Frank Beard, the longtime drummer for ZZ top, has stepped away from the band’s current tour because of a health issue.
ZZ Top said in an social media post Saturday, March 15 that Beard “has temporarily stepped away from the current tour to attend to a health issue requiring his focus in the near term.”
“Beard, along with ZZ Top 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 post continued. “Mr. Douglas has maintained a close relationship with Beard and the bandmates, having served with the group in the past.”
The post ended by indicating that Beard “is looking forward to a speedy recovery.”
ZZ Top is currently on the band’s 2025 Elevation Tour. The tour has more than a dozen shows left.
ZZ Top is also scheduled to headline The Big E Arena this September. The band will take the stage the last day of this year’s fair on Sunday, Sept. 28 at 7:30 p.m. at the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield.
Tickets to ZZ Top’s performance are available exclusively through The Big E’s website.
