India, Aug. 19 -- Frank Beard, the longtime drummer of Houston, Texas-based rock band ZZ Top, has passed away. Beard, 77, was in hospice care and passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, the band announced in a statement Tuesday.

A rock legend in his own right, Beard was instrumental in the band's rise to popularity in the 1970s, immediately after teaming up for the first time in 1969. Beard, along with his bandmates at ZZ Top, Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill, were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004.

"Today, Elwood and I lost a great friend and collaborator, and the world lost one of the most naturally innovative drummers and a great and true son of Texas. His signature backbeat was key to keeping ZZ on top. The ...