Frankie Beverly: Celebrated Singer and Band Leader Dies at 77

Frankie Beverly, who with his band Maze gave the world an anthem that will forever be tied to cookouts and good times, died on Tuesday, his family announced. He was 77. Beverly’s family posted a statement on the band’s social media accounts, which began: “Grieving the loss of a loved one is a deeply personal and emotional experience.” “During this time, as we are grieving sorrow, reflection, and remembrance we kindly ask for privacy and understanding, allowing us the space to grieve in our own way,” their statement continued. “This period for us is one of healing, and your respect for our need for solitude is appreciated as we honor the memory of our beloved Howard Stanley Beverly known to the world as Frankie Beverly.” The family went on to write, “He lived his life with pure soul as one would say, and for us, no one did it better.” “He lived for his music, family, and friends. Love one another as he would want that for us all,” the statement concluded. Born in Philadelphia, Beverly got his start in music early, performing as a soloist in church while growing up in the East Germantown section of the city.

The Life and Legacy of Frankie Beverly

As a teen, he sang with an ensemble called The Silhouettes before forming his own doo-wop group, The Blenders. Legend has it that Beverly changed his first name to Frankie for the stage in homage to singer Frankie Lymon. In 1970, he founded the group Maze, originally known as Raw Soul. Their mix of soul, funk, and R&B reportedly captured the attention of legendary singer Marvin Gaye, leading to years of hits and success for Beverly and the band.

Hit Songs That Defined a Generation

• “Joy and Pain”
• “Golden Time of Day”
• “We Are One”
• “Happy Feelin’s”
• “Before I Let Go!”

“Before I Let Go” became a lasting staple in the Black community that Beyoncé covered for her 2019 concert film “Homecoming.” Beverly described this moment as a high point in his life. Frankie Beverly and Maze continued to tour for decades, and in 2012, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the BET Awards. Sadly, he announced his retirement earlier this year.