ZZ Top returned to the stage Saturday night in Austin for its first performance since the death of longtime drummer Frank Beard, who died Monday at age 77, according to Rolling Stone.
The band had canceled two shows earlier this week after Beard’s death, but said it would go ahead with its Austin dates at Moody Theater, which it described as one of Beard’s favorite venues and a place that felt like a second home to him.
During the show, frontman Billy Gibbons made only one direct reference to Beard’s death, according to Ultimate Classic Rock. Gibbons introduced drummer Michael Monahan, who was behind the kit Saturday, after saying Beard had asked for Monahan to step in because his bass drum foot was “a little weak.”
Gibbons told the crowd they were there to celebrate, and not to dwell on the loss. ZZ Top’s The Big One! Tour continues Sunday in Austin and will run through October, with a handful of South American dates planned for November after that.
