Music fans in Philadelphia and around the globe are grieving the loss of legendary R&B artist, songwriter, and producer Frankie Beverly, who passed away at the age of 77. Beverly was the founder of the funk and soul band Maze, originally born as Howard Stanley Beverly.
The announcement of his death came from his family on Wednesday morning, revealing that he had died the previous day. In an online message, the family expressed their sorrow and requested privacy during this difficult time, stating, “Grieving the loss of a loved one is a deeply personal and emotional experience.” They emphasized the importance of reflection and remembrance as they honor his legacy.
Beverly, who was born in Philadelphia, attended Germantown High School. His music career took off when he founded the Blenders, later recording songs with the group the Butlers. His talent caught the eye of renowned songwriter and producer Kenny Gamble, leading to several releases under the Philadelphia-based record label Cameo Parkway.
After relocating to the West Coast, Beverly’s group was renamed Raw Soul, and eventually became Maze, with whom he released nine gold albums. Earlier this year, after an illustrious 50-year career, Beverly held a farewell concert at the Dell Music Center in North Philadelphia.
Details regarding the cause of his death have not been disclosed by his family.