ZZ Top has advised today that drummer Frank Beard, as recommended by medical personnel, will not be present for the Australia and New Zealand leg of The Elevation Tour with George Thorogood & The Destroyers, commencing this Saturday with Red Hot Summer Bendigo.
John Douglas, who has previously appeared with ZZ Top and is fresh off the just-concluded US leg of The Elevation Tour, will continue to join forces with Billy Gibbons and Elwood Francis for these dates. Douglas also covered for Frank Beard back in 2002 while the band was on tour in France.
Beard’s continued physical therapy has shown to be very effective in dealing with the issue that caused him to leave the recent US leg of the tour. While cheered by the positive news, band and management believe that his total recovery must be priority #1. Beard’s attending physicians have suggested more physical therapy over a longer period would potentially achieve better and longer lasting results, and this will now be his focus.
The Elevation Tour commences in Victoria this Saturday, running through until May 18 at Wellington’s TSB Arena. The tour will see ZZ Top perform with special guests, Masters of American blues-rock, George Thorogood & The Destroyers and Dallas Frasca will support on all Australian dates. Tickets to all shows are on sale now at livenation.com.au | www.livenation.co.nz.
