What happened to ZZ Top's drummer? Frank Beard rejoins band for 2025 North American tour

The rock trio ZZ Top is set to reunite this summer, with longtime drummer Frank Beard officially rejoining the band for their 2025 Elevation Tour throughout North America. Frank Beard is back after a break of over two months due to reported foot and ankle issues. The tour will commence on June 1, 2025, in Victoria, British Columbia.

Frank Beard has been a staple of ZZ Top since 1969. He stepped away from the band in March 2025 to focus on his recovery. During his absence, percussionist John Douglas filled in for performances in Australia and New Zealand.

The band revealed that the health issue required Beard’s attention at the time. They have confirmed that the issue involved lower leg problems, which have since been treated, allowing the 75-year-old to return to the road.

In a press statement, ZZ Top's singer and guitarist, Billy Gibbons, said:

"We are happy that Frank is back with [bassist] Elwood [Francis] and yours truly, BFG. We missed him and are looking forward to turning it up and rocking out with him as has been the case for the last few hundred or so decades. His complete recovery is cause for celebration and that is just what we intend to do on an open-ended basis. Welcome back, partner!"

In March 2025, ZZ Top released an official statement regarding drummer Frank Beard’s hiatus. Their official X (formerly Twitter) post stated:

"FRANK BEARD TAKING TIME OFF ZZ TOP'S ELEVATION TOUR FOR HEALTH PROCEDURE. Shelter Music Group, ZZ Top's management, has announced the band's drummer, Mr. Frank Beard, has temporarily stepped away from the current tour to attend a health issue requiring his focus in the near term."

It continued:

"Beard, along with fellow ZZ Top members Billy F Gibbons and Elwood Francis, presently on the Elevation tour since March 5, have engaged fellow Texan and longtime tech member, percussionist and drummer, John Douglas, for the interim. Mr. Douglas has maintained a close relationship with Beard and the bandmates, having served with the group in the past."

The statement concluded, stating:

"[Douglas actually filled in when Frank underwent an emergency appendectomy in Paris, back in 2002]. He is looking forward to a speedy recovery."

ZZ Top was formed in 1969 in Houston, Texas. Along with guitarist and frontman Billy F. Gibbons, Frank Beard helped shape the band's signature sound over five decades. Some of their beloved albums include Tres Hombres and Eliminator.

Complete list of dates and venues for ZZ Top’s tour

ZZ Top’s Elevation Tour features 51 stops from June to October, covering a variety of casinos, amphitheaters, and festivals across Canada and the U.S.

The confirmed dates and locations for the band’s run are as follows:

• Saturday, June 1, 2025 – Victoria, BC @ Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre
• Monday, June 3, 2025 – Kelowna, BC @ Prospera Place
• Tuesday, June 4, 2025 – Tsuut’ina AB@ Grey Eagle Resort and Casino
• Thursday, June 6, 2025 – Enoch, AB @ River Cree Resort & Casino
• Friday, June 7, 2025 – Saskatoon, SK @ SaskTel Centre
• Saturday, June 8, 2025 – Winnipeg, MB @ Canada Life Centre
• Tuesday, June 10, 2025 – Moorhead, MN @ Bluestone Amphitheater
• Thursday, June 12, 2025 – Waite Park, MN @ The Ledge – Waite Park Amphitheater
• Friday, June 13, 2025 – Carlton, MN @ Black Bear Casino Resort
• Saturday, June 14, 2025 – Davenport, IA @ Rhythm City Casino
• Wednesday, June 18, 2025 – Windsor, ON @ Caesars Windsor – The Colosseum
• Friday, June 20, 2025 – Pickering, ON @ Pickering Casino Resort
• Saturday, June 21, 2025 – Toronto, ON @ Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto
• Sunday, June 22, 2025 – Hamilton, ON @ FirstOntario Centre
• Wednesday, June 25, 2025 – Laval, QC @ Place Bell
• Thursday, June 26, 2025 – Québec, QC @ Agora Du Port De Québec
• Friday, June 27, 2025 – Moncton, NB @ Casino New Brunswick – The Centre
• Friday, August 1, 2025 – Sturgis, SD @ Sturgis Motorcycle Rally (Buffalo Chip Campground)
• Saturday, August 2, 2025 – Sioux City, IA @ Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
• Monday, August 4, 2025 – Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre
• Wednesday, August 6, 2025 – Salina, KS @ Stiefel Theatre for the Performing Arts
• Thursday, August 7, 2025 – Washington, MO @ Washington Town & Country Fair
• Friday, August 8, 2025 – Arcadia, WI @ Ashley For The Arts
• Sunday, August 10, 2025 – Lincoln, NE @ Pinewood Bowl Amphitheater
• Wednesday, August 13, 2025 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Red Butte Garden
• Thursday, August 14, 2025 – Pocatello, ID @ Portneuf Health Trust Amphitheatre
• Sunday, August 17, 2025 – Eugene, OR @ Cuthbert Amphitheatre
• Friday, August 22, 2025 – Coquitlam, BC @ Great Canadian Casino Vancouver
• Saturday, August 23, 2025 – Richmond, BC @ River Rock Casino Resort
• Sunday, August 24, 2025 – Auburn, WA @ Muckleshoot Casino Resort
• Tuesday, August 26, 2025 – Troutdale, OR @ Edgefield Amphitheater
• Thursday, August 28, 2025 – Saratoga, CA @ The Mountain Winery
• Friday, August 29, 2025 – Murphys, CA @ Ironstone Amphitheater
• Saturday, August 30, 2025 – Costa Mesa, CA @ OC Fair & Event Center
• Wednesday, September 3, 2025 – Midland, TX @ Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center
• Sunday, September 7, 2025 – Tuscaloosa, AL @ Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater
• Thursday, September 11, 2025 – Selbyville, DE @ Freeman Arts Pavilion
• Saturday, September 13, 2025 – Asbury Park, NJ @ Sea.Hear.Now Festival
• Wednesday, September 17, 2025 – New York, NY @ Beacon Theatre
• Friday, September 19, 2025 – Danville, VA @ Caesars Virginia
• Sunday, September 21, 2025 – Bethlehem, PA @ Wind Creek Bethlehem
• Tuesday, September 23, 2025 – Binghamton, NY @ Visions Memorial Arena
• Wednesday, September 24, 2025 – Albany, NY @ Palace Theatre – Albany
• Friday, September 26, 2025 – Providence, RI @ Veterans Memorial Auditorium
• Saturday, September 27, 2025 – Hampton, NH @ Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
• Sunday, September 28, 2025 – West Springfield, MA @ The Big E Arena
• Thursday, October 2, 2025 – Barco, NC @ Morris Farm
• Friday, October 3, 2025 – Winsboro, SC @ Field & Stream Music Fest
• Sunday, October 5, 2025 – Athens, GA @ The Classic Center
• Tuesday, October 7, 2025 – Knoxville, TN @ The Tennessee Theatre
• Thursday, October 9, 2025 – Northfield, OH @ MGM Northfield Park – Center Stage

Tickets for most dates are available now via the official ZZ Top website and authorized ticketing platforms.

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