ZZ Top's First Show Since Frank Beard's Death

ZZ Top returned to the stage this past weekend for the band's first full concert since the death of longtime drummer Frank Beard, delivering a set that leaned into celebration rather than mourning. The Texas blues-rock trio played a show at the Moody Theater in Austin, marking the group's first live appearance since Beard's passing was announced. Beard, who anchored ZZ Top's rhythm section for more than five decades, died last week at age 77. Multiple outlets reported his death but did not specify a cause, and no cause of death has been announced by the band or Beard's family as of this writing. Guitarist and frontman Billy Gibbons addressed the loss from the stage before the band launched into its set: "We're all here for a celebration." Gibbons also introduced the drummer who took over behind the kit, Michael Monahan, recounting a dry joke Beard had made about handing off the job: "My bass drum foot's a little weak. Can you get my man to take over?" Monahan had already been filling in for Beard during rece