ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard is reportedly dealing with serious health issues, a development that has led the band to cancel scheduled tour dates.
The band first addressed the situation after abruptly canceling their August 5 performance at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, without initially disclosing a specific reason. Guitarist Billy F Gibbons later shared a statement on ZZ Top’s Instagram page addressing the cancellation.
“Insurmountable obstacles require canceling our Hollywood Bowl performance,” Gibbons said. “Friends, fans and followers of ZZ Top are the best in the business and the band is counting on everyone to bear with us for this brief interruption.”
Additional details about Beard’s condition emerged following the cancellation, pointing to serious health issues.
“Frank Beard, the longtime drummer of the rock band ZZ Top, is dealing with serious health issues and it’s so bad it’s affecting their tour,” the report states. “The health update comes just days after ZZ Top cancelled their August 5 show at the Hollywood Bowl. Sources tell TMZ Frank’s health was the reason behind the cancellation.”
This is not the first time Beard’s health has forced changes to ZZ Top’s touring plans. The drummer stepped away from the band’s 2025 tour for two months to address a health issue at the time. John Douglas filled in on drums during his absence. Beard eventually returned to the road, crediting his medical team for getting him back behind the kit.
“The doctors did what they did so now I’m able to do what I do,” Beard said upon rejoining the band last year.
This time around, drummer Michael Monahan has stepped in for Beard. The band pressed forward with its tour schedule, performing without Beard on August 9 in Saratoga, California, just days after the Hollywood Bowl cancellation.
ZZ Top’s next scheduled stop is set for August 12 in Redmond, Washington. It remains unclear whether Beard will be well enough to rejoin the band by then, or whether Monahan will continue filling in on drums.
Neither Beard nor representatives for ZZ Top have released further details on the extent of his health issues or a timeline for his potential return to the tour.
