RIP Frank Beard

Joey Bridges
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Damn, that was tough to read about.

Worked at a cabinet shop where he'd stop by twice a week to pick up a couple of coworkers, to go to softball practice. He was an avid softball player. 

To somewhat paraphrase a Joe Walsh song, he was an ordinary average guy.

 

And a massive driving force behind ZZTOP's Texas blues sound.

 

Go listen to, Velcro Fly.

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HuskyEd
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8/18/2026 3:52pm

Loved ZZ Top's early stuff before eliminator. Unfortunately Eliminator and beyond they seemed to have lost that hard driving blues they played. I always laughed to myself because Frank Beard was the one member that had no "beard". The great musicians of my youth are disappearing one at a time. 

RIP Frank Beard 

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Joey Bridges
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8/18/2026 4:14pm Edited Date/Time 8/18/2026 6:21pm
HuskyEd wrote:
Loved ZZ Top's early stuff before eliminator. Unfortunately Eliminator and beyond they seemed to have lost that hard driving blues they played. I always laughed to...

Loved ZZ Top's early stuff before eliminator. Unfortunately Eliminator and beyond they seemed to have lost that hard driving blues they played. I always laughed to myself because Frank Beard was the one member that had no "beard". The great musicians of my youth are disappearing one at a time. 

RIP Frank Beard 

Tres Hombres, and Tejas are obvious early classics. 

Antenna, Rythmeen, and One foot in the blues, are three of my favorites. All are true to their base as a Texas blues band. 

 

Saw them numerous times. 

First in San Diego with their, world wide Texas tour.

Later with the stones. 

And last with Jeff Beck, shortly before he passed.

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racin mason
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8/18/2026 4:26pm

I wonder if it was Babies lovin that did him in. ZZ Top has been one of my favorites  for nearly 60 years, still dig turnin it up to 11. May you rest in peace Mr. Beard.

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Joey Bridges
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8/18/2026 4:34pm

They were scheduled to play in the Tennessee theater in early October. 

A fantastic venue.

They replaced Dusty with Elwood. 

But Frank's loss may be the one ends the run.

So many great bands were never the same once they lost their drummer.

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The Shop

ShellyMX
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8/18/2026 5:19pm
HuskyEd wrote:
Loved ZZ Top's early stuff before eliminator. Unfortunately Eliminator and beyond they seemed to have lost that hard driving blues they played. I always laughed to...

Loved ZZ Top's early stuff before eliminator. Unfortunately Eliminator and beyond they seemed to have lost that hard driving blues they played. I always laughed to myself because Frank Beard was the one member that had no "beard". The great musicians of my youth are disappearing one at a time. 

RIP Frank Beard 

Agreed, but “Stages” is a great song. Got to see them with Sammy Hagar opening. freaking great show. RIP Frank.

1
LoudLove
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I totaled a ‘74 F150 to “Manic Mechanic”. True story. 

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ShellyMX
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LoudLove wrote:

I totaled a ‘74 F150 to “Manic Mechanic”. True story. 

I think I heard about this. What were the circumstances?

1
Nairb#70
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8/18/2026 5:53pm

Saw them in the mid eighties on the eliminator tour and they sounded great, closest to the studio I've ever heard.

2
Vet57
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8/19/2026 12:17am

Heard it on the X While Waiting for the bus all day. Godspeed.

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Joey Bridges
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LoudLove wrote:

I totaled a ‘74 F150 to “Manic Mechanic”. True story. 

ShellyMX wrote:

I think I heard about this. What were the circumstances?

Passed in hospice care. 

Undisclosed cause.

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Spurdo
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8/19/2026 3:44am

There was an excellent ZZ Top documentary on Netflix 5-6 years ago, interviews with the band members, history of the band - all that. Frank Beard got real honest about how with success and money, came drug and alcohol addictions. Its a wonder a lot of these guys last as long as they do. 'La Grange' is one of the best rock songs ever written, full stop.

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PNWMXer
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8/19/2026 4:28am
Spurdo wrote:
There was an excellent ZZ Top documentary on Netflix 5-6 years ago, interviews with the band members, history of the band - all that. Frank Beard...

There was an excellent ZZ Top documentary on Netflix 5-6 years ago, interviews with the band members, history of the band - all that. Frank Beard got real honest about how with success and money, came drug and alcohol addictions. Its a wonder a lot of these guys last as long as they do. 'La Grange' is one of the best rock songs ever written, full stop.

That was a great documentary. I need to watch it again. Dusty and Frank’s story about being restricted to “one drink” each, then finding the biggest novelty drink they could, was hilarious.

ZZ Top was one of the few bands that growing up, both my dad and I liked. Years ago, I surprised him with tickets for us to see them together. They still had Dusty at the time and seeing them with dad was awesome. 

Saw them one more time with Elwood after Dusty passed. 
 

Rest in Peace Frank. Thank you for the music that will live on.

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LoudLove
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LoudLove wrote:

I totaled a ‘74 F150 to “Manic Mechanic”. True story. 

ShellyMX wrote:

I think I heard about this. What were the circumstances?

Passed in hospice care. 

Undisclosed cause.

Had my DL for all of 10 days. Did not negotiate an off-camber gravel corner with any degree of skill. Told my dad the Ford was in a ditch. Didn’t tell him the right front fender was now integrated with the right front tire. 

Girl riding shotgun called me that night, said she thinks she hit the windshield. I asked her why, and she responded “I’m picking glass out of my forehead”. 

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Forty
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8/19/2026 7:06am

I missed a chance to see them in Denver 1980 - never had another -  

I played Tres Hombres last night - turned it up to 11

RIP Frank

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TeamGreen
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Awesome stories. This is an epic thread. 

