Frank Beard, who co-founded ZZ Top and was its drummer for nearly six decades, playing on sach classics as “La Grange,” “Tush,” “Sharp Dressed Man” and “Legs,” died Monday. He was 77.

The band’s longtime rep Bob Merlis confirmed to our sister publication Rolling Stone that Beard died at his ranch in Richmond, Texas, while in hospice care. He did not provide a cause of death, but the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer was forced to leave ZZ Top’s current tour in March due to an unspecified “health issue.” He had returned to play some shows, but the trio canceled its planned Hollywood Bowl concert this month as Beard’s health worsened.

ZZ Top was formed in 1969 in Houston, featuring Beard alongside singer-guitarist Billy Gibbons and bassist-singer Dusty Hill. They went on to become one of rock’s best-loved trios — and bands — with their massive success driven by signature videos that then-nascent MTV played in heavy rotation. And Hill and Gibbons’ signature beards. They had long been considered the rock band with the longest-tenured original lineup until Hill died in 2021 at 72. Elwood Francis has played bass for the group since Hill’s death.

ZZ Top has released 15 studio albums during its career — including half live/half-studio album Fandango! — selling more than 25 million records in the U.S. alone, per the RIAA. Seven of their LPs, including two hits compilations, are platinum or multiplatinum, with four others going gold. The group was featured in the 2019 documentary ZZ Top: That Little Ol’ Band from Texas, which scored a Grammy nom for Best Music Film.

MORE TO COME…

NBCUniversal streamer Peacock is raising the price of all its monthly and annual plans effective August 18 for new and returning subscribers

“These price changes,” the service said on its website, “allow Peacock to continue to create the best experience for its viewers, remain competitive in the marketplace, and deliver unique content across all genres.

A Peacock Select monthly subscription rises to $8.99 (up from $7.99). The Premium monthly subscription is now $12.99 (up from $10.99). And Premium Plus monthly moves to $19.99 (up from $16.99).

For annual subscriptions, a Peacock Select plan is now $89.99 (up from $79.99), while Premium rises to $129.99 (up from $109.99) and Premium Plus goes ot $199.99 (up from $169.99).

For those who subscribed prior to August 18, the new pricing will be effective the next billing date on or after September 17.

Annual subscribers or users on active promotional offers will continue at their current prices until those plans or offers expire. Subscriptions will then renew at the new price.  

Peacock last raised prices a year ago.

After starring in Lee Cronin’s The Mummy, Jack Reynor has found his next horror vehicle in Seasons, Drew Hancock’s film for Amazon MGM Studios, where he’ll star opposite Lily James, Deadline can confirm.

Fka My Wife and I Bought a Ranch, Seasons is based on a viral horror short story by Matt & Harrison Query, which first appeared on Reddit and was later adapted into a full-length novel. It’s the story of a husband and wife who buy their dream ranch, only to discover the land is alive with ancient spirits. For the couple, survival will mean submitting to increasingly disturbing rituals with each turn of the season.

Pic marks Hancock’s follow-up to New Line’s Companion, as well as the third collaboration between 21 Laps and Blumhouse Atomic Monster, on the heels of the top-grossing A24 horror Backrooms.

Hancock directs from his own script, with 21 Laps’ Shawn Levy and Dan Levine producing alongside Blumhouse Atomic Monster’s James Wan and Michael Clear, 12:01 Films’ Scott Glassgold, and Dan Cohen. Judson Scott is exec producing for Blumhouse Atomic Monster, with Alayna Glasthal overseeing for the company.

An American-born Irish actor known for films like Sing Street and Ari Aster’s horror flick Midsommar, Reynor has also recently been seen starring alongside Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas in Power Ballad, John Carney’s musical comedy for Lionsgate. Next up, he’ll be seen starring in the second season of Apple’s hit legal thriller Presumed Innocent, opposite Rachel Brosnahan. Also on the way is a remake of yakuza film A Colt Is My Passport from Amazon MGM’s Orion Pictures, which has wrapped production.

THR was first to Reynor’s casting in Seasons.