The drummer will be back on “Top” starting this weekend
ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard has been off the road for the past few weeks to address a medical issue that necessitated his return to Texas and has missed several dates on the band’s ongoing Elevation Tour. Management has revealed that the issue that had sidelined him has been resolved and that his medical team has okayed his return to the tour. He’ll be back behind his kit as of the Tulsa date on September 5th and continuing with his bandmates as the tour continues through September, October, and November.
Beard expressed delight at the prospect of his return to the stage, commenting, “The doctors did what they did so now I’m able to do what I do. Happy that. It’s back to band business as usual.”
Beard rejoined his long-time bandmates in June, but was sidelined again last month due to medical issues. John Douglas filled in for Beard during his absence.
Since the founding of ZZ Top on the last day of 1969, they have gone on to become one of the top concert and recording attractions in the world, highlighted by a string of hit records including their 1973 breakthrough “La Grange” as well as “Sharp Dressed Man,” “Legs” and many more. Their album catalog including Tres Hombres, Deguello, Eliminator and others has sold more than 60 million units worldwide and their status as a top tier in-person attraction remains undiminished. ZZ Top’s concert audiences are typically multi-generational, reflecting their enduring role as blues rock standard bearers for more than half a century. Their ability to seamlessly blend grungy guitar-based blues with synth-pop solidified their place as rock icons as has their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by none other than Keith Richards.
In 2021, ZZ Top faced a significant loss with the passing of Dusty Hill. At his urging, Elwood Francis stepped up to fill the void, bringing exceptional musicianship and coincidental facial hair, making him a worthy successor to the legendary bassist. Fronted by the legendary Billy F Gibbons and underpinned by rhythmic force of Frank Beard (aka “The Man With No Beard”) with Elwood on bass for the past few years, the group continues to redefine their sonic approach.
ZZ Top’s latest album, Raw, released in July 2022, pays homage to their roots, and serves as a poignant tribute to the late Dusty Hill. The album, recorded at the historic Gruene Hall in Texas, captures the essence of the band’s 2019 Grammy-nominated documentary, ZZ Top: That Little Ol’ Band From Texas.
