Frankie Beverly, Iconic Musician and Band Leader of Maze, Passes Away at 77
Frankie Beverly, the celebrated frontman of the band Maze, known for creating anthems that have become synonymous with cookouts and joyous gatherings, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 77, as confirmed by his family.
In a heartfelt statement posted on Maze’s social media accounts, the family expressed their deep loss, stating, “Grieving the loss of a loved one is a deeply personal and emotional experience.” They further requested privacy during this difficult time.
“During this time, as we are navigating feelings of sorrow, reflection, and remembrance we kindly ask for privacy and understanding, allowing us the space to grieve in our own way,” the family continued. “This period for 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 statement honored Beverly’s vibrant spirit, with the family writing, “He lived his life with pure soul as one would say, and for us, no one did it better.” They added, “He lived for his music, family and friends. Love one another as he would want that for us all,” before signing off with, “Howard Stanley Beverly aka Frankie Beverly 12/6/46 – 9/10/24.”
The family did not disclose the cause of death. Comments from Beverly’s representative have been sought by CNN.
Born in Philadelphia, Beverly displayed an early talent for music, performing as a soloist in church during his upbringing in the East Germantown neighborhood. In his teenage years, he joined an ensemble called The Silhouettes and later founded his own doo-wop group, The Blenders.
Beverly reportedly chose to adopt the name "Frankie" in tribute to the influential singer Frankie Lymon of Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers fame. In 1970, he established Maze, originally known as Raw Soul.
Maze’s innovative blend of soul, funk, and R&B garnered the attention of Marvin Gaye, who invited them to join him on tour as his opening act. This opportunity paved the way for a series of hits that solidified Beverly’s legacy. Among their iconic songs are “Joy and Pain,” “Golden Time of Day,” “We Are One,” “Happy Feelin’s,” and “Before I Let Go,” described as “the unofficial theme of Summer and any gathering of people who have come to party—’Before I Let Go!’,” according to the band’s website.
“Before I Let Go” became such an enduring staple in the Black community that it was covered by Beyoncé in her 2019 concert film “Homecoming.” The song was also discussed in a 2021 episode of Jenna Wortham and Wesley Morris’s New York Times podcast, “Still Processing.”
Reflecting on Beyoncé’s cover, Beverly recalled, “She kept it quiet, until her people called me one day…when they played it, I was blown away. This is one of the high points of my life.”
Beverly and Maze maintained an active touring schedule for decades. In 2012, Beverly was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the BET Awards. Earlier this year, he announced his retirement.
