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ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard dead months after dropping out of tour over health issues

ZZ Top's legendary drummer Frank Beard has sadly passed away while in 'hospice care', the band's publicist confirmed, as his bandmates issued a heartfelt tribute

[Frank Beard]

Drummer Frank Beard from ZZ Top has passed away(Image: AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

The longtime drummer for the iconic rock band ZZ Top has tragically passed away at the age of 77.

Frank Beard has been confirmed to have died in "hospice care" and was surrounded by members of the his family. He had been the legendary band's drummer for over 50 years.

According to a statement from the band's publicist today (August 18), it said: "It was announced today that Frank Beard, ZZ Tops drummer for the past 56 years, has died. He was in hospice care when he passed away at his ranch in Richmond, TX with family members at his side".

Previously, ZZ Top confirmed on the band's official X account in March last year that Beard had "temporarily stepped away" from touring. However, they never specified the health issue.

[Frank Beard]

Beard was in 'hospice care' when he passed away(Image: AP Photo/Winslow Townson)

Beard kept the tempo for the band's biggest hits like "Sharp Dressed Man," "Legs" and "Gimme All Your Lovin".

Band co-founder and guitarist Billy Gibbons, on tour with bassist Elwood Francis, hailed Beard in a statement.

Gibbons said: "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. The band of which he was part for six decades is going to keep on keeping on as he had wished."

[ ZZ Top ]

ZZ Top co-founder Billy Gibbons paid tribute to Beard(Image: AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau)

ZZ Top sold more than 50 million records and had six singles that reached No. 1 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Airplay chart.

Seven of their albums have been in the Billboard 200's Top 10 and they earned three Grammy Award nominations.

"I've found the people I was meant to play with," Beard says in the 2019 documentary "ZZ Top: That Little Ol' Band from Texas." "I never wanted to quit, and never wanted to get fired."

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