ZZ Top co-founder and drummer Frank Beard sadly passed away at the age of 77. Besides millions of fans worldwide, many rock stars who knew him or admired his playing also paid tribute, sharing their thoughts about him.
Frank was born in Frankston, Texas in 1949 and started his career in 1969, the same year he formed ZZ Top alongside Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill. That line-up remained together for more than 52 years until Hill’s death in 2021.
Rock Stars’ reactions to ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard’s death
Billy Gibbons
“Today, Elwood 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. – – – BFG”
Tom Hamilton (Aerosmith)
“Sad to hear about Frank Beard’s passing. They’ll have to look far and wide to find somebody who can do what he did,” he said.
Lynyrd Skynyrd
“Frank was one of a kind. A hell of a drummer, a true original, and most importantly to us, a great friend. Our hearts are with Frank’s family, Billy, and the entire ZZ Top family. We’re gonna miss you, brother. Give Dusty and all our brothers & sisters hugs for us. Rest easy, Frank. Until we meet again. 🖤,” they said.
Foghat
“We are so very sorry to hear about the passing of Frank Beard! What an incredible drummer and great guy. We’ve done so many shows with ZZTop over the years and always a pleasure to share the stage with them. Our thoughts and love go out to Billy & Elwood, and of course his family & friends. Thank you Frank for your solid presence all these many years. RIP. Very sad news,” the band said.
Brad Wilk (RATM and Audioslave)
“R.I.P. Frank Beard. I first experienced ZZ Top at the LA forum in high school for the eliminator tour. My mind was BLOWN! Watching his two hand shuffle live was immense. I love that Franks last name was beard and he was the only one in the band without one. Godspeed,” he said.
Matt Sorum (Guns N’ Roses, Velvet Revolver)
“RIP Frank Beard … The backbone of ZZ Top for 57 years with the best shuffle known to man. It might sound easy but possibly one of the hardest things I’ve ever try to learn and still trying …… that being said he was born with it in his blood with that Lil Ol Band from Texas they had a name for it … The Texas shuffle !! Maybe most folks wouldn’t appreciate it as much as us drummers . A very special and unique man behind the kit. Condolences to his family and Bandmates and crew that have been out there for over a half a century,” he said.
Vernon Reid (Living Colour)
“Rest In Power, Frank Beard. A great drummer, who wasn’t just part of an iconic band, but an institution in the best sense of the word. ZZ Top IS Texas! Condolences are due. His last name was arguably the greatest ironic Dad Joke i in Rock & Roll. Please send Billy Gibbons ❤️🩹,” he said.
Tim Montana
“Sad day for the ZZ family. Frank Beard has left the building. Thank you for your tremendous contribution to music and always being kind to me and the band. 🙏,” he said.
Gary Holt (Exodus)
“Rest in peace Frank Beard of @zztop , there’s a lot of sad beer drinkers and hell raisers around the world today. I play “Tush” my first time ever stepping on a stage and @exodusbandofficial continued to play it many a back yard kegger. Sad loss for rock n roll 💔,” Gary Holt said.
Rikki Rockett (Poison)
“RIP Frank. Thank you for the inspiration!,” he said.
Joe Bonamassa
“Rest in peace Frank. Truly a one of a kind,” he said.
Blackberry Smoke
“We had the good fortune of traveling a lot of miles on the road with Frank, Billy and Dusty. It meant so much to us to have the opportunity to learn from the three of them each in his own way. They provided some memories that will be etched in our minds forever. Frank was one of those musicians who didn’t have to anything to prove. Every time he sat down behind the kit it was a reminder of what a great rock & roll band was supposed to sound like…and he could lay down that nasty shuffle like nobody else.
He was funny, kind and generous with his time and stories. He was the driving force behind one of the greatest rock n roll trios in history. They made a three-piece sound enormous. For a bunch of guys who grew up listening to ZZ Top, getting to share so much time with them was most definitely surreal. Getting to know Frank was a huge part we’ll never forget. P.s. Thank ya for the fajitas, Mr Beard!” they said.
Warren Haynes (Gov’t Mule)
“By now, everyone knows of my (and Gov’t Mule’s) affinity for ZZ TOP. It would be impossible for a trio like Gov’t Mule to not be influenced by ZZ TOP–we’ve worn that on our sleeves as we will do tonight when we play some ZZ songs at our show in honor of Frank.”
“As I’ve stated many times, in any trio (even more than in larger bands) each member’s musical personality has everything to do with the chemistry and each member plays a larger role as no one can “coast” —each person has to be firing on all cylinders at all times. Frank Beard was the perfect drummer for ZZ TOP. The way he played with Billy and Dusty created a unique groove that was evident from the first song any of us ever heard by them. It was bluesy, it was rock and roll, but it was FUNKY. Think about how every drummer (including recently my 14 year old son) was excited to figure out that enigma of a fill he played (two different times, two different ways) in LaGrange.”
“All the ZZ TOP records were filled with these hooky riffs and grooves that would have sounded different with 3 different hombres playing them. Frank came up with these unique drum patterns that most (or all) drummers would have approached differently, and we’re all grateful that he did. I loved Frank’s drumming on all those records, but if I had to choose one as an example of his style it would be ‘Tejas.’ I remember hearing that record for the first time and thinking that he had opened a whole new door—for himself and everyone else.”
“Having worked with those guys many times through the years, I can say it was always an honor to share the stage and to call them my friends. After losing Dusty, this is a tough blow but we all know that the musical spirit of ZZ TOP will ride into the future—loud and proud. Thanks for paving the way for so many,” he said.
George Thorogood & The Destroyers
“Today we say goodbye to Frank Beard. His contributions are something that we will always be listening to. Rest easy sir…you have certainly earned it,” he said.