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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchFrankie Beverly, the singer-songwriter who founded and led Maze, died at 77, his family announced in September 2024. Born Howard Stanley Beverly, he helped shape the band’s soul-funk sound as a vocalist, guitarist and producer—not just as the voice of “Before I Let Go.” The family did not disclose a cause or location of death and asked for privacy.
From Philadelphia groups to Maze
Beverly was born in Philadelphia on December 6, 1946. He began singing as a child and formed early groups, including the Butlers. In the early 1970s, he formed Raw Soul, the Philadelphia band that would become Maze. The group moved to the San Francisco Bay Area, where Marvin Gaye helped them secure a Capitol record deal and encouraged a new name.
The band’s 1977 debut was released as Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly. The name made Beverly’s central role clear, but his work went well beyond singing lead: he was the group’s founder, guitarist, producer and driving force. The Los Angeles Times reported that he wrote nearly all of Maze’s hits; “Joy and Pain” was an exception, with Beverly sharing a songwriting credit.
The songs that defined Maze
Maze built a catalog of soulful, groove-led songs that included “Golden Time of Day,” “Happy Feelin’s,” “We Are One,” “Southern Girl” and “Joy and Pain.” Their best-known recording, “Before I Let Go,” was released in 1981 and became a song audiences claimed as their own. The Washington Post reported that it reached No. 13 on the R&B chart.
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Beyoncé later recorded a cover, introducing the song to another generation. Its communal pull was especially visible at the Essence Festival in New Orleans. Maze served as the festival’s closing act for its first 15 years, according to the Associated Press and The Washington Post. Hakeem Holmes, the festival’s vice president, captured the response simply: “When the song comes on, it’s time to dance.”
R&B success and a lasting live following
Maze’s achievements were substantial on the R&B charts, even without comparable mainstream pop crossover. The Los Angeles Times reported that the albums Can’t Stop the Love (1985) and Silky Soul (1989) topped Billboard’s R&B Albums chart. It also reported that “Back in Stride” and “Can’t Get Over You” reached No. 1 on the R&B singles chart.
The band’s reputation was built as much onstage as in the studio. Maze cultivated a loyal audience and sustained a long touring career. Beverly completed the farewell “I Wanna Thank You Tour” in 2024. The Los Angeles Times reported that Maze would continue touring with vocalist Tony Lindsay.
Family statement and legacy
In the family statement reproduced by the Associated Press, Beverly’s relatives wrote that “he lived his life with a pure soul, as one would say, and for us, no one did it better.” They requested privacy; the AP report did not state a cause or place of death.
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Marc Morial, president of the National Urban League and former New Orleans mayor, described what listeners heard in Maze’s music: “His music had feeling. It had positive themes of love, happiness, family and togetherness.” That sense of togetherness helps explain why Beverly’s legacy is larger than one enduring hit: he built a band and a body of work that generations could sing, dance and gather around.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where to begin listening
The 1977 debut, Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly, is a natural starting point for hearing the band’s early sound. From there, “Before I Let Go” and songs such as “Joy and Pain,” “We Are One” and “Southern Girl” trace the music that kept Maze in the lives of listeners across decades.
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