ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard dies at 77

Frank Beard, the drummer for the US rock band ZZ Top, has died at the age of 77. According to his bandmate Billy Gibbons, the sad news was shared on Instagram on Tuesday (local time). Gibbons stated that he and fellow musician Elwood Francis have lost a great friend and collaborator.

Beard was a permanent member of ZZ Top for more than 50 years. His musicality and innovative style made him well-known in the music world. Gibbons referred to him as one of the most inherently innovative drummers and honored him as a "true son of Texas."

According to the band's representative, Bob Merlis, Beard spent his final days in hospice care, surrounded by his family. The exact date of his death was not mentioned, but it is acknowledged that Beard's loss is intensely felt in the music scene.

The band ZZ Top was defined by their unique blend of rock and blues. Beard was not only an important drummer but also contributed to the band dynamics that had a lasting impact on rock sound for decades.

The music world reacted with shock on social media to the news of his passing. Fans and colleagues expressed their condolences and reminisced about the musical highlights Beard achieved with the band. The legacy of ZZ Top and their music continues to be celebrated.

Frank Beard will be remembered in rock history not only as a drummer but also as part of a particularly influential band in the genre. ZZ Top sold over 50 million records worldwide and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.