ZZ Top have returned to the stage following the death of their longtime drummer Frank Beard. See the footage below.
Beard died last Monday (August 17), aged 77, while receiving hospice care at his ranch in Richmond, Texas. A cause of death has not yet been disclosed.
The band’s founder, Billy Gibbons, paid tribute to the late musician, who joined the group’s line-up in 1969. He described him as “one of the most naturally innovative drummers and a great and true son of Texas”, adding: “His signature backbeat was key to keeping ZZ on top.”
ZZ Top subsequently cancelled their scheduled concerts in Salt Lake City and Colorado Springs. However, they vowed to fulfil their planned two dates at the Moody Theater in Austin – a venue they said was one of Beard’s favourites and “a second home for him”.
The first show took place last Saturday (August 22), with ZZ Top delivering a 17-song set (via Setlist.FM). They were joined on stage by drummer Michael Monahan, who had been filling in for Beard recently.
According to Loudwire, Beard’s surviving bandmates did not explicitly address his death on stage – but Gibbons did refer to him as “our dear drummer” while introducing Monahan.
“I guess some of you probably know there’s a new man in town,” he told the crowd after the opening song, ‘Got Me Under Pressure’.
“In fact, it all started a little while back. 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 [it]; he said, ‘My bass drum foot’s a little weak. Can you get my man to take over?’ I said, ‘Oh yeah, yeah, he’s been doing pretty good’. Frank said, ‘Yeah, that’s what worries me’.”
Gibbons told fans that ZZ Top were there for “a celebration”, adding: “So y’all have a good time!” The group resumed the set with 1973’s ‘Waitin’ For The Bus’. Another clip from the night shows them playing ‘La Grange’ as the closing number.
ZZ Top performed at the Moody Theater again last Sunday (August 23), and will be touring across North America until October.
