News
Frank Beard, the drummer for legendary Houston rock band ZZ Top, dies at 77
Summary by The Austin Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Kyle McClenagan , KUT News
· August 18, 2026
· 1 min read
Despite his death, the band will play at ACL Live this weekend. The band said it was one of his "favorite venues and in a city that had been something of a second home for him."
Key takeaway The band said it was one of his "favorite venues and in a city that had been something of a second home for him.
Why this matters in The Austin
The passing of Frank Beard, ZZ Top's drummer, resonates deeply in Austin, where the band has a long history of performances. This weekend's show at ACL Live, despite the circumstances, will undoubtedly be a poignant tribute to Beard's legacy. As a city that has welcomed ZZ Top with open arms over the years, Austin's music scene will likely come together to celebrate the drummer's contributions to rock music. The fact that ACL Live was one of Beard's favorite venues speaks to the strong connection he felt with the city and its vibrant music community. As the band takes the stage, fans will not only be mourning the loss of a music legend but also honoring the special bond between ZZ Top and Austin, a city that has been a second home to the band for decades.
About this story
Original reporting by KUT News . The Austin selects stories from publishers’ feeds, summarises them, and links back to the publisher that reported them. We add no reporting of our own. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KUT News . Have a tip or correction? Contact the editor .
Category: News ·
Published: August 18, 2026 ·
Source: KUT News ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Despite his death, the band will play at ACL Live this weekend. The band said it was one of his "favorite venues and in a city that had been something of a second home for him."
When was this published? This article was first published on August 18, 2026 by KUT News and curated for The Austin readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Kyle McClenagan at KUT News. To learn more about how The Austin selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more News coverage from The Austin, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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