Frank Beard, drummer of ZZ Top, dies at 77
- Frank Beard, the drummer for ZZ Top, died at age 77 at his ranch in Richmond, Texas, where he was in hospice care, according to publicist Bob Merlis.
- Beard played on some of ZZ Top’s best-known songs, including "Sharp Dressed Man," "Gimme All Your Lovin'" and "Legs."
- Billy Gibbons said the band had lost a friend and collaborator and described Beard as a naturally innovative drummer with a signature backbeat.
- ZZ Top formed in 1969 and kept its original lineup for more than five decades, becoming a major rock act with strong record sales, chart success and Grammy nominations.
Frank Beard, the drummer for the Texas boogie-rock trio ZZ Top, has died at 77. Publicist Bob Merlis said Beard was in hospice care and died Tuesday at his ranch in Richmond, Texas, with family members at his side.
Beard was part of the classic lineup that powered ZZ Top’s biggest hits, including "Sharp Dressed Man," "Gimme All Your Lovin'" and "Legs." Band co-founder Billy Gibbons said Beard’s backbeat was central to the group’s sound and said the band would continue as Beard had wished.
ZZ Top formed in 1969 after Beard met Gibbons in The Moving Sidewalks and later introduced bassist and vocalist Dusty Hill. The group kept the same core lineup for decades and became widely known for its music, long-running image and commercial success.
The band sold more than 50 million records, had six No. 1 singles on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart, placed seven albums in the Billboard 200 top 10 and received three Grammy nominations. Musicians on social media also paid tribute to Beard’s playing and influence.
ZZ Top 鼓手 Frank Beard 去世，享年77岁
得克萨斯布吉摇滚三重奏 ZZ Top 的鼓手 Frank Beard 去世，享年77岁。公关人员 Bob Merlis 表示，Beard 当时正在接受临终关怀，并于周二在得克萨斯州里士满的农场去世，家人陪伴在侧。
Beard 是 ZZ Top 经典阵容的一员，参与了乐队最知名作品的演奏，包括《Sharp Dressed Man》《Gimme All Your Lovin'》和《Legs》。乐队创始成员 Billy Gibbons 说，Beard 的节奏是乐队声音的核心，并表示乐队会按照 Beard 生前的愿望继续下去。
ZZ Top 于1969年组建，Beard 先是在 The Moving Sidewalks 与 Gibbons 相识，之后又介绍了贝斯手兼主唱 Dusty Hill 加入。乐队此后长期保持核心阵容不变，并因音乐、形象和商业成绩而广为人知。
报道还提到，ZZ Top 售出超过5000万张唱片，在 Billboard 主流摇滚空中播放榜有6首冠军单曲，7张专辑进入 Billboard 200 前十，并获得过3次格莱美提名。多位音乐人也在社交媒体上表达了对 Beard 演奏风格和影响力的悼念。