Local
ZZ Top's Austin shows will go on, serve as tribute to Frank Beard following his death
Summary by The Austin Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Abigail Jones , KXAN-NBC
· August 19, 2026
· 1 min read
Legendary Texas rock band ZZ Top lost one of its members this week. The band announced that drummer Frank Beard, who'd been part of the band for nearly 60 years, died at the age of 77 on Monday.
Key takeaway The band announced that drummer Frank Beard, who'd been part of the band for nearly 60 years, died at the age of 77 on Monday.
Why this matters in The Austin
The passing of Frank Beard is a loss for the entire Austin music community, where ZZ Top has long been a beloved fixture. As the band prepares to take the stage in Austin, their shows will undoubtedly serve as a tribute to Beard's enduring legacy. The fact that ZZ Top has chosen to continue with their scheduled performances is a testament to the band's dedication to their craft and their fans. For Austinites, the shows will be a chance to pay respects to a rock legend who has been a part of the city's musical landscape for decades. The Austin Independent School District, which serves the small incorporated city of Austin, can also take pride in the fact that its students have grown up with ZZ Top's music as a part of their local heritage. As the city comes together to celebrate Beard's life and music, it will be a poignant reminder of the significant role that ZZ Top has played in shaping Austin's vibrant music scene.
About this story
Original reporting by KXAN-NBC . 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 KXAN-NBC . Have a tip or correction? Contact the editor .
Category: Local ·
Published: August 19, 2026 ·
Source: KXAN-NBC ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Legendary Texas rock band ZZ Top lost one of its members this week. The band announced that drummer Frank Beard, who'd been part of the band for nearly 60 years, died at the age of 77 on Monday.
When was this published? This article was first published on August 19, 2026 by KXAN-NBC and curated for The Austin readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Abigail Jones at KXAN-NBC. To learn more about how The Austin selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more Local coverage from The Austin, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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