Dominique Bertrand, owner of the Carson City brasserie in Toulouse, has paid tribute to ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard following his death aged 77.
Beard passed away at his ranch in Texas. Speaking from his holiday destination, Bertrand recalled welcoming the musician for lunch during the American rock band's concert visit to the southwestern French city in 2010.
Beard arrived at the establishment on Place Olivier accompanied by a British friend. Bertrand, who founded the American-themed brasserie alongside his wife Isabelle in 1986, said the drummer chose a hearty US-style meal consisting of pork ribs with French fries, a pint of beer, and an American cake for dessert.
Bertrand remembered Beard having a considerable appetite during his hour-and-a-half visit. He described the drummer as very friendly, jovial, and respectful toward the restaurant staff, adding that Beard praised the eatery as a good address upon leaving.
ZZ Top formed in Texas in the late 1960s and grew famous for their blues-influenced hard rock sound. Bertrand noted it was amusing that Beard was the only band member without a beard, maintaining a clean-shaven face while guitarist Billy Gibbons and bassist Dusty Hill were celebrated worldwide for their long facial hair.
Bourbon and famous lookalikes
Sometime after Beard's visit, Gibbons and Hill also visited Carson City. Bertrand said the two bearded musicians sat at the counter sipping Jack Daniel's bourbon while their driver remained outside on the terrace.
Bertrand spoke with the musicians while customers in the restaurant assumed they were impersonators. When the rock stars departed, several patrons approached Bertrand to ask if the visitors were truly members of ZZ Top.
International musicians and local regular guests
The Texan trio were not the only high-profile musical guests to dine at Carson City over its 35-year history. Record label Sony previously sent promotional artists to the venue, including the Scottish rock band Texas, who performed three acoustic tracks directly at the bar counter.
Bertrand gave the members of Texas custom Carson City t-shirts to thank them. He said he was later deeply moved to see the band's drummer wearing the shirt on stage during their performance at the Palais des Sports in Toulouse.
The establishment also welcomed prominent French figures. Legendary Toulouse-born singer Claude Nougaro dined at the brasserie, while French singer-songwriter Michel Jonasz, known for his hit track Joueurs de blues, became a regular guest who declared Carson City's steak tartare to be the best he had eaten.
Sale of a Toulouse institution
The memories emerge as Bertrand and his wife prepare to sell Carson City after more than three decades of operation. The couple established the brasserie opposite its current site on Place Olivier in 1986, building a reputation as a favorite dining spot for visiting American musicians.
