Frank Beard Exits ZZ Top Tour Due To Health Procedure

ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard has been sidelined from touring while dealing with an undisclosed “health issue.” The band’s longtime crew member, drummer/percussionist John Douglas, will fill in for Beard.

Douglas previously played drums for ZZ Top while Beard recovered from an emergency appendectomy in Paris in 2002. ZZ Top began their current Elevation Tour earlier this month and have shows scheduled through the summer. While Beards is “looking forward to a speedy recovery,” a timeline for his return was not confirmed.

ZZ Top members Billy F Gibbons and Elwood Francis will perform their next concert tomorrow, Tuesday, March 18 at Anderson Music Hall in Hiawassee, Georgia.

Read the official statement shared by ZZ Top regarding Frank Beard below:

Shelter Music Group, ZZ Top’s management, has announced the band’s drummer, Mr. Frank Beard, has temporarily stepped away from the current tour to attend a health issue requiring his focus in the near term.

Beard, along with fellow ZZ Top members Billy F Gibbons and Elwood Francis, presently on the Elevation tour since March 5, have engaged fellow Texan and longtime tech member, percussionist and drummer, John Douglas, for the interim.

Mr. Douglas has maintained a close relationship with Beard and the bandmates, having served with the group in the past. [Douglas actually filled in when Frank underwent an emergency appendectomy in Paris, back in 2002].

He is looking forward to a speedy recovery.