The Irony of Frank Beard: The Beardless Member of ZZ Top
In one of rock’s great ironies, the only man in ZZ Top without an iconic beard happened to have Beard as a last name. Despite the amusing coincidence, this was not a pre-planned joke by the band. Frank Lee Beard was born in 1949, and twenty years later, he would join ZZ Top. However, at that early stage in their career, the band maintained a relatively clean-shaven appearance.
ZZ Top’s Rise and Retreat
Throughout the 1970s, ZZ Top emerged as the premier purveyors of country-fried blues rock. The band enjoyed considerable success, but by the end of the decade, they found themselves burned out. In 1977, the trio—comprising Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill, and Frank Beard—decided to take a break from their musical endeavors.
Reunion and Transformation
When ZZ Top reconvened two years later, everything had changed. During their hiatus, Gibbons traveled the globe, Hill took a job at an airport, and Beard focused on sobriety. Interestingly, none of the members prioritized shaving during this time. In the documentary ZZ Top: That Little Ol’ Band from Texas, Beard recounted his surprise upon seeing Gibbons and Hill’s impressive beards when they reunited.
“I had a beard, but it wasn’t (even) near the beard they had,” Beard reflected. “So I shaved it pretty right after we got back together when I saw they (had much more beard than I had).”
Frank Beard’s Perspective
“Frank didn’t mind being beardless,” Gibbons added. “After all, he had the name, and he could go in the shopping mall without being interrupted.” Gibbons further clarified the origins of their facial hair in an interview, stating, “We’d gotten really, really lazy. Nobody had bothered to shave. In simple terms, that’s exactly how it started.”
The Iconic ZZ Top Beards
As ZZ Top’s long beards became a defining aspect of their image, Beard opted to keep a mustache instead. Initially, he felt he could not match the impressive facial hair of his bandmates. Moreover, the practicality of drumming played a significant role; Gibbons and Hill’s beards were long enough to reach their chests, which could have posed a hindrance for Beard if he had attempted to match their look.
Refusing to Shave for Cash
ZZ Top’s distinctive image was so integral to their identity that Gibbons and Hill famously turned down a $1 million offer from Gillette to shave their iconic facial hair. Meanwhile, Beard embraced the humor of being the only beardless member, even if it was not a deliberate choice from the outset.
Conclusion
In the realm of rock music, Frank Beard stands out not only for his drumming prowess but also for the amusing irony of his beardless identity amidst the legendary beards of ZZ Top. This unique aspect of the band’s history serves as a reminder of the quirks and stories that shape the music industry and its artists.
FAQs
Why did Frank Beard not grow a full beard like his bandmates?
Frank Beard maintained a mustache instead of a full beard primarily because he felt he could not match the impressive beards of Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill. Additionally, having a long beard could have hindered his ability to play the drums effectively.
Did the band plan the beards as part of their image?
No, the beards were not part of a pre-planned image. The band members simply became lazy with shaving during their hiatus, leading to the iconic looks that would define ZZ Top.
What is the significance of ZZ Top’s beards in their career?
ZZ Top’s beards became a signature aspect of their identity and contributed to their image as rock icons. The beards helped solidify their unique style and were so important that the band refused a lucrative deal to shave them off.
