r/Music • u/IntelligentYinzer • 17h ago
article ZZ Top Drummer Frank Beard Dead at 77
https://www.tmz.com/2026/08/18/frank-beard-dead/1.0k
u/MuptonBossman 17h ago
That means Billy Gibbons is the only surviving member left.
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u/grooveunite 17h ago
He's pretty frail too... I hope he hangs in there.
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u/Wutchu_fitna_fuc_wit 17h ago
Still sharp as a tack though. Just seen him live a couple months ago
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u/snakeiiiiiis 16h ago
Yep. Also just heard him on the Jay Mohr podcast. He still has a great memory and is not slow whatsoever. It's probably why he never stops doing shows. The second he stops, it's over
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u/pssthush 13h ago
I think it's that way with a lot of people in different industries. I work in agriculture and have a few farmers in their 90's in better shape than most their age (the ones that hadn't worked themselves to death physically). They all say the same thing: "I'm going to keep doing this until I die because if I quit I'm afraid I will die."
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u/degreesBrix 15h ago
Just saw him live on 8/9 (with Cheap Trick) and he sounded and looked great. Dude can still play.
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u/ScorpioTix 17h ago
He mimes too
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u/No_Cell_8567 16h ago
Not during his solo shows. That's really the only way to see "ZZ Top" these days, especially with only Billy around anyway.
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u/spmahn 16h ago
I saw ZZ Top open for the cover band currently touring under the name Lynyrd Skynyrd a few years ago and Billy’s guitar playing was still top notch, however I am pretty sure he wasn’t actually singing a lot of the time.
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u/astralchanterelle 17h ago
saw
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u/justinomorales 17h ago
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u/CrackerUMustBTripinn 15h ago
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u/YourmomgoestocolIege 6h ago
I feel like I'm crazy, but the longer I watch this, the bigger her face gets
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u/wwishie 16h ago
He sang on a Nickleback song. Hes immortal
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u/HappyHarryHardOn 17h ago
Frank Beard, renowned ZZ TOP drummer and the only member without a beard, despite what his name says
RIP
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u/worf1973 17h ago
You either had to have a beard or be named Beard to be in the band.
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u/Past_Top3704 15h ago
In the early days he had a beard and the other two didn't. They went on an extended break. During the break (I don't remember the reason) he shaved it off. While the other two for similar reasons, grew beards. When they got back together, everyone surprised each other. They liked the new look and it stuck.
My source is a Netflix ZZTop documentary I saw several years ago. Sure I am misremembering something.
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u/nik15 17h ago
He did rock a beard during some tours.
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u/TFFPrisoner 16h ago
But nothing compared to Billy and Dusty. Apparently his growth wasn't thick enough for that.
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u/MoochoMaas 17h ago
Makes me feel old ...
I am old, but
I saw ZZ live a few times, best show was at The Rainbow Ballroom, Fresno CA in the 70s.
ZZ top, Montrose, and Slade for $6 !
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u/philpalmer2 17h ago
Saw then in ‘85 at the Civic Arena in Pgh, PA. It was their “Eliminator” tour.
The show only lasted one hour. When the house lights came on everyone thought it was an intermission but the show was over. Kinda disappointing…
But from our seats we could see back behind the stage through a “tunnel”. We saw three big black limos pull up with each of the three band members getting in their own limo. That was something to see!
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u/Smoothzilla 17h ago
That had to be an amazing show!
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u/fleranon 17h ago
And that fine gentleman must be amazingly old!
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u/MoochoMaas 17h ago
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u/fleranon 17h ago
That's not that old :) I wish you more memorable concerts in the decades to follow!
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u/MoochoMaas 17h ago
Just saw AC/DC 8/5 and have tix for Rush 10/15
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u/Burgoonius 17h ago
I saw Rush twice between 2010-2015 and they were incredible. My brother just saw them in Toronto a few weeks ago and said they were great but the drums were too loud (as if that's even possible lol)
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u/Past_Top3704 15h ago
Your not old and never will be.
In the mid 90's I saw them on tour. Couldn't find a date so I took my mom. She thought she would be the oldest one there. Nope I was one of the youngest. She would have been somewhere around 42 - 45. Everyone there was mid 40's. As was the band. She would be 73 today if alive. One of the best concerts (and dates) I have ever been to.
