Frankie Beverly, the legendary R&B singer and Philadelphia native, has passed away at the age of 77. His family broke the devastating news on Instagram Tuesday morning.
The post revealed that Beverly, born Howard Stanley Beverly, died on Monday, September 10.
“He lived his life with pure soul, as many would say, and for us, no one did it better. He lived for his music, family, and friends,” the family’s statement read.
Details surrounding Beverly’s passing have not been disclosed, and the family has requested privacy during this difficult time.
Beverly’s musical journey began early, performing as a soloist in church while growing up in Philadelphia’s East Germantown neighborhood.
As a teenager, he joined the group “The Silhouettes” before forming his own doo-wop group, “The Blenders.”
In 1970, Beverly formed the group “Raw Soul” in Philadelphia, which eventually evolved into “Frankie Beverly and Maze.”
Beverly then relocated to San Francisco, where he worked under the guidance of music legend Marvin Gaye, according to Beverly’s official website.
“Motown’s Marvin Gaye took the group under his wing and suggested the name change. Thus, Frankie Beverly and Maze was born,” the website stated.
Beverly served as the lead singer, songwriter, producer, and founder of Frankie Beverly and Maze, shaping the sound of the band for decades.
In May, Beverly was honored with a street dedication in his hometown of Philadelphia. Alongside Mayor Cherelle Parker, Councilmember Cindy Bass, and community members, Beverly celebrated the renaming of a street to “Frankie Beverly Way” in East Germantown.
“This honor goes to someone who has made a significant contribution to the lives of Philadelphians,” said Councilmember Bass during the dedication. “Anyone familiar with music knows Philadelphia is a music town, and Frankie has contributed greatly.”
Frankie Beverly and Maze’s music became a fixture in the Black community, with iconic songs like “Before I Let Go,” “Joy and Pain,” and “Happy Feelin’s” providing the soundtrack to family gatherings, cookouts, and celebrations, often accompanied by the electric slide.
Beyoncé famously covered Beverly’s timeless hit “Before I Let Go” in her 2019 live album “Homecoming,” further solidifying the song’s place in popular culture.
Earlier this summer, Beverly and his band concluded their “I Wanna Thank You Farewell Tour,” with their final performances taking place at The Dell Music Center in North Philadelphia.
During the show, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts joined Beverly on stage, presenting him with a bouquet of flowers.
Hurts, known for his appreciation of classic music, expressed his sorrow over Beverly’s passing on X (formerly Twitter).
“His timeless music, his powerful words, and his lasting impact. I’m devastated to hear about this one… My prayers are with the Beverly family and the many Frankie fans across the world! His legacy will live on forever. Rest easy, my friend. Long Live Frankie.”
Questlove, a fellow Philadelphia native and member of The Roots, paid tribute to the late legend in an Instagram story.
Patti LaBelle, another Philadelphia icon, shared her love for Beverly in an Instagram post, featuring an image of Beverly attending one of her performances.
“I love you, Frankie! Thank you for always lifting us higher! Rest in love and peace!” LaBelle’s post read.
Basketball Hall of Famer Earvin “Magic” Johnson also took to X to share how much the music legend meant to him and his wife.
Philadelphia radio DJ Patty Jackson praised Beverly’s lyrics, particularly highlighting his ability to connect with listeners.
“His music connected. When he wrote ‘Joy and Pain,’ think of the lyrics: ‘You’re going to have joy. You’re going to have pain.
You’re going to have sunshine. You’re going to have rain,’ and that’s life,” Jackson said. “He was an incredible artist who showed he didn’t need to win all the big awards. It’s a shame he’s never won a Grammy.”
