Gov’t Mule Honors ZZ Top’s Frank Beard At Pine Creek Lodge

Gov’t Mule paid tribute to ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard at Pine Creek Lodge in Livingston, Montana on Tuesday night, just hours after news broke of Beard's death at age 77.

Warren Haynes and company opened the second set of their concert with a trio of ZZ Top songs, honoring the drummer whose playing had a profound influence on the Gov’t Mule guitarist and the band’s original power-trio format.

Up first was “Just Got Paid,” originally recorded by ZZ Top for their 1972 sophomore album, Rio Grande Mud. The performance marked the first time the early staple of Mule’s repertoire was performed by the band since December 31, 2024.

Gov’t Mule next dug into “Nasty Dogs And Funky Kings,” a song from ZZ Top’s 1975 album Fandango. The bluesy rocker, written by the classic lineup of Billy F Gibbons, Dusty Hill and Beard, was also last played by Mule on New Year’s Eve 2024.

The tribute concluded with “Blue Jean Blues,” another gem off Fandango. The slow-burning blues number, penned by Gibbons, gave Haynes plenty of room to channel the gritty spirit of the original while Mule’s rhythm section paid homage to the distinctive grooves Beard brought to ZZ Top.

Swipe the post below for footage of Gov’t Mule covering ZZ Top at Pine Creek Lodge:

Haynes shared a heartfelt remembrance of Beard on social media ahead of Tuesday’s show, explaining why the drummer’s work was so important to him and Gov’t Mule.

“By now, everyone knows of my (and Gov’t Mule’s) affinity for ZZ TOP,” Haynes wrote. “It would be impossible for a trio like Gov’t Mule to not be influenced by ZZ TOP—we’ve worn that on our sleeves as we will do tonight when we play some ZZ songs at our show in honor of Frank.”

Haynes went on to praise Beard’s role in creating ZZ Top’s unmistakable sound alongside Gibbons and Hill.

“As I’ve stated many times, in any trio (even more than in larger bands) each member’s musical personality has everything to do with the chemistry and each member plays a larger role as no one can ‘coast’—each person has to be firing on all cylinders at all times,” Haynes wrote. “Frank Beard was the perfect drummer for ZZ TOP.”

The Mule leader specifically pointed to the way Beard’s drumming interacted with Gibbons’ guitar and Hill’s bass, creating the groove that became ZZ Top’s signature.

“It was bluesy, it was rock and roll, but it was FUNKY,” Haynes added, recalling the distinctive drum fill in “La Grange” that generations of drummers have attempted to replicate.

Haynes also singled out ZZ Top’s 1976 album Tejas as a particularly important example of Beard’s musicianship.

“I loved Frank’s drumming on all those records, but if I had to choose one as an example of his style it would be Tejas,” Haynes wrote. “I remember hearing that record for the first time and thinking that he had opened a whole new door—for himself and everyone else.”

The connection between Haynes and ZZ Top runs deep. Gov’t Mule have long worn their ZZ Top influence proudly, and Haynes has shared stages with the Texas trio numerous times over the years.

“Having worked with those guys many times through the years, I can say it was always an honor to share the stage and to call them my friends,” Haynes wrote. “After losing Dusty, this is a tough blow but we all know that the musical spirit of ZZ TOP will ride into the future—loud and proud. Thanks for paving the way for so many.”

Beard, the only member of ZZ Top who didn’t actually have a beard, was an essential part of the band’s identity. His economical but deeply funky drumming was a key component of the trio’s sound from their earliest recordings through their decades-long run as one of rock’s most enduring acts.

At Pine Creek Lodge, Gov’t Mule made sure Beard’s influence was heard loud and clear.

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