Frank Lee Beard was born on June 11, 1949, in Frankston, Texas, and grew up in Irving, where he attended Irving High School. He began playing drums as a teenager and worked in several North Texas bands, including the Cellar Dwellers, the Hustlers, the Warlocks and American Blues. Those early years also began his long musical partnership with bassist Dusty Hill.
In late 1969, Beard joined guitarist and singer Billy Gibbons and soon brought Hill into the group. Together, the three formed the classic lineup of ZZ Top. Beard would remain behind the drums for more than half a century, appearing on all 15 of the band's studio albums and providing the steady, swinging foundation beneath its blend of Texas blues, boogie and rock. His economical style became an essential part of recordings such as “La Grange” and “Tush,” and he adapted with the band as its sound evolved into the polished, internationally successful music of the Eliminator era.
Success brought personal difficulties as well. Beard later spoke candidly about struggling with cocaine and heroin addiction during the 1970s and the damage it caused to his finances and relationships. During the band's extended hiatus, he entered treatment and a 12-step program. His recovery became a major turning point, and he later discussed that period openly without romanticizing the excesses associated with rock stardom.
Beard's personality and appearance also gave ZZ Top one of its enduring inside jokes: despite his surname, he was the member who did not grow the enormous beard associated with Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill. More importantly, his understated presence behind the drums complemented his playing. He rarely sought the spotlight, instead concentrating on groove, feel and serving the song. In 2004, Beard, Gibbons and Hill were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Away from music, Beard remained closely connected to Texas. He married Debbie Meredith in 1982, was the father of three children, enjoyed golf and lived on a ranch near Richmond. The death of Dusty Hill in 2021 ended the original trio's remarkable run, but Beard continued performing with ZZ Top as Elwood Francis assumed bass duties.
Health problems increasingly affected Beard's touring schedule in his final years. He took a medical leave from performances in 2025, later returned, and subsequently stepped away again.