Frankie Beverly, a soul balladeer who lovingly — and relentlessly — delivered messages of peace and understanding while fronting a multi-piece band with ubiquitous presence in all facets of Black culture, died on Sept. 10, 2024. He was 77.
“Grieving the loss of a loved one is a deeply personal and emotional experience,” the family of Beverly wrote in a statement released to fans and media. “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.”
A cause of death was not confirmed at press time.
A Philadelphia-bred crooner whose voice had just enough ache for distress, but enough restraint to not reek of desperation, a tone that was yearning but not too cloying, Beverly led the band Maze to permanent stature in the world of R&B with songs like “Before I Let Go,” “Happy Feelin’s,” “Golden Time of Day” and “Can’t Get Over You.” With Maze, Beverly amassed a number of singles that became staples on Black radio — and over time at cookouts, family reunions, and other Black gatherings — and in set lists across nearly 50 years of touring, where he and the band were usually decked out in all-white linen.
Renewed appreciation of Maze’s music by way of covers and samples came in recent years, as well as broadened understanding to reward a generation of living Black legends while they still stand, further entrenching Beverly into the general consciousness. The band’s middling record sales over the years did not speak to their stature among Black listeners, earning the band comparisons to outfits like The Grateful Dead, who built near cult-like appreciation despite not having walls full of platinum plaques to match.
Maze and Beverly came together in the latter’s hometown of Philadelphia and recorded some early singles that found little audience. They jetted to San Francisco and found ground there, lining up gigs at local venues there. Then known as Raw Soul, the band caught the ear of an associate of Marvin Gaye in the early 1970s; Gaye took the band on the road throughout the decade, set them up with record executives, and recommended the band change its name to Maze.
The band’s sun-drenched, laid-back California soul — not as hard-driving as Sly & the Family Stone, but perhaps a half-step quicker than War — found audiences on the west coast, but did not catch on with east coast audiences right away. As the AmNews reported in August 1985, Beverly noted during a Beacon Theater show (opened by Angela Bofill, who also passed this year) that New York was “one of the slowest places receiving our music.”
No better tune exemplifies the slow-yet-steady rise of Maze than “Before I Let Go.” Originally released in 1981 as a studio cut on a live album, the song peaked at No. 13 on Billboard’s R&B chart. In the 30-plus years since, the song grew to be played at the end of parties, the beginning of receptions, and everywhere in between. Two songs sampling the cut — a cover by Beyonce and the song “Get Right Back to My Baby” by Vivian Green — brought the original tune to new generations of celebrants.
Even before “Let Go” became a certified family-reunion classic, Maze kept a place on Black America’s playlist with adult contemporary classics like “Joy and Pain” and “Silky Soul,” the latter serving as a tribute to Gaye, whom Beverly idolized. With an iconic back catalog — Maze has not recorded new material since 1993 — Beverly and his band became fixtures on the summer festival circuit, with his twilight years being revered at the ever-growing Essence Festival in New Orleans.
Born Howard Stanley Beverly on December 6, 1946, his interest in music was sparked in the church. Frankie recalls that, “You know, it was like anyone that could sing was featured in a Sunday program. So I did my share of solos in church…a lot of singing,” he wrote on the band’s fan site.
Beverly attempted a number of doo-wop groups in his youth before developing a fascination with Sly & the Family Stone, and instead decided to pursue an instrument-driven approach to making music. “Before the Family Stone, Black groups did doo-wop or they were a band with a front man. Sly had this self-contained thing that you usually found with rock groups. Once I saw what he was doing with the Family Stone, we changed from what we had been doing to becoming a self-contained unit. And we became Raw Soul,” Beverly said.
Making the band worked, and showmanship through instrumentation — all carried by Beverly’s vocals — became key to their longevity on the road. “We took Anita Baker out as our opening act on her first national tour and did the same thing with Regina Belle and Toni Braxton,” Beverly remarked.
“I feel so blessed,” Beverly said. “People show that they really respect me and the band and I just want to keep giving the people what they want.”
For my generation Frankie will truly be missed and remembered as the Greatest R&B singer of my time. I first saw him in 197 and never missed a performance. I can truly say he was Music tomy Heart!
This is hitting hard, I so loved his persona, his music. His song we are one. Frankie, I know you are singing in heaven, rest in peace.
The only group I know that didn’t create many albums but the music is played by all ages. Here in New Orleans Frankie’s voice is heard daily someone is playing it, weather in their house, car, club or blasting it in the park. Frankie and Maze will live in New Orleans forever, We will miss you Frankie and I know a party will be going on somewhere even through the Hurricane, no storm can keep you away. Now you’re on a new mission, make it as great as you did here. We love you Frankie. Peace Love and Blissings to the family.
I was a true believer in the sounds and voice of Frankie Beverly. I’m gonna miss the hell out of this great singer and group.
Thank you for all the great music over the years. I had to fortunes to attend his show once in FL. What a fantastic night. A bucket list event. I never go a week without playing some of the tunes. Thank you sir for all you have done to make me smile and sing over the years. You were truly one of the best.