Frank Beard, the longtime drummer of blues-rock legends ZZ Top, has passed away at age 77 in hospice care at his Texas ranch. The band has cancelled upcoming tour dates in Utah and Colorado.

Frank Beard, the drummer who anchored the sound of ZZ Top for six decades, died on Monday in hospice care at his ranch in Richmond, Texas, surrounded by family members. The specific cause of his death was not disclosed. His passing prompted the cancellation of scheduled tour performances in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Colorado Springs, Colorado, this week.

Beard joined ZZ Top after the band's formation in 1969 and first live performance in 1970. Throughout his tenure, he provided the rhythmic foundation for numerous hit tracks including "La Grange," "Tush," and "Cheap Sunglasses." He remained the only member of the Houston-based group who did not maintain the long, distinctive facial hair that became the band's signature look, earning him the nickname "The Man With No Beard."

The band's lead vocalist Billy Gibbons paid tribute to his departed bandmate, calling him "one of the most naturally innovative drummers and a great and true son of Texas." Gibbons emphasized that Beard's "signature backbeat was key to keeping ZZ on top" during the group's extensive career. ZZ Top, which was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, has released 15 studio albums and 4 live albums, with their 1983 album "Eliminator" achieving diamond certification with over 10 million copies sold.

Despite Beard's death, the band indicated plans to resume touring this weekend with performances at Austin City Limits in Austin, a venue described as one of Beard's favourites and a city significant to the band's history. Following the death of bassist Dusty Hill in 2021, the group continued performing with Elwood Francis on bass.