In brief
Frank Beard, the last surviving member of the iconic Houston‑based rock trio, passed away Monday at his Texas ranch while in hospice. The band announced his death on their website, noting that his passing required the cancellation of shows in Utah and Colorado. Beard had been a steady rhythmic backbone for ZZ Top since the early 1970s, playing on classics such as “La Grange” and “Sharp Dressed Man.” The group plans to resume touring this weekend, paying tribute to Beard’s favourite venues. His legacy as the “Man With No Beard” will live on through the band’s enduring music and influence.
Rising from the heart of Houston, Frank Beard has been the steady pulse behind ZZ Top’s gritty blues‑rock sound for six decades. The band confirmed his death Monday, noting he passed away while receiving care at his ranch in Richmond, Texas.
His passing has forced the group to cancel current tour dates in Utah and Colorado and will see the band pause for a brief period of tribute.
Beard joined ZZ Top after the release of their first single “Salt Lick,” and held the rhythmic engine for landmark albums such as Eliminator (1984) and Afterburner (1987). With hit singles like “La Grange,” “Tush,” and “Cheap Sunglasses,” he helped keep the band at the forefront of rock for generations.
Featured famously in the band’s eyewear and bearded image, Beard was nicknamed the “Man With No Beard” for his lack of facial hair—a noted contrast among the trio’s many long‑bearded members.
ZZ Top, who were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, continues to tour worldwide, though this week their three‑night stop will be postponed to honor their drummer’s memory. The band has announced a return to the “The Big One!” Tour this weekend, with two dates at Austin City Limits, a venue that was deeply personal for Beard.
Fråk not only anchors the drums but also shapes the band's signature grooves, and his legacy will remain woven through every beat. Efforts will be made to keep the music rolling, honoring his wish that the band continue playing.
Image Capture: Frank Beard performing at the 2023 Stagecoach Festival, Indio, California. Getty Images.
