Frank Beard, the beardless drummer for ZZ Top, has died at 77. The only member of the Texas power trio without a beard, he propelled the band's blend of boogie, Southern rock and blues for more than a half-century.

Beard's understated presence behind the kit provided the rhythmic foundation for ZZ Top's distinctive sound. While bandmates Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill became famous for their matching beards and sunglasses, Beard's clean-shaven face made him instantly recognizable as the exception.

Over five decades, his drumming drove the group from their early blues-rock roots through their MTV-era synthesizer hits. The trio's tight interplay, anchored by Beard's steady groove, helped them sell millions of albums and earn induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Beard's death marks the end of an era for one of America's most enduring rock bands. His contributions to their boogie-infused legacy remain essential to the group's storied history.