Overview
- Frank Beard died Monday at age 77 on his ranch in Richmond, Texas, while in hospice care and with family present.
- The band and its spokesperson confirmed the death but have not released a precise cause of death.
- Beard had missed recent shows because of serious health problems, leading ZZ Top to cancel a Hollywood Bowl date earlier in August.
- ZZ Top has canceled immediate shows in Salt Lake City and Colorado Springs and is using touring drummer Michael Monahan and bassist Elwood Francis to cover dates as it plans to resume performances this weekend.
- Beard was a founding member who shaped ZZ Top’s sound from 1969 onward, played on all their studio albums, and leaves a major musical legacy that the band says it will honor as it moves forward.