Former drummer for ZZ Top (and only member of the bearded rock band not to have one) Fran Beard died at the age of 77. On Tuesday, the band announced his death stating Beard died Monday surrounded by family at his ranch near Richmond, Texas, in hospice care.
The cause of death has not been revealed. When he passed away at his ranch in Richmond, Texas, surrounded by family, the band's press office only reported Beard was in hospice care. ZZ Top announced in March 2025 that they'd be shedding Beard from touring duties due to an unspecified health problem, while at the time they hoped he'd be fine.
Beard was born in Frankston, Texas on June 11, 1949 and grew up in nearby Irving, where he started drumming as a teen when he found some blues clubs in Dallas. He met his future band member, Dusty Hill, early on and in 1969 joined guitarist Billy Gibbons to form the band that came to be known as ZZ Top. The bassist's place was up for grabs for the group and Beard himself proposed that Hill join them as their bassist, a combination that formed the foundation for Texas blues-rock for over 50 years.
Beard played the rhythm tracks on ZZ Top songs including "Sharp Dressed Man," "Legs" and "Gimme All Your Lovin," which fueled multi-platinum albums like Eliminator and Afterburner. In 2004 the band was named in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Although ZZ Top's style is their long, scraggly beards on Gibbons and Hill, Beard was often clean shaven or with a mustache, which became a running joke about the band's name.
The passing of Beard is another huge loss for ZZ Top. Bassist Dusty Hill passed away at age 72 in 2021 and was replaced at his request by long-time bass tech Elwood Francis. The original lineup of the band is now complete with the death of Beard, leaving Gibbons as the last survivor.
On social media, Gibbons recalled his longtime collaborator as one of the most naturally gifted drummers he knew as a true son of Texas. Beard's "signature backbeat" was "very, very important" in keeping ZZ on top, he added.
Beard's death caused the band to cancel planned performances in Sandy, Utah and Colorado Springs, Colorado. The band intends to continue touring this weekend, with a previously announced show at Austin City Limits, one of Beard's favorites and one that he calls his "second home."
A: Frank Beard died at the age of 77.
Q; What was Frank Beard's cause of death?
A: The ZZ Top officials have not revealed the cause of Beard's death, stating only that he passed away in hospice care in his ranch in Texas.
Q; Is Billy Gibbons the last original member of ZZ Top?
A: Yes. Beard passed away and Gibbons is now the sole remaining founding member. Dusty Hill, bassist, passed away in 2021 and was replaced by Elwood Francis.
Q; Why did they say Frank Beard was "beardless"?
A: Although ZZ Top's look was about Gibbons' and Hill's long beards, Beard himself usually kept his head shaven or just had a mustache to go with his name, the fans and the band joked about that.
Q; So is ZZ Top ending its tour of the country?
A: Beard's death saw the cancellation of two shows, but the band plans to keep touring this weekend at Austin City Limits.
The cause of death has not been revealed. When he passed away at his ranch in Richmond, Texas, surrounded by family, the band's press office only reported Beard was in hospice care. ZZ Top announced in March 2025 that they'd be shedding Beard from touring duties due to an unspecified health problem, while at the time they hoped he'd be fine.
Beard was born in Frankston, Texas on June 11, 1949 and grew up in nearby Irving, where he started drumming as a teen when he found some blues clubs in Dallas. He met his future band member, Dusty Hill, early on and in 1969 joined guitarist Billy Gibbons to form the band that came to be known as ZZ Top. The bassist's place was up for grabs for the group and Beard himself proposed that Hill join them as their bassist, a combination that formed the foundation for Texas blues-rock for over 50 years.
Beard played the rhythm tracks on ZZ Top songs including "Sharp Dressed Man," "Legs" and "Gimme All Your Lovin," which fueled multi-platinum albums like Eliminator and Afterburner. In 2004 the band was named in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Although ZZ Top's style is their long, scraggly beards on Gibbons and Hill, Beard was often clean shaven or with a mustache, which became a running joke about the band's name.
The passing of Beard is another huge loss for ZZ Top. Bassist Dusty Hill passed away at age 72 in 2021 and was replaced at his request by long-time bass tech Elwood Francis. The original lineup of the band is now complete with the death of Beard, leaving Gibbons as the last survivor.
On social media, Gibbons recalled his longtime collaborator as one of the most naturally gifted drummers he knew as a true son of Texas. Beard's "signature backbeat" was "very, very important" in keeping ZZ on top, he added.
Beard's death caused the band to cancel planned performances in Sandy, Utah and Colorado Springs, Colorado. The band intends to continue touring this weekend, with a previously announced show at Austin City Limits, one of Beard's favorites and one that he calls his "second home."
- First name: Frank, Last name/known as: Beard
- Born: June 11, 1949, Frankston, Texas
- Died: August 17, 2026 (age 77), Richmond, Texas
- Known for: Drummer, ZZ Top (1969–2026)
- Notable songs: Gimme All Your Lovin', Legs, Sharp Dressed Man
- Honors: Naming rights sponsor of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2004).
- Survived in band with: Billy Gibbons (only original member still in band)
A: Frank Beard died at the age of 77.
Q; What was Frank Beard's cause of death?
A: The ZZ Top officials have not revealed the cause of Beard's death, stating only that he passed away in hospice care in his ranch in Texas.
Q; Is Billy Gibbons the last original member of ZZ Top?
A: Yes. Beard passed away and Gibbons is now the sole remaining founding member. Dusty Hill, bassist, passed away in 2021 and was replaced by Elwood Francis.
Q; Why did they say Frank Beard was "beardless"?
A: Although ZZ Top's look was about Gibbons' and Hill's long beards, Beard himself usually kept his head shaven or just had a mustache to go with his name, the fans and the band joked about that.
Q; So is ZZ Top ending its tour of the country?
A: Beard's death saw the cancellation of two shows, but the band plans to keep touring this weekend at Austin City Limits.