Frankie Beverly, the iconic soul and R&B singer, songwriter, and founder of the band Maze, passed away at the age of 77 on September 10, 2024. Beverly’s family announced his passing through a statement on social media, marking the end of an era in R&B music.
In their announcement of Beverly’s passing, his family shared that he lived his life with a pure soul, dedicating himself to music, family, and friends, and they emphasized the importance of loving one another, as he would have wished.
Born Howard Stanley Beverly on December 6, 1946, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Beverly found his musical roots in the church, where he began singing gospel music as a boy. His journey in the music industry started early, touring with the Silhouettes as a 12-year-old before forming his own doo-wop groups.
Beverly’s musical career took a significant turn when he formed the group Raw Soul in 1970, which later evolved into Maze featuring Frankie Beverly. The band’s breakthrough came after relocating to San Francisco in 1971, where they caught the attention of Marvin Gaye. Gaye invited them to open his tour and suggested they change their name to Maze featuring Frankie Beverly.
Beverly once reflected on the band’s distinctive place in the music industry, expressing a desire for more recognition but acknowledging that maintaining their unique bond with their fans was more important. He noted that the connection they had with their audience felt like being part of a special, almost cult-like following, and that waiting for wider recognition was worth preserving that special dynamic.
Maze featuring Frankie Beverly released their debut album in 1977, marking the beginning of a successful career that would span over five decades. The band became known for hits like “Back in Stride,” “Can’t Get Over You,” “Golden Time of Day,” and the fan-favorite “Before I Let Go,” which gained renewed popularity when Beyoncé covered it on her live album Homecoming.
Throughout their career, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly achieved impressive success on the R&B charts, with 29 songs on the Billboard R&B singles chart, including nine in the Top 10. The band also had 14 albums on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, with two reaching No. 1. Their consistent success on these charts, coupled with their ability to create a unique connection with their audience, solidified their place in R&B history.
Beverly’s smooth baritone voice and the band’s infectious melodies became the soundtrack to countless summer cookouts, family reunions, and social gatherings. The song “Before I Let Go” in particular has become synonymous with these events, often referred to as an unofficial Black national anthem.
Earlier this year, Beverly announced his retirement from music and embarked on the “I Wanna Thank You” Farewell Tour, which ran from March to July. During this tour, he expressed his intention for the band and its music to continue in his absence, passing the lead vocalist torch to Tony Lindsay. “I’m blessed that all of you know all of these songs,” Beverly told the crowd during his farewell performance in Atlanta, Georgia, on March 22, 2024.
Beverly’s influence on the music industry and his impact on fans and fellow artists alike was evident in the tributes that poured in following the news of his passing. Philadelphia native Patti LaBelle, basketball Hall of Famer Earvin “Magic” Johnson, and Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts were among those who shared their condolences and memories of the legendary singer.
