It is another dark day for the music world, as one of the most melodious voices has fallen silent. Frankie Beverly, a multiple-award-winning lead vocalist for the renowned Maze band, is no more. He died on Saturday, September 10, 2023, at 77 years old. Suddenly taken away by death, his voice could flow like honey, and with his timeless anthems, Beverly’s passing signals the demise of an era in R&B music.
His family announced the news on social media and called for privacy over the bereavement. They said he had lived with a “pure soul,” adding that nobody did it better. His cause of death was not disclosed.
Howard Stanley Beverly, aka Frankie Beverly, was born on December 6, 1946, in Philadelphia, and took his name from the 1950s R&B group Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers. Frankie Beverly began his musical career in the 1960s, performing in several local doo-wop groups, including The Blenders and The Butlers. In the early 1970s, Frankie Beverly founded Maze in Philadelphia, which was originally called Raw Soul. It is worth noting that Marvin Gaye, who also played a critical role in the band’s launch, influenced the band’s name change.
Maze’s self-titled first album, “Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly,” which came out in 1977, launched a career that would become the stuff of legend. Over the years, the band released nine albums, and such hits as “Happy Feelings,” “Southern Girl,” and “Joy and Pain” became staples of R&B radio and house parties everywhere. The 1981 single “Before I Let Go” became ultra-iconic, later covered by Beyoncé, who said it was one of the highlights of her career.
Beverly’s music moved the hearts of audiences everywhere, from love to happiness and togetherness. Praise for his performances—”in his most unforgettable white attire with unmatched energy on stage”—has been celebrated at events such as the Essence Festival of Culture in New Orleans. For 15 years, Maze closed out the event and turned the crowd into a sea of dancing fans.
Beverly’s music has had an intergenerational impact. His songs have been the soundtrack to celebrations in Black communities, from weddings to cookouts. Hakeem Holmes, the vice president of the Essence Festival, described Maze’s music as having a “healing aspect,” bringing comfort and joy to listeners.
Marc Morial, former New Orleans mayor and current president of the National Urban League, said Maze was deeply connected to that city; he recalled seeing a sea of happy people singing in unison to Beverly’s song. Even Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts chimed in on Twitter to praise Beverly’s music as “timeless” and added he was “truly heartbroken” with news of his passing.
Beverly became famous for his powerful connection with his audience, not just his music. He was one of the founders of Maze, bringing together Philly soul and the laid-back vibes of California into one musical legacy. His songs embraced messages of unity and love, were more often than not favorites, and remain so.
Never quite achieving the kind of crossover success enjoyed by some of his contemporaries, Beverly nonetheless had his work received with great admiration for its authenticity and poignancy. His band’s heartbreaking songs and high-energy live performances deeply touched every fan and critic.
As we remember Frankie Beverly, it is crystal clear that his music will live on to inspire and uplift. His soulful voice and positive themes have become a treasured part of our collective memory, and for that reason, though he is deeply missed, his spirit lives on through the timelessness of the music he made.
