Who Is Still Alive From ZZ Top? A Look at the Band’s Long History
For over 50 years, ZZ Top has been one of rock music’s most consistent and beloved groups. Guitarist Billy Gibbons, bassist Dusty Hill, and drummer Frank Beard first performed together in February 1970. They remained a trio until Hill’s death in 2021, with no changes to the lineup.
Sadly, the band is now mourning another major loss. Beard died on August 17, 2026, at the age of 77. According to the band’s publicist, he was in hospice care at his ranch in Richmond, Texas, with members of his family by his side. A cause of death was not disclosed.
Following Beard’s death, Gibbons shared a touching tribute to his longtime friend and bandmate. He called Beard a naturally innovative drummer and said, according to AL.com, “His signature backbeat was key to keeping ZZ on top.” Gibbons also confirmed that the band intends to continue, as Beard had wished.
With Hill and Beard gone, Gibbons is now the only surviving member of the classic ZZ Top lineup. Let’s look back at the band’s long history and find out who is carrying on its legacy.
Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images
How did ZZ Top get started?
Gibbons formed ZZ Top in Houston, Texas, in 1969 after his psychedelic rock group Moving Sidewalks ended. The earliest version of ZZ Top included drummer Dan Mitchell and keyboardist and bassist Lanier Greig. Billy Ethridge also played bass for a brief period. After several quick lineup changes, Beard and Hill joined Gibbons. The trio performed together for the first time at a Knights of Columbus Hall in Beaumont, Texas, on February 10, 1970, and the rest is history.
ZZ Top’s First Album arrived in 1971, followed by Rio Grande Mud in 1972. However, it was the 1973 album Tres Hombres and its unforgettable song “La Grange” that brought the band a much larger audience. Fandango! followed in 1975 and included “Tush,” which became ZZ Top’s first Top 40 single.
The group’s concerts also became increasingly elaborate. Their Worldwide Texas Tour, which ran from 1976 to 1977, featured a Texas-shaped stage as well as live animals, including a longhorn steer and a buffalo. After taking some time away from the road, Gibbons and Hill returned with the long beards that became part of ZZ Top’s signature look. Ironically, Beard was generally the only member who did not have a long beard.
ZZ Top became an MTV favorite
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ZZ Top entered a new chapter with the release of Eliminator in 1983. The album combined the band’s blues-rock sound with synthesizers and electronic elements. It featured “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” “Sharp Dressed Man,” and “Legs.” The songs became even more popular thanks to their memorable music videos, which regularly aired on MTV. The videos featured beautiful women, Gibbons’ customized 1933 Ford coupe, and the band’s now-famous beards, sunglasses and matching dance moves. Eliminator was eventually certified diamond for sales of more than 10 million copies in the United States.
The band followed it with Afterburner in 1985 and continued recording and touring throughout the following decades. They also appeared as an Old West band in the 1990 film Back to the Future Part III, performing an acoustic version of “Doubleback.” In 2004, Gibbons, Hill, and Beard were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame by Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards. Their 15th and most recent studio album, La Futura, was released in 2012.
Billy Gibbons (76)
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Gibbons, now 76, is the only surviving member of ZZ Top’s classic lineup. He founded the band and has remained its lead guitarist and primary vocalist throughout its history. Outside of ZZ Top, Gibbons has released three solo albums: Perfectamundo, The Big Bad Blues and Hardware. Television fans may also recognize him from his recurring role as Angela Montenegro’s unnamed father on Bones. After Beard’s death, Gibbons said that ZZ Top would “keep on keeping on,” honoring his bandmate’s wishes that the group continue.
Elwood Francis (64)
Elwood Francis was not part of the band’s classic recording lineup, but he is a current member of ZZ Top. Francis worked behind the scenes as the group’s longtime guitar technician before taking over on bass. He first filled in during July 2021 when Hill left the band’s tour to address a hip issue. Hill died only a few days later, and Francis remained with the group. According to Gibbons, Hill wanted Francis to take his place and encouraged ZZ Top to continue without him.
Remembering Dusty Hill
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On July 28, 2021, the band announced that Hill had died in his sleep at his home in Houston. He was 72 years old. A cause of death was not disclosed. In addition to playing bass, Hill provided backing and lead vocals and occasionally played keyboards. He sang lead on several songs, including the classic “Tush.” He had already recorded the intimate performance at Gruene Hall that was released as Raw in 2022. The album was dedicated to his memory.
Remembering Frank Beard
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Beard was born on June 11, 1949, and grew up in Irving, Texas. He played in several bands with Hill before the pair joined Gibbons in ZZ Top. Beard went on to perform on all 15 of the band’s studio albums. He had taken time away from touring because of health problems before his death. However, the specific cause of his death has not been made public.
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