ZZ Top Play First Show Since Death Of Drummer Frank Beard

ZZ Top has returned to the stage following the death of drummer Frank Beard.

On Saturday (August 22), the blues-rock band played their first show since Beard's death at the Austin's Moody Theatre, “one of Frank’s favorite venues and in a city that had been something of a second home for him,” according to a previous press statement.

The longtime drummer, died on August 17 at the age of 77. A press release from longtime band publicist Bob Merlis confirmed Beard's passing stating that he was “in hospice care when he passed away at his ranch in Richmond, TX with family members at his side.”

Following Beard's death, ZZ Top cancelled two tour dates in Salt Lake City and Colorado Springs .

The band returned to the stage on the 22nd with Michael Monahan stepping in to play drums. In recent years Monahan and John Douglas had been filling in for Beard as he dealt with health struggles.

Billy Gibbons, the band's frontman, addressed the death of his bandmate during the groups introduction after the first song, according to a recent report in Ultimate Classic Rock.

Speaking on Monahan, Gibbons said: “I guess some of you probably know there’s a new man in town. In fact, it all started a little while back. [Bassist 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 [Monahan] to take over?’ I said, ‘Oh yeah, yeah, he’s been doing pretty good.’ Frank said, ‘Yeah, that’s what worries me.'"