Frank Beard’s health issues led to ZZ Top concert cancellation

Rolling Stone reports that ZZ Top‘s Hollywood Bowl performance last week was cancelled due to long-time drummer Frank Beard’s health issues, as per Blabbermouth. According to a ZZ Top representative who talked to Rolling Stone, drummer Michael Monahan will take Beard’s place while guitarist/vocalist Billy Gibbons and bassist Elwood Francis continue to perform live. Beard “temporarily stepped away” from ZZ Top‘s tour due to an unidentified “health issue” almost a year and a half ago. John Douglas, a drummer, percussionist, and fellow Texan and long-time tech member, filled in for Beard. John had previously held the role back in 2002 when Frank had an urgent appendectomy.

Beard has played on every album released by ZZ Top, beginning with “ZZ Top’s First Album” in 1971, and has been a part of the group for more than 55 years. When ZZ Top initially began, Beard went by the moniker “Rube.” He was listed under his true name on “Rio Grande Mud,” the band’s second album, but he was billed as “Rube Beard” on the first album and “Tres Hombres,” the band’s third album. He was listed as “Frank Beard” on all of the band’s albums following “Tres Hombres”. Ironically, Beard is the only member of ZZ Top without a beard; he typically sports just a moustache, but he did have a neat beard for a while in the 1990s.

Frank owns and runs the Top 40 Ranch in Richmond, Texas, where he currently resides. He plays scratch golf and is well-known in the area for his involvement in competitions and neighbourhood gatherings.

Upcoming shows:

• Monday, November 9, 2026 – Guadalajara, Mexico – Telmex Auditorium
• Wednesday, November 11, 2026 – Ciudad de México, Mexico – Auditorio Nacional
• Thursday, November 12, 2026 – Monterrey, Mexico – Banamex Auditorium
• Monday, November 16, 2026 – Santiago, Chile
• Wednesday, November 18, 2026 – Porto Alegre, Brazil – Pepsi On Stage
• Friday, November 20, 2026 – Curitiba, Brazil – Igloo Super Hall
• Saturday, November 21, 2026 – São Paulo, Brazil – Espaço Unimed
• Tuesday, November 24, 2026 – Buenos Aires, Argentina