Frankie Beverly hasdied of as yet unspecified causes. He leaves behind a legacy that extends far beyond soul music.
Howard Stanley Beverly, a decorated soul music singer known professionally as Frankie Beverly and for his role as frontman of the band Maze, passed away on Tuesday, September 10.
Beverly’s family shared the news in an Instagram post the following day. They did not disclose his cause of death or any other details surrounding his passing. The statement simply celebrated how Beverly “lived his life with pure soul,” arguing that “no one did it better” and “he lived for his music, family and friends.”
“During this time, as we are navigating feelings of sorrow, reflection, and remembrance we kindly ask for privacy and understanding, allowing us the space to grieve in our own way,” reads a passage. “This period for is one of healing, and your respect for our need for solitude is appreciated as we honor the memory of our beloved Howard Stanley Beverly known to the world as Frankie Beverly.”
Founded by Beverly in Philadelphia in 1970 initially under the name Raw Soul, Maze began gaining traction in 1977 after their debut album, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, was signed to Capitol Records. They released a new album each of the following three years: Golden Time of Day in 1978, Inspiration in 1979, and Joy and Pain in 1980.
Beverly’s vocals have been sampled by a wide array of artists. While featuring most prominently in hip-hop tracks by the likes of Nate Dogg, 2-Pac, and 50 Cent, they have also appeared in songs by electronic musicians such as Daft Punk and even pop icon Beyoncé.
Maze remained active all the way up to Beverly’s passing. In an uncanny coincidence, 2024 marked the band’s farewell tour, which took the prolific singer and his collaborators to five cities across the US.
We here at EDM Identity express our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Frankie Beverly during what can only be a difficult time.