Frankie Beverly, Iconic Maze Singer Known for Timeless Anthems, Dies at 77

Frankie Beverly, the lead singer of the band Maze, known for inspiring generations with his smooth, soulful voice and timeless anthems like "Before I Let Go," has passed away at the age of 77.

In a statement shared on the band's website and social media, his family announced Beverly's passing on Tuesday, requesting privacy during this time. The statement described him as living life with a "pure soul" and said, "For us, no one did it better." The family did not disclose his cause of death or the location.

Beverly, who gave the world hits like “Joy and Pain,” “Love is the Key,” and “Southern Girl,” had recently concluded 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 paid special tribute to him and Maze. Beverly had headlined the festival for its first 15 years, and his performances, often marked by fans dressed in white, turned the event into a joyful celebration.

Marc Morial, president of the National Urban League and former mayor of New Orleans, credited Maze’s 1981 album Live In New Orleans with strengthening the connection between the city and Beverly. He fondly recalled sitting in the front row during Maze’s performances, witnessing crowds singing along, united in joy. “His music was filled with love, happiness, family, and togetherness," Morial said. "It was electrifying, magical, and made us fall in love with him."

Beverly's music, especially the 1981 classic "Before I Let Go," has become deeply ingrained in Black culture, playing at everything from clubs to family cookouts. Beyoncé even covered the song, cementing its place as a dance-floor favorite. Hakeem Holmes, vice president of the Essence Festival, noted that the band’s music provides comfort and joy, adding that songs like "We Are One" unite people in celebration and healing.

In a recent interview with Essence magazine, Beverly called music "the love of my life" and reflected on the enduring appeal of his songs, attributing their cross-generational reach to a higher power, saying, “God made a path for my music to reach each generation.”

Born Howard Stanley Beverly on December 6, 1946, in Philadelphia, he was so inspired by the 1950s R&B group Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers that he adopted the name Frankie. Maze began in the early 1970s in Philadelphia as Raw Soul, before relocating to the San Francisco Bay Area. It was Marvin Gaye who suggested the name change to Maze and helped them release their debut album Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly in 1977.

On the title track of his 1989 album Silky Soul, Beverly paid homage to Gaye, recognizing the singer’s influence and the shared themes of romantic soul and social consciousness in their music. Reflecting on the 1960s, Beverly once remarked, "That kind of faith is missing. We’re ex-hippies.”

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts expressed his grief on social media, writing, "His timeless music, his powerful words, and his lasting impact. I’m devastated to hear about this one."

Lifelong fan Sedrick T. Thomas, 64, of New Orleans, echoed these sentiments, saying, "Frankie’s passing leaves a huge void in the world of R&B." Thomas added, "I thank him for 'Joy and Pain,' for 'Southern Girl,' for 'Happy Feelin’s,' and for 'Before I Let Go.' Though the music will live on, he will be greatly missed