ZZ Top returned to the stage in Austin on Saturday following the death of longtime drummer Frank Beard at age 77. Frontmann Billy Gibbons addressed the loss during the band’s opening set, while drummer Michael Monahan filled in on the kit as the group resumed touring commitments through October.
Rock band ZZ Top returned to live performances on Saturday evening at the Moody Theater in Austin, marking their first appearance since the death of longtime drummer Frank Beard on August 17 at age 77. Frank Beard died after a stay in a hospice facility. The exact cause of death is not yet known. Beard had been experiencing severe health issues, leading the group to cancel scheduled shows in early August, including a planned performance at the famous Hollywood Bowl where frontman Billy Gibbons (76) spoke of insurmountable obstacles
and asked fans for patience.
Austin Return and Frontman Billy Gibbons’ Tribute
While the band canceled two performances earlier in the week following Beard’s passing, they honored their commitments in Austin at the Moody Theater—described beforehand in a statement by the band as one of Frank’s favorite locations and a city that had become something of a second home to him. Frontman Billy Gibbons mentioned Beard’s death only once during the concert, speaking to the crowd after the opening song during the band introduction.
I guess some of you probably know there’s a new man in town. Actually, that started a while ago. Elwood [Francis, bassist] and I got an unexpected call from our dear Frank Beard, our dear drummer for 50 years. I’ve never heard him admit to something like this — he said, ‘My bass-drum foot is a little weak. Can you have my man [Monahan] take over?’ I said, ‘Oh yeah, yeah, he does pretty well. Frank said, ‘Yeah, that’s exactly what I’m worried about.’ Billy Gibbons, Frontman, via Ultimate Classic Rock and rollingstone.de
Gibbons kept the atmosphere celebratory rather than overly elegiac, telling the audience, We’re all here to celebrate — you know what happened. So we’re going to have a good time. Longtime drum technician John Douglas and drummer Michael Monahan have both filled in for Beard in recent years as the drummer dealt with health complications. Monahan operated the drum kit for Saturday’s performance in Austin. Just days prior to the sad news, the band was still playing without him in California.
Five Decades of Decisive Rhythm Behind ZZ Top
Frank Beard belonged to ZZ Top since 1969, shaping the unmistakable sound of the band over more than five decades. Frank Beard belonged to the legendary core lineup of the Texas rockers alongside singer Billy Gibbons and bass player Dusty Hill, who passed away in 2021 at the age of 72. Beard performed on all 15 of the band’s studio albums, shaping the signature sound behind global hits such as La Grange
, Tush
, Gimme All Your Lovin’
, Sharp Dressed Man
, and Legs
.
In 2004, ZZ Top was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Until the death of bassist Dusty Hill, the cult band remained together in its classic lineup. The band previously navigated the loss of bassist Dusty Hill in 2021 by bringing Elwood Francis into the lineup quickly as a permanent member, showing a similar resilience.
The Big One Tour and Upcoming Dates
The North American leg of the band’s “The Big One!” tour resumed on Sunday in Austin, keeping ZZ Top on the road through October. Gibbons, Francis, and presumably also Monahan are subsequently scheduled to travel to South America for a few shows in November.
Продолжение темы
