Frankie Beverly, the iconic R&B singer and beloved Philadelphia native, has sadly passed away at the age of 77, as per reported by CBS news.
The devastating news was shared by his family on Tuesday morning via Instagram.
Beverly, whose real name was Howard Stanley Beverly, passed away on Monday, September 10th, as mentioned in the post.
“He lived his life with pure soul as one would say, and for us, no one did it better. He lived for his music, family and friends,” the post read.
The family has chosen to keep the details of Beverly’s death private and has requested privacy during this challenging period.
From a young age, Beverly’s musical journey began, showcasing his talents as a soloist within his local church in Philadelphia’s East Germantown neighborhood. During his teenage years, he further honed his skills by joining “The Silhouettes” ensemble, before eventually establishing his own doo-wop group known as “The Blenders.”
In 1970, Frankie Beverly founded the group “Raw Soul” in Philadelphia. Over time, the group would transform into the internationally renowned “Frankie Beverly and Maze.” Afterward, Beverly relocated to San Francisco and had the opportunity to collaborate with the legendary Marvin Gaye, as stated on Beverly’s official website.
According to the website, Gaye took the group under his wing and proposed changing their name, thus giving birth to Frankie Beverly and Maze.
Frankie Beverly and Maze was founded by Beverly, who also served as the band’s lead singer, songwriter, and producer.
In May, Beverly, together with Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, Councilmember Cindy Bass, and members of the community, came together for a special occasion. They gathered for the street dedication ceremony of “Frankie Beverly Way” in East Germantown.
During the dedication, Bass expressed gratitude to someone who has greatly impacted the lives of Philadelphians. She emphasized that Philadelphia is renowned for its vibrant music scene, and Frankie’s contributions have played a significant role in shaping this musical legacy.
The music of Frankie Beverly and Maze quickly became a beloved part of the Black community. Their songs, such as “Before I Let Go,” “Joy and Pain,” and “Happy Feelin’s,” resonated deeply and became the perfect accompaniment to cookouts, family reunions, and even the iconic electric slide dance.
Beyoncé covered Beverly’s remarkable masterpiece “Before I Let Go” in 2019, featuring it in her live album “Homecoming.”
Beverly and his band recently wrapped up their “I Wanna Thank You Farewell Tour” during the summer. The tour’s final performances took place at The Dell Music Center in North Philadelphia. On stage, Beverly received a heartwarming surprise from Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, who presented him with a beautiful bouquet of flowers.
Hurts, who is renowned for his deep appreciation for vintage music, expressed his condolences on X following the news of Beverly’s passing. He shared a heartfelt statement, acknowledging the timelessness of Beverly’s music, the profound impact of his lyrics, and the lasting legacy he leaves behind. Hurts expressed his devastation and extended his prayers to the Beverly family and the countless fans of Frankie worldwide. He concluded by honoring Beverly’s memory, emphasizing that his influence will endure for generations to come. Rest peacefully, dear friend. Long Live Frankie.
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 🕊️
— Jalen Hurts (@JalenHurts) September 11, 2024
Fellow Philadelphian Questlove, from The Roots, took to Instagram to pay tribute to the late music legend.
Patti LaBelle, a native of Philadelphia, also paid tribute to Beverly on Instagram by sharing a photo of Beverly attending one of her performances.
“I love you, Frankie! Thank you for always bringing us joy and positivity! May you rest in eternal love and peace!” LaBelle expressed in her heartfelt post.
Basketball Hall of Famer Earvin “Magic” Johnson visited X and expressed the significance of the music legend to him and his wife.
Music fans around the world are feeling a devastating loss today. I can't begin to tell you how much I loved Frankie as a true musical artist but even more as a person. He was a gentle soul and always gave fans their money’s worth with every performance.
I would listen to… pic.twitter.com/Y5pUCain8P— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) September 11, 2024
Philadelphia radio DJ Patty Jackson expressed her admiration for Beverly’s legacy, noting that it extends beyond music. Specifically, Jackson commended the profound and meaningful lyrics found in Beverly’s songs.
“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 amazing artist who proved that he didn’t have to win all the big awards. It’s a doggone shame that he’s never won a Grammy.”
