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ZZ Top continues tour without ailing drummer Frank Beard

Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News on

Published in Entertainment News

NEW YORK — ZZ Top is continuing its The Big One tour without drummer Frank Beard, who’s reportedly dealing with health issues.

The guitar rock trio, famous for hits including “Cheap Sunglasses,” “Legs” and “Sharp Dressed Man,” lost original bassist Dusty Hill in 2021. The 72-year-old Texan died in his sleep. He was replaced by the band’s longtime guitar tech Elwood Francis.

Rolling Stone reported that percussionist Michael Monahan will fill-in for Beard as he deals with an undisclosed health problem.

The only original member of the group currently on tour is founder Billy Gibbons. He got things started in 1969 and was soon joined by Beard and Hill. The trio remained intact until Hill died.

 

The band is booked to perform Tuesday night at Marymoor Amphitheater in Washington. They’re also slated to play in East Meadow and Syracuse at the start of September. It’s not clear when Beard, 77, will be behind the drums again.

ZZ Top cancelled a Hollywood Bowl show last week the day before it was schedule to take place. They were to have shared a stage with “I Want You to Want Me” hitmakers Cheap Trick. The cancellation was blamed on “unforeseen personnel matters.”

ZZ Top was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards introduced the band. Cheap Trick followed suit in 2016 with Kid Rock doing the honors.


©2026 New York Daily News. Visit nydailynews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

 

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