ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard has been urged to retire by fans after he pulled out of the band’s tour due to a health issue.

Beard, 75, who has been in the iconic band since 1969, will be replaced by John Douglas on the Elevation Tour, which began March 2 and runs until August 2025.

A statement from the band’s management, Shelter Music Group, announced Sunday that Beard ‘has temporarily stepped away from the current tour to attend a health issue requiring his focus in the near term.

‘Beard, along with fellow ZZ Top members Billy F Gibbons and Elwood Francis, presently on the Elevation tour since March 5, have engaged fellow Texan and longtime tech member, percussionist and drummer, John Douglas, for the interim.

The post added that Douglas ‘has maintained a close relationship with Beard and the bandmates’ and previously replaced Beard in a Paris performance in 2002 when the drummer had an emergency appendectomy.

The statement concluded: ‘He is looking forward to a speedy recovery.’

ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard has been urged to retire by fans after he pulled out of the band’s tour due to a health issue

ZZ Top had the mᴀssive hits Gimme All Your Lovin’ and Sharp Dressed Man as well as Legs – pictured Dusty Hill, Billy Gibbons, and Frank Beard in 1984

Fans quickly took to social media to beg Beard and the band to retire, with one writing: ‘Just stop already. Retire

Others wrote: ‘At some point All 3 members will “step away “ But they will still tour ? 

‘Goddamn, Billy. Retire the band in grace.’

Others sent well wishes for Beard’s swift recovery and sent ‘healing prayers’ for the musician.’ 

In 2021 Dusty Hill, one of the founding members of the legendary 1970s rock group died aged 72.

He was the lead bᴀss player and secondary lead vocalist for he super group which has the hit song Legs.

They became popular in the 1970s and did very well in the 1980s. Their signature was very long beards on two of the band members, Hill and Gibbons.

ZZ Top released Tres Hombres in 1973, which reached the No. 8 position on the Billboard 200 albums chart.

A statement from the band’s management, Shelter Music Group, announced Sunday that Beard ‘has temporarily stepped away from the current tour to attend a health issue requiring his focus in the near term

Fans quickly took to social media to beg Beard and the band to retire, with one writing: ‘Just stop already. Retire’

Beard is pictured performing in 2009 in LA

In 2021 Dusty Hill (right in 2016), one of the founding members of the legendary 1970s rock group died aged 72 – pictured with Beard and Billy Gibbons

 Their top hits from that were La Grange and Jesus Just Left Chicago.

On their album Eliminator, they had the mᴀssive hits Gimme All Your Lovin’ and Sharp Dressed Man as well as Legs.

ZZ Top’s discography numbers 15 albums, several of which won awards.

In 2004, ZZ Top was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.