ZZ Top is Beard-less … Sort of

I always thought it was ironic that the only guy in ZZ Top without a beard was Frank Beard. Sadly, Frank passed away Monday at age 77. He was in hospice care, but the cause of death was not made known.

Billy Gibbons wrote on his social media pages: “Today, Elwood (Francis – who took over for the late Dusty Hill) 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.”

Rolling Stone magazine said, “While so much of ZZ Top’s aura centered on their hooks, their riffs, and their facial hair, the beardless Beard was the band’s indispensable anchor. He was a master of the Texas shuffle, an inch-perfect, steady-rocking drum groove that held down ZZ Top’s signature blues rock boogie on classic hits like “Tush” and “La Grange.”

Variety says, The 1983 album “Eliminator,” found Gibbons and his band mates experimenting with new technologies – guitar loops, manipulated vocals and synthesized bass and drums — that refreshed their sound.” “The breakout success of three “Eliminator” singles – “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” “Sharp Dressed Man” and “Legs” – and their accompanying videos, which featured car aficionado Gibbons’ like-named 1934 Ford coupe, lofted the band to a new level of commercial success and popular ubiquity.”

The band will continue to tour in honor of Beard. They will play over the weekend at Austin City Limits, one of Beard’s favorite venues. Billy Gibbons said, “The band of which he was part for six decades is going to keep on keeping on as he had wished.”

Rest In Peace, Frank.