Frank Beard, the longtime drummer for the iconic blues rock band ZZ Top, has died at the age of 77. His death was announced Tuesday by the band's publicist, who stated he was in hospice care at his Richmond, Texas ranch with family members by his side.

Beard had been the drummer for ZZ Top for 56 years, joining the band in 1969. He was a constant presence alongside guitarists Billy Gibbons and bassist Dusty Hill, forming the classic ZZ Top lineup for over half a century. In March 2025, the band announced on social media that Beard had temporarily stepped away from their tour to address an unspecified health issue.

Born June 11, 1949, in Frankston, Texas, Beard's musical journey began with The Moving Sidewalks, a Houston-based band that also featured Billy Gibbons. The group soon evolved into ZZ Top. The band's debut album, "ZZ Top's First Album," was released in 1971. Beard's drumming was a foundational element of the band's sound, characterized by its fierce determination and driving rhythm, as noted by Billy Gibbons in the 2019 documentary "ZZ Top: That Little Ol' Band from Texas."

While the band achieved modest success with "Rio Grande Mud" in 1972, their breakthrough came with the 1973 album "Tres Hombres." The album's lead single, "La Grange," featuring Beard's distinctive snare-rim-tapping intro and powerful shuffle groove, propelled "Tres Hombres" into the top 10 of the Billboard 200 charts and earned the band its first RIAA gold certification.

Over their career, ZZ Top released 15 studio albums with Beard. "Eliminator," released in 1983, became their biggest seller, with over 10 million units sold in the U.S. The album produced hits like "Sharp-Dressed Man" and "Gimme All Your Lovin'," both driven by Beard's robust drumming, as well as "Legs."

Beard was also a part of other notable ZZ Top tracks, including "I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide," "Tush," "Cheap Sunglasses," and "Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers." He was the only member of the classic trio who did not sport the band's signature long beards.

In 2004, Beard was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame along with ZZ Top. Early in the band's history, Beard successfully navigated struggles with substance abuse, entering rehab in the early 1980s, during which time the band took a hiatus.

Beard was married twice and is survived by his second wife, Debbie Meredith, and their three children. His passing leaves Billy Gibbons as the sole surviving member of the original ZZ Top trio, following the death of bassist Dusty Hill in July 2021 at age 72.