Frank Beard, longtime drummer of American blues-rock group ZZ Top, has died aged 77, the band and its publicist announced on Tuesday.
Beard, whose beats drove hits including "La Grange" and "Sharp Dressed Man", stepped back from touring last year over health issues.
Lead singer Billy Gibbons paid tribute to Beard as a "great friend and collaborator".
"The world lost one of the most naturally innovative drummers and a great and true son of Texas", Gibbons said in a statement. "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" he added.
Beard died while receiving hospice care at his ranch in Richmond, Texas, surrounded by family, band representative Bob Merlis said.
Born in Frankston, Texas, in 1949, Beard joined ZZ Top in 1969. He remained with the trio as its music evolved from heavy blues to experimental synthesizers in the 1980s.
The group also gained fame for music videos, including (Gimme All Your Lovin'), winning three MTV Video Music Awards.
ZZ Top's original bassist, Dusty Hill, died in 2021.
The band, now comprising Gibbons, bassist Elwood Francis and touring drummer Michael Monahan, canceled dates in Salt Lake City and Colorado Springs following Beard's death.
However, it said it would resume shows this weekend at Austin City Limits in Texas, which it described as "one of Frank's favourite venues" in a city that had become a second home to him. — AFP
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