The Irony of Frank Beard: ZZ Top’s Beardless Drummer

In a twist of fate that has amused rock fans for decades, Frank Beard, the drummer of ZZ Top, is the only member of the band without an iconic beard. Born in 1949, Beard joined ZZ Top in the early ’70s when the band was still clean-shaven, but things changed dramatically during their hiatus.

While Beard was trying to get sober, his bandmates, Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill, were growing their legendary facial hair. When they reunited in 1979, Beard was surprised to see the impressive beards his friends had developed. He quickly shaved his own, humorously acknowledging that he couldn’t compete with their epic looks.

Gibbons has shared that the beards were a product of sheer laziness, as none of the band members prioritized shaving during their break. Beard opted for a mustache instead, recognizing that a full beard could hinder his drumming performance.

ZZ Top’s beards became a crucial part of their image, leading to offers like a $1 million deal from Gillette to shave them off, which the band famously declined. Despite being the only beardless member, Beard embraced the irony, proving that sometimes, rock ‘n’ roll is as much about personality as it is about appearance.

Source: ultimateclassicrock.com

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