ZZ Top returned to the stage at ACL Live at The Moody Theater in Austin, Texas, on August 23, 2026, for their first concert since longtime drummer Frank Beard’s death. Billy Gibbons introduced Michael Monahan as the band’s new drummer and revealed that Beard himself had previously asked for Monahan to take over behind the kit.
Frank Beard died on August 17, 2026, at age 77 while in hospice care at his ranch in Richmond, Texas. No public cause of death was disclosed. Beard was ZZ Top’s drummer for 56 years and one of the band’s core members, keeping time on signature songs such as “Sharp Dressed Man,” “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” and “Legs.”
Michael Monahan had been ZZ Top’s drum tech before stepping in as the band’s drummer. He had already been filling in for Beard earlier in the tour because of health issues, moving from behind the scenes to the kit after Beard temporarily stepped away.
Billy Gibbons told the crowd: “I guess some of you probably know there’s a new man in town. In fact, it all started a little while back. Elwood [Francis, bassist] 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 to take over?’ I said, ‘Oh yeah, yeah, he’s been doing pretty good.’ Frank said, ‘Yeah, that’s what worries me.’”
“But we’re all here for a celebration. So y’all have a good time!”
The band played a career-spanning set that included “Got Me Under Pressure,” “Sharp Dressed Man,” “Legs,” and “La Grange,” marking an emotional return as the group’s first performance following Beard’s passing.
