Frankie Beverly, beloved R&B artist and founder of Maze, dies at 77

Frankie Beverly, the legendary frontman of the R&B soul and funk band Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly, passed away on September 10 at the age of 77. His family confirmed the news on September 11 with a heartfelt statement: “Grieving the loss of a loved one is a deeply personal and emotional experience. As we navigate through sorrow, reflection, and remembrance, we kindly ask for privacy and understanding, allowing us the space to grieve in our own way. This period of healing requires solitude, and we appreciate your respect as we honor the memory of our beloved Howard Stanley Beverly, known to the world as Frankie Beverly.”

In March, Beverly was honored with a lifetime achievement award at the NAACP Image Awards.

Earlier this year, Beverly embarked on a farewell tour and announced that Maze would continue performing with Tony Lindsay as lead vocalist under the new name “Maze Honoring Frankie Beverly.”

Beverly started his career singing gospel music in his native Philadelphia. His musical journey began in the 1970s when he moved from Philadelphia to San Francisco. There, he met Marvin Gaye, who invited Beverly and his band to open for him on tour. Gaye suggested the name “Maze,” replacing the band’s original name, “Raw Soul.”

Maze achieved significant success with nine gold albums and hits such as “Back in Stride,” “Before I Let Go,” “Can’t Get Over You,” and “Joy and Pain.” Beverly was known for his distinctive style of performing in all white, a tradition that his audiences embraced. In 2008, the band was inducted into the Philadelphia Music Alliance’s Walk of Fame. 

Despite his success, Beverly remained humble. Reflecting on his career, he said, “The way this is working is just mind-boggling. I was raised to be humbled by my gifts. I understand that it’s not me up there—that’s a blessing.” He attributed the band’s longevity and success to a higher power, stating, “Longevity is a gift. I think I was called to do this. This isn’t something that I myself can do. I think I was in a position where God placed this gift in my lap. I can write and I do have talent, but the thing that keeps our music relevant—that’s all God.”

Beverly expressed his sentiments about the band’s legacy, saying, “It’s been a great ride through the decades. Let the music of my legacy live on.”