ZZ Top Returns to Tour Following Death of Drummer Frank Beard

ZZ Top has officially resumed their “The Big One” tour, stepping back onto the live stage with Michael Monahan following the death of longtime percussionist Frank Beard. Frontman Billy Gibbons and bassist Elwood Francis performed consecutive shows in Austin, addressing the heavy transition directly with their audience.

The Bottom Line

• The Return: ZZ Top is back on the road for “The Big One” tour, playing back-to-back dates in Austin after a brief pause.
• The Lineup Change: Michael Monahan has taken over drum duties, stepping in for Frank Beard, who played with the band for five decades.
• The Precedent: This mirrors the band’s rapid return to touring following the 2021 death of bassist Dusty Hill, when guitar technician Elwood Francis stepped in.

How ZZ Top is Managing the Stage After Historic Lineup Shifts

The machinery of classic rock touring rarely stops for long, even when the losses are foundational. ZZ Top proved this reality once again as they brought “The Big One” tour to Austin, marking their return to the stage after canceling previously scheduled dates in Salt Lake City and Colorado Springs following Frank Beard’s death.

For a band that spent fifty uninterrupted years anchored by the same three members until Dusty Hill’s passing in 2021, these recent transitions carry immense weight. Yet, true to their blues-rock ethos, the remaining members have chosen to honor their catalog live rather than retreat into silence.

When the band lost their legendary bassist Dusty Hill at age 72, guitar technician Elwood Francis seamlessly stepped into the role within days. History is now repeating itself behind the drum kit. Michael Monahan, who had previously covered for Beard during health struggles alongside drum technician John Douglas, has taken over the rhythm section.

Inside the Austin Debut and Gibbons’ Candid Stage Address

Here is the kicker: instead of ignoring the elephant in the room, Billy Gibbons met the audience’s grief head-on. Just after launching into their opening number in Austin, the iconic singer and guitarist addressed the crowd regarding the man sitting behind the drums.

Myself, I think that some of you might know there’s a new man in town, Gibbons told the Austin audience, introducing Monahan to the room.

Gibbons pulled back the curtain on how the transition actually unfolded behind the scenes, revealing that the legendary Frank Beard himself initiated the change. According to Gibbons, he and Francis received an unexpected phone call from Beard, who had spent half a century laying down the groove for the Texas trio.

He’d never said this before, but then he admitted: My foot is a little weak on the bass drum. Can you tell Michael Monahan to take over? I said: Yeah, yeah, he’s doing pretty well. And Frank replied: Yeah, that worries me too, Gibbons shared with the crowd.

Rather than letting the somber reality dictate the entire evening, Gibbons quickly shifted the room’s energy toward a celebration of longevity and survival. We’re all here for a celebration. You know what’s going on. So we’re going to have a good time, he declared.

The Business and Legacy of Legacy Touring

ZZ Top Touring Continuity Benchmarks

Loss	Year	Immediate Replacement	Current Tour Status
Dusty Hill (Bassist)	2021	Elwood Francis (Guitar Tech)	Active (“The Big One” Tour)
Frank Beard (Drummer)	Recent	Michael Monahan (Sub/Tech)	Active (Austin Dates & Onward)

The economics of classic rock touring demand absolute resilience.

But as the amps roar back to life across Texas, one thing remains certain: “The Big One” is rolling forward, carrying fifty years of rock history directly into the next chapter.

How do you feel about legendary bands continuing their tours with long-time crew members and understudies after losing founding members? Drop a comment below and let’s talk about it.