Tour News - ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard health update ahead of NZ and Australian Tour
Presented by: Live Nation
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 Australia dates.
Tickets to all shows are on sale now at livenation.com.au | www.livenation.co.nz.
ZZ TOP – THE ELEVATION TOUR
with GEORGE THOROGOOD & THE DESTROYERS AND DALLAS FRASCA (AU ONLY)
AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND 2025
Tues, April 29 – Adelaide – AEC Arena
Thurs, May 1 – Perth – Langley Park
Wed, May 7 – Melbourne – Margaret Court Arena
Tues, May 13 – Sydney – ICC Sydney Theatre
Thurs, May 15 – Christchurch – Wolfbrook Arena
Sat, May 17 – Auckland – Spark Arena
Sun, May 18 – Wellington – TSB Arena
For more information head to www.livenation.com.au | www.livenation.co.nz
RED HOT SUMMER
With ZZ Top, George Thorogood & The Destroyers, The Living End, Baby Animals, Rose Tattoo and Dallas Frasca
Sat, April 26 – Bendigo, VIC – Bendigo Jockey Club – SOLD OUT
Sun, April 27 – Mornington, VIC – Mornington Racecourse
Sat, May 3 – Hunter Valley NSW, Roch Estate
Sun, May 4 – Wollongong NSW, Stuart Park
Sat, May 10 - Sandstone Point QLD, Sandstone Point Hotel - SOLD OUT
Sun, May 11 - Sandstone Point QLD, Sandstone Point Hotel


Rock n Roll Hall of fame inductees and legends of rock, ZZ Top, are thrilled to announce Australian singer, songwriter and guitar slinger, Dallas Frasca, as support on the 2025 New Zealand dates for The Elevation Tour this May.
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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.
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