SOLOMONS, Md. — The death of longtime ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard is not expected to affect the legendary rock band’s upcoming performance at the Calvert Marine Museum, according to museum officials.
“Not expected to impact the show,” Calvert Marine Museum Director Bonnie Barrett said.
Beard had not been regularly performing with ZZ Top in recent months amid health issues.
ZZ Top is scheduled to perform Sept. 11 at the Motto Mortgage Preferred and RE/MAX One Waterside Pavilion, with George Thorogood & the Destroyers scheduled to open.
Beard had not performed with ZZ Top since 2025. The band has continued touring in his absence.
ZZ Top said Tuesday that it canceled shows scheduled for Tuesday in Salt Lake City and Wednesday in Colorado Springs but plans to resume its current The Big One! Tour this weekend with two performances at Austin City Limits.
Guitarist Billy Gibbons said Beard wanted the band to continue.
“Today, Elwood and I lost a great friend and collaborator, and the world lost one of the most naturally innovative drummers and a great and true son of Texas,” Gibbons said in a statement released by the band. “His signature backbeat was key to keeping ZZ on top. The band of which he was part for six decades is going to keep on keeping on as he had wished.”
According to the band, Beard joined Gibbons and bassist Dusty Hill in Houston in 1969, beginning a lineup that remained intact for more than 50 years. After Hill’s death in 2021, longtime guitar technician Elwood Francis took over bass duties.
ZZ Top became known for its blues-influenced rock and boogie sound and songs including “La Grange,” “Sharp Dressed Man” and “Legs.” The band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. The Rock Hall described the trio at the time as the world’s longest-running band without a personnel change.
The Sept. 11 concert is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., with gates opening at 5:30 p.m.
As of Tuesday evening, the concert remained scheduled, and officials said Beard’s death is not expected to affect the performance at this time.
This story will be updated as additional information becomes available.
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