ZZ Top Drummer Frank Beard To Stop Touring Because Of Health Concerns

ZZ Top’s longtime drummer, Frank Beard, is taking a temporary break from the band’s tour to focus on an undisclosed health issue. The band’s management released a statement on Saturday, confirming that Beard is looking forward to a speedy recovery.

A Familiar Face Behind the Kit

While Beard takes time off, John Douglas, a longtime tech team member and fellow Texan, will step in as the band’s temporary drummer. Douglas is no stranger to ZZ Top—he previously filled in for Beard back in 2002 when the drummer had an emergency appendectomy during their European tour.

Beard was notably absent at the band’s Friday night concert in St. Augustine, Florida, according to SetList.fm. Despite his temporary departure, ZZ Top continues to roll on, ensuring that fans still get the high-energy blues-rock experience they expect.

ZZ Top’s Tour Rolls On

The band—now consisting of Billy Gibbons (vocals/guitar) and Elwood Francis (bass) following Dusty Hill’s passing in 2021—is still keeping their North American tour on track. They are scheduled to perform at Orlando’s Seven Seas Food Festival on Sunday night.

ZZ Top’s tour will wrap up in April before heading to Australia and New Zealand, with more North American dates set for June. Fans are wishing Beard a speedy recovery and looking forward to seeing him back behind the drums soon.

Check out ZZ Top’s 2025 Elevation tour dates and venues below:

3/16/2025 – Seven Seas Food Festival @ Orlando, FL
3/18/2025 – Anderson Music Hall @ Hiawassee, GA
3/19/2025 – North Charleston Performing Arts Center @ North Charleston, SC
3/21/2025 – Crown Theatre @ Fayetteville, NC
3/22/2025 – Bell Auditorium @ Augusta, GA
3/23/2025 – Montgomery Performing Arts Centre @ Montgomery, AL
3/26/2025 – John Hunt Auditorium @ Tifton, GA
3/28/2025 – SKyPAC @ Bowling Green, KY
4/1/2025 – Brown County Music Center @ Nashville, IN
4/2/2025 – Blue Gate Performing Arts Center @ Shipshewana, IN
4/3/2025 – FIM Capitol Theatre @ Flint, MI
4/5/2025 – State Farm Center @ Champaign, IL
4/6/2025 – The Riverside Theatre @ Milwaukee, WI
4/8/2025 – Andrew J Brady Music Center @ Cincinnati, OH
4/11/2025 – Show Me Center @ Cape Girardeau, MO
4/12/2025 – East Arkansas Community College @ Forrest City, AR