Beard will be replaced by "fellow Texan and longtime tech member, percussionist and drummer, John Douglas" during his absence.

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

John Douglas, a longtime tech member of the Texas boogie band, will man the drum kit in the interim. He played with ZZ Top back in 2002 when Beard underwent an emergency appendectomy in Paris. The band’s Elevation Tour kicked off March 5 in Alabama and is slated to run through April 12 in Arkansas.

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.

ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard will be absent from the group's upcoming tour plans, citing a "health issue" as the reason for his absence. The Texas trio announced the news that Beard would be absent from the group's current Elevation tour due to the need to undergo an unspecified health procedure.

Frank Beard, drummer of ZZ Top, had to take time off from touring to focus on his health. The band posted a statement that revealed John Douglas will be replacing Frank