Lifestyle Health Celebrity Health ZZ Top Drummer Frank Beard Taking Leave of Absence During Elevations Tour for 'Health Procedure' John Douglas, who has performed with ZZ Top in the past, will join the band throughout their remaining tour stops By Marina Watts Marina Watts Marina Watts is a Digital Writer, Music at PEOPLE. She has been working at PEOPLE since 2024. Her work has previously appeared on Bustle, The US Sun, Newsweek and OK! Magazine. People Editorial Guidelines Published on March 17, 2025 06:25PM EDT 1 Comments Frank Beard in New Braunfels in April 2023. Photo: Gary Miller/WireImage ZZ Top's Frank Beard is taking a leave of absence while touring for a medical procedure. In an Instagram post shared on Saturday, March 15, the band announced that their 75-year-old drummer would be "taking time off" their Elevation Tour for a "health procedure," which was not specified. "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," the update read. "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." Frank Beard in Indio in April 2023. Scott Dudelson/Getty ZZ Top Performs Their First Concert Since Bassist Dusty Hill's Sudden Death at Age 72 The update added that Douglas has "maintained a close relationship" with Beard and the ZZ Top bandmates, having stepped in for Frank in 2002 when he underwent an appendectomy in Paris. "He is looking forward to a speedy recovery," ZZ Top's update ended. Fans sent Beard their well wishes. "Prayers for a successful surgery and a full recovery," one user wrote. "Get Well Soon Frank!!," another wrote. The rock band embarked on their tour in March, kicking off with two shows in Alabama and four shows in Florida before announcing Beard's leave. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. They will make several stops throughout the United States in March and April before heading to Australia and New Zealand starting April 29 through mid-May. ZZ Top will then return to North America to perform a handful of shows throughout Canada in June and late August. The band formed in 1969 with Beard on drums, Billy Gibbons singing and on guitar, along with bassist-singer Dusty Hill, who died in 2021. Francis, 63, stepped in on bass after Hill's death. Elwood Francis, Billy Gibbons and Frank Beard in Berlin in July 2024. Frank Hoensch/Redferns Can You Believe the MTV VMAs Are 40 Years Old? Here's What the Very First Show Looked Like The three-time Grammy-nominated band is known for "Sharp Dressed Man," "La Grange," "Gimme All Your Lovin' " and "Legs." ZZ Top last went on tour in the summer of 2024, stopping at several cities throughout Europe. Their most recent album, RAW ('That Little Ol' Band From Texas' Original Soundtrack) came out in 2022. Close Leave a Comment