ZZ Top’s longtime drummer, Frank Beard, is stepping away from the band’s current tour for health reasons. The 75-year-old musician is taking time off to focus on an unspecified health procedure.
In a statement released on Sunday, March 16th, the band confirmed that Beard would be temporarily absent from the Elevation tour, which began on March 5th. The statement, issued by Shelter Music Group, the band’s management, read:
“ZZ Top’s drummer, Mr. Frank Beard, has temporarily stepped away from the current tour to attend to a health issue requiring his immediate attention.”
During his absence, Beard’s spot will be filled by John Douglas, a Texan percussionist and longtime tech member of the band. Douglas, who has performed with ZZ Top in the past, has a close relationship with Beard and the band. He previously filled in for Beard when he had an emergency appendectomy in Paris in 2002.
“Frank is looking forward to a speedy recovery,” the statement concluded.
Beard, alongside frontman Billy F. Gibbons, has been part of ZZ Top since the band’s formation in 1969. He is also credited with introducing Gibbons to the late Dusty Hill.
ZZ Top’s Elevation Tour, which started on March 5th, will continue with a performance in Hiawassee, Georgia, on March 18th. The tour is scheduled to run until late August.
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