Frankie Beverly, soul singer and co-founder of Maze, dies at 77

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As a lifelong fan of soul music, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of loss with the passing of Frankie Beverly. His voice was like honey to my ears, and his songs were the soundtrack to many of my life’s moments. From “Joy and Pain” to “Before I Let Go,” his tunes have been the backdrop to countless celebrations, heartaches, and everything in between.

Legendary soul artist Frankie Beverly, frontman and one of the founders of the renowned soul-funk group Maze, passed away at the age of 77.

On Wednesday, Beverly’s relatives made a Facebook announcement regarding his passing, without providing specifics on the reason behind it. Neither Beverly’s nor Maze’s representatives provided a response to The Times’ inquiries about this matter on the same day.

Experiencing the loss of a dear relative like Frankie Beverly (Howard Stanley Beverly) is a highly personal and emotional journey. As we move through phases of sadness, introspection, and cherished memories, we humbly request understanding and privacy to grieve in our unique ways. This time serves as a healing process for us, and your consideration for our quiet moments is deeply appreciated as we pay tribute to the memory of our dearly loved one.

The family expressed that the singer, renowned for his powerful, melodious voice and popular songs like “Joy and Pain” and “Before I Let Go,” “embodied a genuine spirit, as we might put it, and in our eyes, no one could surpass him. He cherished music, family, and companionship above all.

In the 1960s, the lead vocalist of Maze initially rose to fame as a member of the doo-woop group known as the Blenders. Afterward, he established the soul group the Butlers. Originally called Raw Soul when it was founded in Philadelphia in 1970, the band later relocated to San Francisco at the advice of soul legend and Motown titan Marvin Gaye who recommended a name change for them.

As a passionate cinephile, from 1977 to 1993, Frankie Beverly and Maze were the film soundtrack of my life, with their melodious tunes such as “Golden Time of Day,” “We Are One,” “Happy Feelin’s,” “Southern Girl” and “Before I Let Go,” resonating deeply within me. This latter track was later beautifully reinterpreted by Mary J. Blige in 2018, and again by Beyoncé at Coachella that same year.

In February, Beverly declared the end of a five-decade run in the entertainment industry with the “I Wanna Thank You Farewell Tour” featuring Maze. This tour started in March at the State Farm Arena.

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2024-09-11 18:01