By Chevel Johnson Rodrigue and Jamie Stengle
ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW ORLEANS — Frankie Beverly, who with his band Maze inspired generations of fans with his smooth, soulful voice and lasting anthems including “Before I Let Go,” has died. He was 77.
His family said in a post on the band’s website and social media accounts that Beverly died Tuesday. In the post, which asked for privacy, the family said “he lived his life with a pure soul, as one would say, and for us, no one did it better.” The post did not say his cause of death or where he died.
Beverly, whose songs include “Joy and Pain,” “Love is the Key,” and “Southern Girl,” finished his farewell “I Wanna Thank You Tour” in his hometown of Philadelphia in July. That same month, the Essence Festival of Culture in New Orleans included a special tribute to Beverly and Maze, who closed out the event for its first 15 years. His performances at the festival — the nation’s largest annual celebration of Black culture — would turn the crowd into a sea of dancing fans, many wearing white clothing like Beverly himself often donned.
“Frankie Beverly’s artistry wasn’t just about sound; it was the very thread that stitched together our collective memories and moments of joy,” the festival’s organizers said in a statement. “His melodies will forever echo in our hearts and continue to inspire.”
Marc Morial, president of the National Urban League and a former mayor of New Orleans, said Maze’s 1981 album “Live In New Orleans” cemented the city’s relationship with Beverly. Morial said he always sat in the front row for Maze’s closeout show at the festival and remembers turning around and seeing a crowd that was “joyful like a choir” singing all of the words with Beverly.
“His music had feeling. It had positive themes of love, happiness, family, and togetherness,” Morial said. “It was just electrical and magical and it’s what made us fall in love with him.”
Beverly’s songs have become interwoven into celebrations in Black communities. The band’s 1981 song “Before I Let Go,” which has been covered by Beyoncé, can be heard everywhere from clubs to cookouts, sure to get people on their feet.
“When the song comes on, it’s time to dance,” said Hakeem Holmes, vice president of the Essence Festival.
He said the band’s music brings such comfort and joy that there’s a “healing aspect” to it. And, he said, songs like “We Are One” bring people together as everyone sings along.
In an interview published over the summer in Essence magazine, Beverly called music “the love of my life.” He said in the interview that he didn’t know exactly why his music appealed across all ages, but that he believed “God made a path for my music to reach each generation.”
Howard Stanley Beverly, born Dec. 6, 1946, in Philadelphia, was so taken with the 1950s R&B group Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers that he changed his name to Frankie.
Maze started out in Philadelphia in the early 1970s as Raw Soul before heading to the San Francisco Bay Area. It was Marvin Gaye who convinced him to change the band’s name to Maze and, in 1977, helped them release their first album, “Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly.”
On the title track of his 1989 album “Silky Soul,” Beverly paid tribute to Gaye, remembering the singer who thrived on the romantic soul and protest songs that Maze was also known for.
“That kind of faith, you’re talking ’60s, hippie generation,” Beverly told The Associated Press in 1990. “It’s missing and I personally feel bad about that. We grew up in the ’60s — we’re ex-hippies.”
Among those mourning Beverly was Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, who wrote on X: “His timeless music, his powerful words and his lasting impact. I’m devastated to hear about this one.”
New Orleans resident Sedrick T. Thomas, 64, a lifelong fan of Beverly and his music, said Beverly’s passing “leaves a chasm in the world of R&B.”
“I feel myself in mourning,” Thomas said. “Frankie was a great entertainer who made sure we, as fans, walked away with an incredible experience. I grew up on his music. I thank him for ‘Joy and Pain,’ for ‘Southern Girl,’ for ‘Happy Feelin’s, and for ‘Before I Let Go.’ I thank him for the time and energy he put into his performances. And though the music will live on, he will be greatly missed.”
Councilmember Cindy Bass’ statement on Frankie Beverly’s passing
With great sadness, I join our community in mourning the passing of Philadelphia soul icon Frankie Beverly. Despite this feeling of sorrow in loss, I take comfort in knowing that the indelible legacy of Frankie’s music will live on, along with his memory on Norwood Street in Germantown, now known to all as “Frankie Beverly Way.”
Honoring those who have made such a profound impact on the 8th District is something I take great pride in as your Councilwoman, and on this sad day, it brings me joy to have given Frankie his flowers while he was still with us to smell them.
Like all Philadelphians, memories of listening to Frankie Beverly and Maze with family and friends bring me comfort, transporting me to a time when his soulful melodies and heartfelt lyrics provided a soundtrack to our lives. Frankie Beverly’s music transcends generations, uniting us in moments of joy, reflection, and celebration. His incredible talent and unwavering spirit have left an imprint on our hearts that will endure for years to come.
As we remember Frankie Beverly today, let us honor his extraordinary contributions to Philadelphia and the world of R&B by continuing to embrace the values of love and unity that his music so beautifully conveyed. May his soul rest in peace, and may we forever cherish the rich legacy he has left behind for our community in Germantown and the world.
It’s tradition for black to be worn at funerals and during times of mourning, but just like Frankie would want, I’ll be wearing white.
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