ZZ Top Celebrates Frank Beard At 1st Show Since Drummer’s Death

ZZ Top took the stage at ACL Live in Austin on Saturday night with a new drummer behind the kit and the memory of Frank Beard looming large. The concert marked the band’s first since Beard's death on August 17, with Billy F Gibbons and Elwood Francis turning the emotional occasion into a celebration of their longtime bandmate.

ACL Live was particularly meaningful because Austin became a second home for Beard and the venue was among his favorites. ZZ Top had canceled shows in Salt Lake City, Colorado Springs and Eagle Pass (Texas) following Beard’s death before returning to the stage in Austin. Tha band played two nights over the week at ACL Live.

ZZ Top opened the Saturday concert with “Got Me Under Pressure.” Afterward, Gibbons told the audience there is “a new man in town.” The guitarist, the only surviving member of the trio’s classic lineup, then introduced drummer Michael Monahan.

“I guess some of you probably know there’s a new man in town,” Gibbons said.

“In fact, it all started a little while back,” he continued. “Elwood [Francis] and I got an unexpected call from our dear Frank Beard, our dear drummer for 50 years. I’ve never heard him admit – he said, ‘My bass drum foot’s a little weak. Can you get my man to take over?’ I said, ‘Oh yeah, yeah, he’s been doing pretty good.’ Frank said, ‘Yeah, that’s what worries me.'”

Gibbons made it clear the concert wasn’t going to be a maudlin affair. “We’re all here for a celebration,” the guitarist continued. “So y’all have a good time!”

Monahan filled in for Beard both musicially and visually. A review of the show published by Austin American-Statesman noted “Monahan fit in perfectly as Beard’s successor, and the young drummer even wore a pair of ZZ Top’s signature dark sunglasses.”

ZZ Top ripped through a 13-song main set and four-song encore at ACL Live. The trio’s performance served as a highlight reel of their nearly six-decade career with hits such as “Gimme All Your Lovin,” “Cheap Sunglasses,” “Sharp Dressed Man” and “Legs” joined in the setlist by Gibbons’ newer “Brown Paper Bag,” his 2026 collaboration with Keith Urban.

“La Grange” provided the fitting finale to the celebration. The ZZ Top classic about a different Texas town brought the night to a close as Gibbons’ final guitar riff rang out and a cascade of bubbles filled ACL Live.

Watch ZZ Top end night two in Austin with “La Grange” below:

ZZ Top’s The Big One! Tour continues through November. The band has yet to reveal whether Monahan is Beard’s permanent replacement.