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ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard has died at age 77.
In a statement posted by the band, ZZ Top frontman Billy F. Gibbons paid tribute to a 'great friend and collaborator' who he says was a key part of their success.
'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,' Gibbons said in a statement posted to the band's Instagram account.
The band will now be cancelling it's shows in Salt Lake City and Colorado Springs however will be moving forward with upcoming performances at Austin City Limits, a venue which held a special place in Beard's heart.
'The band will resume its current The Big One! Tour this weekend with two dates in at Austin City Limits, one of Frank’s favorite venues and in a city that had been something of a second home for him,' the statement added.
Beard joined the iconic band in 1969 but last year was urged to retire by fans after he pulled out of the band's tour due to a health issue.
Frank Beard, the longtime drummer for rock group ZZ Top, has died at age 77.
Beard, pictured far L, joined the iconic band in 1969
A statement from the band's management, Shelter Music Group, announced that Beard 'temporarily stepped away from the current tour to attend a health issue requiring his focus in the near term.'
'Beard, along with fellow ZZ Top members Billy F Gibbons and Elwood Francis, presently on the Elevation tour since March 5, have engaged fellow Texan and longtime tech member, percussionist and drummer, John Douglas, for the interim.'
The post added that Douglas 'has maintained a close relationship with Beard and the bandmates' and previously replaced Beard in a Paris performance in 2002 when the drummer had an emergency appendectomy.
The statement concluded: 'He is looking forward to a speedy recovery.'
ZZ Top former in 1969 and Beard joined shortly thereafter. It now consists of bassist Elwood Francis and founding member Gibbons. Francis joined the band after Dusty Hill died in 2021 at age 72.
The loss comes less than a month after the band cancelled a concert hours before they were set to take the stage.
The band were set to perform at the Hollywood Bowl earlier this month but were forced to cancel due to 'unforeseen personnel matters.'
The statement also contained a comment from frontman Billy Gibbons, who said: 'Insurmountable obstacles require canceling our Hollywood Bowl performance.'
Beard pictured performing at Stagecoach with the band in 2023
'Friends, fans and followers of ZZ Top are the best in the business and the band is counting on everyone to bear with us for this brief interruption.'
ZZ Top became popular in the 1970s and did very well in the 1980s. Their signature was very long beards on two of the band members, Hill and Gibbons.
ZZ Top released Tres Hombres in 1973, which reached the No. 8 position on the Billboard 200 albums chart.
Their top hits from that were La Grange and Jesus Just Left Chicago.
On their album Eliminator, they had the massive hits Gimme All Your Lovin' and Sharp Dressed Man as well as Legs.
ZZ Top's discography spans 15 albums, several of which won awards.
In 2004, ZZ Top was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.