John Douglas, a longtime tech member of the Texas boogie band, will man the drum kit in the interim. He played with ZZ Top back in 2002 when Beard underwent an emergency appendectomy in Paris. The band’s Elevation Tour kicked off March 5 in Alabama and is slated to run through April 12 in Arkansas.

While not the band's founding drummer - that title goes to Dan Mitchell, who played in Gibbons' previous band Moving Sidewalks and drummed on ZZ Top's first single "Salt Lick" - B

Longtime ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard is stepping away from the band’s current tour due to a health issue, according to a recent statement from the group. Beard’s replacement has been announced as well.

Frank Beard, the longtime drummer for the legendary rock group ZZ top, has stepped away from the current tour due to a “health issue,” according to reports. No further details were provided about what that issue might be. The band released a statement on social media.