Frank Beard has returned to the drum throne for ZZ Top following a brief medical leave, reuniting the classic rhythm section for the band’s upcoming North American dates. The seasoned drummer, long recognized as the quiet but unshakable anchor behind the Texas trio’s hard-driving sound, had stepped away from touring earlier this year to undergo treatment for a chronic foot and ankle condition. His absence was filled by John Douglas, a longtime drum tech and trusted substitute, who helped maintain the group’s momentum as they moved through their Elevation Tour schedule.
Now back behind the kit, Frank Beard brings more than just familiarity to the stage. His return restores the core chemistry of a lineup that has, for decades, relied on the subtle but decisive interplay between his precise rhythms and Billy Gibbons’ guitar work. While ZZ Top has always thrived on its visual and sonic minimalism, along with a lot of blues-infused swagger, there’s an underlying complexity in their arrangements that relies heavily on the drummer’s consistency and restraint. Beard’s approach is rarely flashy, but his groove is foundational. From the hypnotic shuffle on “La Grange” to the slick pulse of “Sharp Dressed Man,” his playing has shaped the band’s identity.
The announcement of his return was made ahead of the summer leg of the tour, which is set to cover numerous cities across the U.S. and Canada. According to the band’s management, Beard’s recovery went according to plan, and he was cleared to resume performing after a successful rehabilitation period. There were no public statements from Beard himself, but those close to the group describe him as eager to get back to doing what he does best—delivering tight, reliable backbeats from behind his Gretsch drum kit.
There’s something about the Elevation Tour that feels heavier for ZZ Top. It’s one of their longer touring runs since losing bassist Dusty Hill back in 2021. Not long after, Elwood Francis stepped in to handle the bass, easing into the band’s rough-edged, no-frills sound. He hasn’t tried to reinvent it, just found his way into the pocket, adding his touch without losing what made it ZZ Top in the first place. His playing has fit the mold, but the subtle chemistry among the original members has always been the band’s backbone. With Frank Beard now back behind the drum kit, that familiar rhythm dynamic is restored, a sound longtime fans recognize almost instantly.
Billy Gibbons, who has fronted the group since its earliest days, has made it clear that Beard’s return brings more than just comfort. It breathes life back into the trio’s natural rhythm. Though the shows continued without interruption, there’s a kind of musical shorthand between Gibbons and Beard that comes only from decades of playing together. It’s the kind of connection that can’t easily be filled in, even by a skilled stand-in. That intangible quality, years of shared experience, subtle musical cues, and a near-telepathic sense of timing, returns now in full force.
Though the world of rock music has changed since ZZ Top’s heyday, their continued relevance depends not just on nostalgia but on the strength of their performances. Beard’s return isn’t just a footnote for fans; it’s a reaffirmation of the group’s commitment to delivering their music with the integrity and authenticity that built their following in the first place. As the summer tour dates approach, audiences can expect the same tight, no-frills rock and roll they’ve come to love, now with all the original rhythm intact.