band until 2021, when bassist Dusty Hill died. Beard was in all 15 of the band's studio albums and was deeply involved in some of the greatest hits, including "La Grange," "Tush," "Gimme All Your Lovin’," and "Sharp Dressed Man."