ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard experienced health issues for more than a year leading up to his death on Aug. 17. Beard, 77, died after a stay in hospice care, according to the Fort Bend County Medical Examiner’s Office. His cause of death remains unclear, and an autopsy will not be performed.
Beard had been absent from the stage for extended periods due to his health. In March 2025, ZZ Top announced on Instagram that Beard would temporarily step away from their Elevation tour to address a "health issue requiring his focus." The band noted at the time that he was looking forward to a speedy recovery. He returned to performing later that year, with his last performance occurring in November 2025.
He was notably absent during the band’s The Big One! tour, which began in March. Fans on Reddit commented in May about his onstage absence. ZZ Top later canceled a show at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on Aug. 5, hours before it was scheduled, citing "unforeseen personnel matters." Frontman Billy Gibbons stated that "Insurmountable obstacles require canceling our Hollywood Bowl performance." While the band did not immediately disclose Beard’s health status, People confirmed less than a week later that the musician was on leave due to illness, with drummer Michael Monahan stepping in.
Beard was an original member of ZZ Top, formed in 1969. The band's lineup also included frontman Billy Gibbons and the late Dusty Hill. Elwood Francis joined the band to replace Hill after his death in 2021. ZZ Top has released 15 studio albums, sold an estimated 50 million records, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004.
Gibbons said in a statement, "Today, [bassist] 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. His signature backbeat was key to keeping ZZ on top."