The band wrote on social media that the drummer needs "to attend to a health issue requiring his focus in the near term."

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

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.

Rumor’s spreadin’ ’round that ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard has left the band’s Elevation Tour to focus on an unspecified “health issue.” The Texas trio’s reps said Saturday that its co-founder “has temporarily stepped away from the current tour to attend a health issue requiring his focus in the near term” and is “looking forward to a speedy recovery.