Departures of note

Frank Lee Beard was an American drummer best known as the longtime drummer of the legendary blues rock trio ZZ Top. Born in Frankston, Texas, he joined The Moving Sidewalks in 1969, which soon became ZZ Top alongside guitarist Billy Gibbons and bassist Dusty Hill. The trio's lineup remained unchanged for over five decades, making them one of rock's most enduring acts.

Beard played on all of ZZ Top's studio albums, from 1971's "ZZ Top's First Album" through 2012's "La Futura." His signature snare-rim-tapping intro on "La Grange" and his driving backbeat on hits like "Sharp-Dressed Man," "Gimme All Your Lovin'," and "Tush" helped define the band's Texas boogie-blues-rock sound. The band's 1983 album "Eliminator" sold more than 10 million copies in the U.S. alone.

ZZ Top was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. Ironically, given his surname, Beard was the only member of the band who did not sport the long facial hair that made Gibbons and Hill iconic. He spent his later years at his ranch in Richmond, Texas, where he operated the Top 40 Ranch and was active in local golf and community events.