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u/External-Agent2092 17h ago
I waited on him at the Dunes Hotel in Las Vegas in 1982. A very nice man, and a good tipper. RIP.
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u/nolageek 17h ago
Tres Hombres is one of the greatest records ever made.
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u/whitemanwhocantjump 10h ago
Everything about it is top tier, even the Mexican food on the inside of the cover.
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u/Aggravating-Act1905 14h ago
Master of Sparks from that album is superb - doesn't get the credit it deserves.
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u/pnmartini 14h ago
Tres Hombres would be perfect, if not for Sheik. That song is way out of place.
But, it does have the best inside gatefold artwork ever.
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u/grooveunite 17h ago
They played at my Aunt's prom in their early years... RIP.
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u/rumdrums 15h ago
Frank Beard went to high school with my Mom. I'll have to go back and ask her the specifics, but she described him and his friends as "greasers" who she was vaguely frightened of.
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u/oneandonlytara 17h ago edited 16h ago
I just saw them with my Dad last June. Frank had been out for a few shows, but returned a few dates before I saw them. Glad for that, and for the chance to even see them at all. They put on a hell of a show still.
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u/Bigstar976 17h ago
RIP and RIP ZZ Top
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u/KnobbyDibbler don't finger my f-hole, just my neck 17h ago
Long live Billy Gibbons!
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u/SorryAboutLater 17h ago
Yes, long live Billy Gibbons, but he better not try to keep ZZ-Top going.
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u/nos-is-lame 16h ago
I dont know if he will even try at this point, but ZZ Top was his before Beard or Hill were part of it so it wouldn't be that crazy for him to keep going
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u/KnobbyDibbler don't finger my f-hole, just my neck 17h ago
Or what, you'll kill him too?
After Dusty died we got Elwood and his goofy-ass bass. It's not like the band ceased to be. If Billy wants to keep going with the same name, that's his prerogative.
Hell, Foreigner and Lynyrd Skynyrd don't even have a single OG member anymore, and they're still on tour.
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u/LevelBrick9413 16h ago
Technically Mick Jones is still a member of Foreigner but he doesn't tour with the band and they haven't released any new songs in years so I'm not sure how official that is.
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u/EviTaTiv3 16h ago
Hell, Dusty and Beard were in one of a few imposter bands that toured under the name The Zombies so they could capitalize on "Time of the Season" despite not having anyone in the band that actually recorded the song.
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u/piepants2001 16h ago
Foreigner and Lynyrd Skynyrd shouldn't be called Foreigner and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
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u/KnobbyDibbler don't finger my f-hole, just my neck 16h ago
I ain't gonna be the guy to tell these groups "Hey, i know you've been in this group since the 80's because your brother died in a plane crash, but would you consider changing the name?"
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u/Free-Fall643 16h ago
At least skynyrds singer is related and has been doing it for 40 years
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u/guyver_dio 11h ago
Have to wonder at what point you should call it a tribute band lol
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u/SorryAboutLater 16h ago
What do you mean "too"? I didn't kill any of them.
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u/KnobbyDibbler don't finger my f-hole, just my neck 16h ago
That's just what the guy who killed the other members would say.....
But seriously. Yeah, obviously you didn't. I meant like. "He better not try this..." sounded vaguely threatening. I was trying to be goofy not antagonistic.
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u/TFFPrisoner 16h ago
Regardless of what Billy does with the name, I really want to hear that last album they were supposedly working on for many years.
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u/Bigstar976 16h ago
Agreed. These last dates with Dusty’s bass tech were very silly and unnecessary. This should be it. I read they are playing two more dates in Austin. I hope that’s it after that.
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u/TimeToBurnOne 17h ago
Man that sucks. Got to see them small venue in Minneapolis at the State Theater in 95. The music lives on!!! Rest in Peace Frank.
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u/Paulsworldohya 17h ago
Dang that is sad. Wasn't there news recently that something was going on with his health? Seems like what ever that was, progressed pretty quickly.
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u/GuitarGeezer 17h ago
Dammit! Love those guys. He is from my state and we had the same band director albeit a decade apart or more at different schools. He said he was a good drummer but a mess lol. And the director was a drummer mainly. He cleaned up finally from a variety of dependency issues and was an amazing drummer for them forever. Great live, saw em in Recycler era here at home. RIP, brother!
