Frankie Beverly, Iconic Soul Singer and Maze Founder, Dies at 77
Beverly, born Howard Stanley Beverly, died Tuesday morning. "He lived his life with pure soul, and for us, no one did it better," his family wrote in a heartfelt Instagram post. "He lived for his music, family, and friends."
PHILADELPHIA — Frankie Beverly, the legendary singer and frontman of the soul-funk band Maze, has passed away at the age of 77, his family confirmed in a statement Tuesday.
Beverly, born Howard Stanley Beverly, died Tuesday morning. "He lived his life with pure soul, and for us, no one did it better," his family wrote in a heartfelt Instagram post. "He lived for his music, family, and friends."
A native of Philadelphia, Beverly founded Maze in the 1970s under its original name, Raw Soul. The band, later rebranded as Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, became a mainstay in the soul-funk scene, producing nine gold albums between 1977 and 1993, according to Billboard.
Known for timeless hits such as "Happy Feelings," "Golden Time of Day," and the iconic "Before I Let Go," Maze became a cornerstone of classic soul. Beyoncé famously paid tribute to Beverly by covering "Before I Let Go" on her 2019 live album Homecoming.
Earlier this year, Beverly embarked on his farewell tour titled the "I Wanna Thank You" tour, which began in Atlanta on March 22 and concluded in Los Angeles on May 12. After the tour, Maze continued performing under the name Maze Honoring Frankie Beverly.
Upon returning to his hometown of Philadelphia after the farewell tour, the street where Beverly grew up was renamed "Frankie Beverly Way," a tribute to his legacy in both music and his community.
Frankie Beverly’s contributions to soul music will remain influential for generations to come.
