ZZ Top is back on stage after the death of beloved drummer Frank Beard.
The band, which canceled shows in Salt Lake City and Colorado Springs following Beard's death, resumed its The Big One Tour at Austin City Limits in Texas on Saturday, Aug. 22, which the band previously called "one of Frank's favorite venues and in a city that had been something of a second home for him."
Frontman Billy Gibbons, in a video from the concert shared by Ultimate Classic Rock, introduced Michael Monahan, recalling that it was Beard who initially suggested bringing the alternate drummer on back in 2025.
"I guess some of you probably know there's a new man in town. In fact, it all started a little while back. Elwood [Francis, the band's bassist] and I got an unexpected
call from our dear Frank Beard, our dear drummer for 50 years," the frontman said, eliciting cheers from the crowd.
That year, Beard needed to temporarily step away from the road for an undisclosed medical problem reportedly involving his foot and ankle.
Gibbons continued, "I've never heard him admit, he said, 'My bass drum foot's a little weak. Can you get my man [Monahan] to take over?' I said, 'Oh yeah, yeah, he's been doing pretty good.' Frank said, 'Yeah, that's what worries me,'" Gibbons added with a chuckle.
Not dwelling on the loss, he added, "We're all here for a celebration, you know what's going on. So we're going to have a good time."
ZZ Top announced Monahan would step in once again for Beard, who was "ill" at the time, just days before his death. Beard died Aug. 17 while in hospice care at his ranch in Richmond, Texas, "with family members at his side," the band's representative shared in a statement to USA TODAY.
His death leaves Gibbons, the singer-guitarist and ZZ Top founder, as the only remaining member from the band's most successful decades. Bassist-singer Dusty Hill died in 2021, with Elwood Francis taking over the role.
"Today, Elwood and I lost a great friend and collaborator, and the world lost one of the most naturally innovative drummers and a great and true son of Texas," Gibbons said of Beard in a statement. "His signature backbeat was key to keeping ZZ on top."
Contributing: Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: ZZ Top returns to stage in 'celebration' following Frank Beard's death
