Troy E. Nehls, TX
“I am honoring my friend Frank Beard, who died recently. He was the drummer for the famous Texas rock band ZZ Top for over 50 years.”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my friend, a true Texas legend, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and the heartbeat of ZZ Top for more than 50 years, Frank Beard. Frank passed away on August 17, 2026, in Richmond, Texas, at his ranch, surrounded by his family. He is now reunited with ZZ Top’s base player, Dusty Hill. As a teenager, Frank picked up the drums, and he never looked back. From 1966 to 1968, Frank played alongside Dusty Hill in the band American Blues before the two of them joined up with Billy Gibbons and formed the iconic band ZZ Top and made history. In 1970, that classic trio, Billy, Dusty, and Frank, played their first show at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Beaumont, Texas. From that night on, the trio stayed together for over half a century, putting out hit after hit and entertaining millions of fans all over the world. Frank’s steady Texas backbeat was the foundation of that sound. He kept ZZ Top’s rhythm locked in for more than 50 years. Billy Gibbons said it best: ``The world lost one of the most naturally innovative drummers and a great and true son of Texas.’’ I know Frank is deeply missed by his wife, Debbie, his three children, the whole ZZ Top family, and fans all over the world. Frank Beard will always be a staple of Texas and rock and roll history. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I will miss seeing my friend, Frank, on the golf course and riding around in his sports car in Pecan Grove. Rest in peace. May God bless him.”
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my friend, a true Texas legend, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and the heartbeat of ZZ Top for more than 50 years, Frank Beard. Frank passed away on August 17, 2026, in Richmond, Texas, at his ranch, surrounded by his family. He is now reunited with ZZ Top’s base player, Dusty Hill. As a teenager, Frank picked up the drums, and he never looked back. From 1966 to 1968, Frank played alongside Dusty Hill in the band American Blues before the two of them joined up with Billy Gibbons and formed the iconic band ZZ Top and made history. In 1970, that classic trio, Billy, Dusty, and Frank, played their first show at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Beaumont, Texas. From that night on, the trio stayed together for over half a century, putting out hit after hit and entertaining millions of fans all over the world. Frank’s steady Texas backbeat was the foundation of that sound. He kept ZZ Top’s rhythm locked in for more than 50 years. Billy Gibbons said it best: ``The world lost one of the most naturally innovative drummers and a great and true son of Texas.’’ I know Frank is deeply missed by his wife, Debbie, his three children, the whole ZZ Top family, and fans all over the world. Frank Beard will always be a staple of Texas and rock and roll history. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I will miss seeing my friend, Frank, on the golf course and riding around in his sports car in Pecan Grove. Rest in peace. May God bless him.