Frank Beard: key obituary facts
Is Frank Beard dead? Yes. Frank Beard died on August 17, 2026, at age 77.
Cause of death: Frank Beard's cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
What was Frank Beard known for?
He was an American drummer.
More about Frank Beard
Born: 11 June 1949.
Place of birth: Frankston.
Gender: male.
Occupation: composer.
Nationality: United States.
Education: Irving High School.
Career began: 1969.
Also known as: Frank Lee Beard.
Genres: Hard rock, blues rock, boogie rock.
Years active: 1969–2025.
Formerly of: ZZ Top, American Blues.
Frank Beard, the American Hall of Fame rock drummer best known for his long run with ZZ Top, died on August 17, 2026, aged 77.
Born Frank Lee Beard in Frankston, Texas, he attended Irving High School in Irving and began his career in 1969. Before joining ZZ Top, Beard played in the American Blues group and earlier worked with Dusty Hill in the Outlaws; his early credits also included the Cellar Dwellers, the Hustlers, the Warlocks and a touring version of the Zombies.
Beard remained identified for decades as ZZ Top’s drummer, helping anchor the band’s hard rock, blues rock and boogie rock sound.
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In the news:
- Entertainment Weekly coverage of Frank Beard's death
- Deadline reports the death of Frank Beard
- Obituary for Frank Beard on Variety
- News of Frank Beard's death via Rolling Stone
- Frank Beard — death coverage on The New York Times
- Frank Beard's death reported by AOL
- Yahoo News on the death of Frank Beard
- Press coverage: Frank Beard dies — People
- Daily Mail coverage of Frank Beard's death
- Page Six reports the death of Frank Beard
- Obituary for Frank Beard on USA Today
- News of Frank Beard's death via TMZ
- Frank Beard — death coverage on AP News
- Frank Beard's death reported by Billboard