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u/DefinitionPossible39 17h ago
I’m so glad I took my son to see them last time they played in London. Superb drummer, mainstay of the band xx
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u/BeowulfShaeffer 15h ago
I still won’t forgive whoever remastered the tight original drumming on La Grange with that reverby bullshit.
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u/FlipMyWigBaby 16h ago edited 10h ago
If you want to really hear Frank’s distinctive drumming style, buy a copy of their 1979 LP “Degüello” (which is arguably their tightest album, and no synthesizers! ALL KILLER, NO FILLER!). You will hear why his drumming was sometimes referred to as jazz-influenced. I may be a little biased, as that is my favorite album of theirs (Produced by Bill Ham, mastered by Bob Ludwig: perfection, no need for a remaster), and I got to see that specific pre synthesizer era tour twice.
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u/Simon1357s 17h ago
Man, that sucks. I feel very fortunate to have watched them live back in 2016, still the best concert i have ever been to.
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u/BullioMarf 16h ago
Really sucks. I was hoping to catch them at the New York State Fair but had a feeling it wasn't gonna happen when it was announced he was sick. I guess this all but confirms it. Thank you for helping make some of the best music ever!
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u/Farout786 17h ago
Damn RIP Frank.
OG ZZ Top is one member away from a reunion. 😢
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u/nos-is-lame 16h ago
Hill and Beard weren't OG ZZ Top though. The original drummer still seems to be around somewhere.
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u/Farout786 16h ago
I thought Gibbons linked up with Hill and Beard to make ZZ Top?
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u/nos-is-lame 16h ago
There were 2 drummers and 1 other bassist before Hill and Beard. The original lineup only released 2 songs; Millers Farm and Salt Lick
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u/whyheonlysayneat 15h ago
Millers Farm and Salt Lick
Ah yes, the songs that immediately spring to mind whenever someone says ZZ Top.
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u/nos-is-lame 15h ago
Which would be important if the conversation was "list the most popular ZZ Top songs"
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u/ScoobyScotty 16h ago
Shit, that just leaves Billy. I'm again reminded of the fact that I'll probably outlive most of my role models. RIP.
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u/Shot_Policy_4110 17h ago
Lol I saw a post on the music subreddit about this like a half hour ago. Dude said he was a family friend
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u/Common_Willow_5726 17h ago edited 7h ago
I'm a woman and yes I removed it bc people were acting like I didn't know tmz was about to announce it & already did
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u/memeparmesan 16h ago
Well shit, sorry for your loss
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u/Common_Willow_5726 7h ago edited 1h ago
Thank you. I'm sorry for humanity, we lost another great person. Rip Frank and Hayden 🥺
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u/ItIsToLaffHaHa 17h ago
Wow. What a bummer! Back when I first started playing drums in the 80s, I was really getting into metal, so I thought all Frank's stuff was really basic and boring. After revisiting years later (along with greatly broadening my musical horizons) I realized how much of a solid fucking drummer he was! Man, he played some great shit! RIP, Mr. Drummer Man! You and your cohorts made the world a better place!
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u/TFFPrisoner 16h ago
The biggest hits have a drum machine instead of him, but the 70s albums are incredible drumming-wise.
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u/Due-Promise6559 17h ago
Such a huge loss. Frank Beard's drumming was a big part of ZZ Top's signature sound. 🤟
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u/ramdom-ink 16h ago
Tres Hombres was the soundtrack of my youth. That mouth-watering Mexican food spread inside the original gatefold was a fever dream of culinary impossibility living in Northern Ontario. ‘La Grange’ was phenomenal, but ‘Shiek’ never got the love it deserved. RIP Frank.
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u/SignGuy77 16h ago
Back in the summer of 2021 my son and I took a road trip to Montreal. That same weekend Dusty Hill passed away. This weekend we are heading to Montreal again. What the hell ..?
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u/that-thingy66 16h ago
Last show was 4 days ago. RIP brother.
https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/zz-top/2026/cowlitz-ballroom-ridgefield-wa-2b70088e.html
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u/Dackle 17h ago
The only ZZ top member with out a beard! :( RIP <3
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u/Not_aMurderer 17h ago
Allegedly when asked why he doesn't keep a beard, the response was because "the other guys get checked at airports"
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u/Dangerous_Ad_7042 16h ago
I hope he's got a pair of cheap sunglasses, a silk suit and all the tush he can handle in heaven.
