On September 10, 2024, the globally renowned soul and R&B artist, Frankie Beverly, died at 77. The news of his death was put out by his family via a social media statement, signaling a significant loss to the R&B music industry.
While announcing the unfortunate news, Beverly’s family highlighted that he was a man of a pure soul who devoted his life to music, family, and friends. They underscored his wish of spreading love and unity among all.
Originally named Howard Stanley Beverly, he was born on December 6, 1946, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His musical journey started in the church, singing gospel music from a young age. At 12, he toured with the Silhouettes and later formed his own doo-wop groups.
The turning point in Beverly’s career arrived with the formation of the band Raw Soul in 1970. The band evolved into Maze featuring Frankie Beverly after moving to San Francisco, California, in 1971. Their talent was recognized by Marvin Gaye, who invited them to open his tour and recommended the band’s name change.
In an earlier interview, Beverly touched upon the band’s unique position in the music world. He expressed a longing for more recognition but affirmed that preserving the special bond with their fans was of utmost importance.
The band released their debut album in 1977, heralding the start of a career that spanned more than five decades. Maze featuring Frankie Beverly became popular for hits like, “Back in Stride,” “Can’t Get Over You,” “Golden Time of Day,” and “Before I Let Go,” the latter gaining renewed attention when Beyoncé included it on her live album Homecoming.
The band marked a significant presence on the R&B charts throughout their career, having 29 songs on the Billboard R&B singles chart, including nine in the Top 10. They also had 14 albums on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, with two reaching No. 1. Their success on these charts and their unique relationship with their audience cemented their place in R&B history.
Beverly’s smooth baritone voice and the band’s catchy tunes have often been the backdrop for numerous summer cookouts, family reunions, and social events. Notably, “Before I Let Go” has become synonymous with such gatherings and is often seen as an unofficial Black national anthem.
Earlier this year, Beverly announced his retirement from music and embarked on the “I Wanna Thank You” Farewell Tour, which ran from March to July. He expressed his wish for the band’s music to continue, passing the lead vocalist role to Tony Lindsay. “I’m blessed that all of you know all of these songs,” Beverly said during his farewell performance in Atlanta, Georgia on March 22, 2024.
The widespread impact Beverly made in the music industry and his influence on fans and fellow artists alike was evident in the tributes that flowed in after the news of his passing. Among those mourning his loss were Philadelphia-born singer Patti LaBelle, basketball Hall of Famer Earvin “Magic” Johnson, and Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts.