Fred smiles on it.

Rest in Peace, you are a Texas legend. 

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Joey Bridges
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8/19/2026 7:46am
Spurdo wrote:
There was an excellent ZZ Top documentary on Netflix 5-6 years ago, interviews with the band members, history of the band - all that. Frank Beard...

There was an excellent ZZ Top documentary on Netflix 5-6 years ago, interviews with the band members, history of the band - all that. Frank Beard got real honest about how with success and money, came drug and alcohol addictions. Its a wonder a lot of these guys last as long as they do. 'La Grange' is one of the best rock songs ever written, full stop.

Opening scene was killer.

Rolling up to the old Gruene hall in a classic hot rod.

Spent a few evenings there, eating BBQ and listening to live music after tubing down the Guadalupe river. 

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Joey Bridges
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Forty wrote:
I missed a chance to see them in Denver 1980 - never had another -  I played Tres Hombres last night - turned it up to...

I missed a chance to see them in Denver 1980 - never had another -  

I played Tres Hombres last night - turned it up to 11

RIP Frank

Pulled up one of my dozens of CD books.

This one with ZZTOP, stones, Petty, and others. Going to be a loud, jammin' road trip to N.Carolina this weekend. 

20260819 104733
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LoudLove
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8/19/2026 8:48am

New poll:  Most Underrated ZZ Top song. First nominee:  “Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers”

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Radical
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8/19/2026 8:53am

I took the opportunity to see them late 2025.
For the older bands (or any band really), if you want to see them, don't wait.
You never know when they're going to stop touring for whatever reason.

They were so good!
I was amazed by how well they played, and it felt like they were genuinely enjoying themselves, and glad to still be touring after entertaining us for so many decades.
They cancelled a few shows, but my understanding is that they're continuing the tour.
I know they've had another drummer filling it for a while.
Beard was drumming that night. It was great!
RIP Frank Beard

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Joey Bridges
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8/19/2026 8:58am
LoudLove wrote:

New poll:  Most Underrated ZZ Top song. First nominee:  “Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers”

"My head's in Mississippi"

Joey Bridges
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8/19/2026 9:03am
LoudLove wrote:

New poll:  Most Underrated ZZ Top song. First nominee:  “Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers”

"Hot blue and righteous"

SEEMEFIRST
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8/19/2026 9:22am

"Master of Sparks"

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SEEMEFIRST
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8/19/2026 9:24am
Spurdo wrote:
There was an excellent ZZ Top documentary on Netflix 5-6 years ago, interviews with the band members, history of the band - all that. Frank Beard...

There was an excellent ZZ Top documentary on Netflix 5-6 years ago, interviews with the band members, history of the band - all that. Frank Beard got real honest about how with success and money, came drug and alcohol addictions. Its a wonder a lot of these guys last as long as they do. 'La Grange' is one of the best rock songs ever written, full stop.

Opening scene was killer.Rolling up to the old Gruene hall in a classic hot rod.Spent a few evenings there, eating BBQ and listening to live music...

Opening scene was killer.

Rolling up to the old Gruene hall in a classic hot rod.

Spent a few evenings there, eating BBQ and listening to live music after tubing down the Guadalupe river. 

If you didn't hit the hall after a tube, you did it wrong. 

1
Forty
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8/19/2026 9:25am

I'm a sucker for the oldest blues riff - doesn't matter who plays it, as long as the cadence is right

Dust my Broom

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ShellyMX
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Blue Jean Blues

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Joey Bridges
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8/19/2026 10:35am
Spurdo wrote:
There was an excellent ZZ Top documentary on Netflix 5-6 years ago, interviews with the band members, history of the band - all that. Frank Beard...

There was an excellent ZZ Top documentary on Netflix 5-6 years ago, interviews with the band members, history of the band - all that. Frank Beard got real honest about how with success and money, came drug and alcohol addictions. Its a wonder a lot of these guys last as long as they do. 'La Grange' is one of the best rock songs ever written, full stop.

Opening scene was killer.Rolling up to the old Gruene hall in a classic hot rod.Spent a few evenings there, eating BBQ and listening to live music...

Opening scene was killer.

Rolling up to the old Gruene hall in a classic hot rod.

Spent a few evenings there, eating BBQ and listening to live music after tubing down the Guadalupe river. 

SEEMEFIRST wrote:

If you didn't hit the hall after a tube, you did it wrong. 

We did it a lot back in the 80's before all of the, no trespassing/private property, signs went up.

Also the cliff jumping just before the end.

 

Gorman falls was another nice summertime destination. 

SEEMEFIRST
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8/19/2026 11:07am
Opening scene was killer.Rolling up to the old Gruene hall in a classic hot rod.Spent a few evenings there, eating BBQ and listening to live music...

Opening scene was killer.

Rolling up to the old Gruene hall in a classic hot rod.

Spent a few evenings there, eating BBQ and listening to live music after tubing down the Guadalupe river. 

SEEMEFIRST wrote:

If you didn't hit the hall after a tube, you did it wrong. 

We did it a lot back in the 80's before all of the, no trespassing/private property, signs went up.Also the cliff jumping just before the end. Gorman...

We did it a lot back in the 80's before all of the, no trespassing/private property, signs went up.

Also the cliff jumping just before the end.

 

Gorman falls was another nice summertime destination. 

The floods in the last 10 years have really jacked up the chutes that used to be there.

Among other things.

SCYRacing
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8/19/2026 11:12am
LoudLove wrote:

New poll:  Most Underrated ZZ Top song. First nominee:  “Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers”

I'll second that.

RIP Mr. Beard

1
Moto Nomad
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8/19/2026 11:39pm

A legendary drummer! My favorite is La Grange- he killed it on that song. RIP.

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