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Longtime ZZ Top<\/a> drummer Frank Beard<\/a> is stepping away from the band\u2019s current tour due to a health issue, according to a recent statement from the group. Beard\u2019s replacement has been announced as well.<\/p>\n Yesterday (March 15), the legendary blues\/boogie\/Southern rock\u00a0troupe posted the following statement to social media:<\/p>\n FRANK BREAD TAKING TIME OFF ZZ TOP\u2019S ELEVATION TOUR FOR HEALTH PROCEDURE<\/p>\n Shelter Music Group, ZZ Top\u2019s management, has announced the band\u2019s drummer, Mr. Frank Beard, has temporarily stepped away from the current tour to attend to a health issue requiring his focus in the near term.<\/p>\n Beard, along with fellow ZZ Top members Billy F Gibbons<\/a> and Elwood Francis<\/a>, presently on the Elevation tour since March 5, have engaged fellow Texan and longtime tech member, percussionist and drummer, John Douglas, for the interim.<\/p>\n Mr. Douglas has maintained a close relationship with Beard and the bandmates, having served with the group in the past.<\/p>\n [Douglas actually filled in when Frank underwent an emergency appendectomy in Paris, back in 2002].<\/p>\n He is looking forward to a speedy recovery.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n You can see the band\u2019s post below, too:<\/p>\n READ MORE: Every Rock Artist That Has Played the Super Bowl Halftime Show<\/a><\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n The news was met with disappointment and some criticism from fans (due to ZZ Top continuing the tour without Beard). That said, most people are showing widespread understanding and support.<\/p>\n For instance, someone on Instagram replied<\/a>: \u201cWe love ZZ Top mo matter what and get well Frank!\u201d Elsewhere, a user on X stated<\/a>: \u201cI\u2019m sure the drum tech is an amazing drummer. You don\u2019t get that far, being a professional drummer\u2019s technician without a love for the instrument.\u201d<\/p>\n To that last person’s point, Douglas<\/a> has spent over 30 years in the industry, having<\/a> \u201cpainted, customized and modified drums and guitars for some of the biggest bands in the world. Including Aerosmith<\/a>, Mana<\/a>, Pantera<\/a>, Damageplan<\/a>, Creed<\/a>, Alter Bridge<\/a>, Slash<\/a>, Lynyrd Skynyrd<\/a>, Kid Rock<\/a>, Van Halen<\/a>, Bon Jovi<\/a>, and ZZ Top.\u201d<\/p>\n Interestingly, he revealed<\/a> in 2023 that when he first began filling in for Aerosmith\u2019s Joey Kramer<\/a> back in 2019 (due to Kramer\u2019s shoulder injury<\/a>), he was \u201cnot prepared at all.\u201d Fortunately, though, he \u201cmade it through\u201d and did a great job. Of course, all of us at Loudwire wish Beard a quick and healthy recovery (and wish Douglas good luck on his upcoming endeavor). ZZ Top\u2019s Elevation Tour is currently underway across the U.S. and Canada, and it\u2019s set to run until the end of August. Along the way \u2013 and depending on the date \u2013 they\u2019ll be supported by The Sedonas<\/a>, \u00a0McKinley James<\/a>, George Thorogood & The Destroyers<\/a> and\/or The Wallflowers<\/a>.<\/p>\n You can view more details \u2013 including all upcoming dates \u2013 and purchase tickets here<\/a>.<\/p>\n It’s only fitting that we share with you the best rock songs of 1985 the way we did it back then …. in a mixtape playlist.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Gallery Credit: Chad Childers, Loudwire<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nZZ Top\u2019s Statement<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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ZZ Top\u2019s Elevation Tour<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Best Rock Songs of 1985 – The Mixtape<\/h2>\n