The show must go on.

So says Billy Gibbons, the lead singer of legendary Texas band ZZ Top, following the death of longtime drummer and Irving-raised Frank Beard. The group played their first show since Beard’s passing last weekend in Austin. Gibbons, the only surviving member of ZZ Top’s original trio, called the performance a “celebration,” according to Texas Monthly.

Following the show, Gibbons spoke to Texas Monthly at length, detailing what lies ahead for the band. The group has undergone big changes in recent years after the death of bassist and Dallas native Dusty Hill in 2021 and Beard just recently.

Hill was replaced by Elwood Francis, a longtime touring technician for the band, whom Hill picked as his replacement before he died. Gibbons explained Beard did the same, selecting Michael Monahan, formerly of Florida rock band Annie Dukes, as his replacement on the drums.

“They understood the show must go on,” Gibbons said. “It’s the oldest saying in show business.”

Despite the big changes, ZZ Top is set to continue touring with the new ensemble of Gibbons, Francis and Monahan. Their ongoing tour is scheduled for more than 30 dates before the end of the year, including an Oct. 4 stop in Beard’s hometown of Irving.”Same three chords, but two new guys? Maybe we can make that work,” Gibbons said, referencing his old motto for the band. “It’s not a new day, but it is. It’s not a new band, but it is. It’s a hybrid. … For me, the sun isn’t setting. I see it as a bright light. It’s not so different, but then again it is. We miss Dusty and Frank. We loved these guys. They were everything. And yet we’re following their instructions.”