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It has been confirmed that Frank Beard, the drummer of ZZ Top, will sit out the band’s upcoming Australian tour, extending his absence from previous performances due to an unspecified health issue.
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In a recent announcement by Live Nation, it was revealed that Beard’s absence from the upcoming tour has been advised by medical professionals. They elaborated on this decision in a statement released on April 24.
Earlier, on March 15, the iconic Texas rock band disclosed that Beard would miss their ongoing Elevation tour due to an essential health procedure. The band’s management conveyed the news through a social media post outlining Beard’s need for a temporary hiatus to focus on his health.
For the duration of Beard’s absence, ZZ Top has enlisted John Douglas, a seasoned percussionist and long-term technician of the band, to step in. This arrangement draws on Douglas’s history with the band, including a previous stint as Beard’s substitute during a 2002 performance in Paris when Beard experienced a medical emergency.
Live Nation’s statement included an optimistic note regarding Beard’s recovery, highlighting the success of his ongoing physical therapy. However, it emphasized that primary attention must be given to his overall recovery, guided by his medical team’s recommendations for extended therapy.
Frank Beard has been with ZZ Top since its inception in 1969, taking over the drumming role from co-founder Dan Mitchell. The band, initially formed by Mitchell and bassist Lanier Greig alongside guitarist Billy Gibbons, saw several lineup changes over the years. After Greig was replaced by Billy Ethridge and Dusty Hill joined as bassist in 1970, the lineup remained stable for an impressive 51 years, until Hill’s passing in 2021, after which Elwood Francis became the new bassist.
ZZ Top’s upcoming Australian tour marks their first visit to the continent since 2013. Kicking off on April 26, the tour comprises ten dates and will be followed by several shows in New Zealand, leading into a North American tour scheduled for June, wrapping up in October with a total of 51 performances planned.
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www.billboard.com