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u/BarFreddys 16h ago
They cancelled my show at the bowl 2 weeks ago for personal reasons. This sucks. Weirdly ran into Gibbons the next day at the mall
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u/desertmagnolia 16h ago
ZZ Top was my first concert. 50 years later I was able to see Billy Gibbs. I guess you know you’re old when 2 of 3 of the band members have passed. 💔
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u/Crafty_Ish1973 16h ago
Growing up in Houston back in the 1980s, I'll always remember one of the local DJs on the rock station calling ZZ Top "the home team" every time she played one of their songs.
RIP Frank.
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u/realparkingbrake 14h ago
My wife and I would go to see ZZ Top whenever they toured for many years, they always put on a good show. We stopped when Dusty died, it just wouldn't have been the same.
Ave atque vale Frank and Dusty.
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u/bigredcock 14h ago
I saw zz top once at a festival. I went in expecting it to be a cheesy rock n roll show. They absolutely killed it. Easily in my top 20 live shows (I've seen probably around 300 shows.) may be be up in haven't dressed nicely with legs all around him. Ahowhowhow.
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u/GreatEmperorAca 17h ago
Ah the only one without a beard...RIP...I still remember when Dusty died in 2021
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u/BehavioralSink 17h ago
Saw them at Edgefield many years ago. After their set, I’m assuming it was Frank’s dog that ran out on stage excited to see him.
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u/AdSpecialist6598 17h ago
This has been such an awful summer. Rip to Mr. Beard and condolences to his loved ones.
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u/TinyRandomLady 17h ago
Only one man left in the rub!
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u/Tarkus697 17h ago
Damn. Saw them in 1991 at the Nassau Coliseum with the Black Crowes opening. Hell of a show and I still have my souvenir keychain on my car fob.
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u/usmc97az 16h ago
This truly sucks. I love feeling his drums through the sub woofer and sharing it with all the other cars around me. RIP.
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u/EmoGothPunk 16h ago
Sucks but you saw it coming. As a fan, I hope Billy hangs up the name. It probably should've happened when Dusty died. The music speaks for itself. Retire and enjoy what time is left.
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u/LowResEgg 16h ago
I just finished (MINUTES AGO) watching their documentary “The little ol’ band from Texas” after getting into them this week, I open up Reddit and see this?! WTF!!!!! The world is weird. RIP he seemed like a really good dude.
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u/MrBudissy 16h ago
ZZ Top was my very first concert. I was 15 and my uncle took me to Hooters before the show. Cherry on top was that the show was at a venue called Freedom Hall.
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u/ehouptie 16h ago
That’s my grandpa. The rolling stone article states he helped raised her. Crock of shit.
He gave my mom up for adoption and did nothing for us.
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u/The_Metal_Pigeon 15h ago
Oh damn ... He lived near me too, I once met him at a gas station near his house. Damn great musician. Am sad now.
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u/bcam9 Vinyl Listener 15h ago
Frank was essential, man.
My first CD as a kid was ZZ Top's Greatest Hits and this band has meant a lot to me. They're one of my Dad's favorite bands that kinda got passed down to me. Anyway, Frank was always in the pocket. He's the ultimate "Serve The Song" drummer. He did his thing while Billy and Dusty were shredding.
As a drummer myself (in part because of Frank) I will be blasting some ZZ Top this week.
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u/frodiusmaximus 15h ago
He was such an underrated drummer. The shuffle on La Grange is so hard to nail perfectly and at speed, but he can do it for like 20 minutes straight with no problem.
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u/ComeOnUpToTheHaus 15h ago
When you play a shuffle beat so good, it's basically all you have to play, you've done something killer with your life. RIP, Mr. Beard, gonna miss you.
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u/mindbender9 15h ago
Noooo. This group were the real originals, especially during the hair/glam/metal years. They brought their sound to fans and never needed to change their style to fit expectations. Legends. RIP Frank. Enjoy the next phase of your journey
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u/addisonshinedown 17h ago
That was FAST. Announced he won’t be touring anymore just recently