Frank Beard cause of death: legendary ZZ Top drummer dies at 77
He joined the band as bassist in 2021, following the death of Dusty Hill
Frank Beard , original drummer of the Texas trio ZZ Top , died on Tuesday at the age of 77 at his ranch in Richmond , Texas, after a long musical career spanning more than half a century.
"Today, Elwood (Francis) 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," wrote Billy Gibbons , the band's singer and guitarist, on social media.
Francis is not part of the original trio, as he joined the band as bassist in 2021 , following the death of Dusty Hill , the third original member of this band.
For his part, Gibbons also highlighted Beard's "signature 'backbeat'" (a rhythmic accent placed on the weak beats of a measure), stating that it was key "to keeping ZZ Top at the top" .
The group, formed in 1969 in Houston by Billy Gibbons , Dusty Hill , and Beard himself, was known for combining an unmistakable Texan boogie blues rock sound with a visual image of long beards, dark glasses, and hats.
' Beard , whose last name means "beard" in English, was, ironically, the only member of the trio without a long beard and, instead, wore a mustache, a contrast that the band exploited humorously on several occasions.'
Over more than five decades with ZZ Top , Beard ’s rhythm was the foundation of some of Texas rock’s biggest hits, such as "La Grange," "Tush," "Sharp Dressed Man," and "Legs," among others.
With him on drums, the band sold more than 50 million records , landed six singles at number one on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Airplay chart, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
