Face of the Day

Frank Beard, the longtime drummer of American rock-blues group ZZ Top, has died at the age of 77, the band and their publicist announced Tuesday.

Beard, whose beats carried hits like “La Grange” and “Sharp Dressed Man”, had stepped back from touring last year after unspecified health issues.

ZZ Top’s lead singer Billy Gibbons paid tribute to Beard as a “great friend and collaborator”.

“The world lost one of the most naturally innovative drummers and a great and true son of Texas. His signature backbeat was key to keeping ZZ on top,” Gibbons said.

“The band of which he was part for six decades is going to keep on keeping on as he had wished.”

Beard was in hospice care when he died at his ranch in Richmond, Texas, with family members at his side, band representative Bob Merlis said.

NZ Herald