Leaves legendary American rock band after 55 years on tour due to health problems: “We hope for a speedy recovery”

Frank Beard has provided the backbeat for legendary rock group ZZ Top for over half a century. But now, at 75 and battling health issues, the drummer - one of the two surviving original members, is stepping away from music.

ZZ Top drummer bows out of tour

Shelter Music Group, who manage the group, explained that Beard would not play the remaining dates of the Elevation tour which concludes in mid-April: “Mr. Frank Beard, has temporarily stepped away from the current tour to attend to a health issue requiring his focus in the near term. Beard, along with 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. Mr. Douglas has maintained a close relationship with Beard and the bandmates, having served with the group in the past.”

ZZ Top’s early years in Houston

Beard joined up with Billy Gibbons and and Dusty Hill, replacing Dan Mitchell in 1969 in ZZ Top’s first incarnation, The Moving Sidewalks - a pysch-rock outfit who started out supporting Jimi Hendrix.

The ‘Lil’ Ol’ Band from Texas’ with their striking chest-length, hillbilly beards, went to enjoy great commercial success in the 70s and 80s - the group’s ninth studio album, Afterburner went 5x platinum while Legs and Sleeping Bag were their biggest singles, reaching number eight on the US Billboard charts.

Beard, who played on all of the group’s nine studio albums, will be replaced by John Douglas for the nine remaining dates of the tour.

Original bass player Dusty Hill passed away in July 2021, aged 72.

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