ZZ Top’s Frank Beard Announces Leave of Absence Due to ‘Health Issue’

ZZ Prime drummer Frank Beard can be absent from the group’s upcoming tour plans, citing a “well being difficulty” as the explanation for his newly-announced depart of absence.

The Texas trio introduced the information on Saturday (March 15), explaining that Beard can be absent from the group’s present Elevation tour as a result of have to bear an unspecified well being process.

“Shelter Music Group, ZZ Prime’s administration, has introduced the band’s drummer, Mr. Frank Beard, has quickly stepped away from the present tour to attend a well being difficulty requiring his focus within the close to time period,” a social media publish from the band learn.

“Beard, together with fellow ZZ Prime members Billy F Gibbons and Elwood Francis, presently on the Elevation tour since March 5, have engaged fellow Texan and longtime tech member, percussionist and drummer, John Douglas, for the interim.”

The publish famous that Douglas has “maintained a detailed relationship with Beard and the bandmates,” and had even sat in for Beard throughout a Paris efficiency in October 2002 when he underwent an emergency appendectomy.

“He’s trying ahead to a speedy restoration,” the publish concluded.

ZZ Prime launched their Elevation tour in October 2024, and toured all through the U.S. till November. The trek resumed on March 5, and can see the group performing throughout the nation till April, after they go to Australia and New Zealand. Additional North American dates can be held upon their return, although it’s at the moment unknown when Beard will resume his place behind the package.

Beard has been the drummer of ZZ Prime since 1969, when he took over from co-founder Dan Mitchell. Alongside vocalist and guitarist Billy Gibbons, Mitchell and bassist Lanier Greig had based the band that very same yr. 

Following Grieg’s substitute by Billy Ethridge, Dusty Hill assumed the position of bassist in 1970, with their lineup remaining unchanged for 51 years till Hill’s dying at 72 in 2021. Elwood Francis has since served because the group’s bassist.

The group haven’t launched a studio album since 2012’s La Futura, although Gibbons has claimed a brand new document that includes contributions from the late Hill is within the works.