Frankie Beverly, the Maze singer who inspired generations of fans with lasting anthems, dies at 77

NEW ORLEANS -- NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Frankie Beverly, who with his band Maze inspired generations of fans with his smooth, soulful voice and lasting anthems including “Before I Let Go,” has died.He was 77.

His family said in a post on the band's website and social media accounts that Beverly died Tuesday.In the post, which asked for privacy, the family said “he lived his life with pure soul as one would say, and for us, no one did it better.” The post did not say his cause of death or where he died.Beverly, whose songs include “Joy and Pain,” “Love is the Key,” and “Southern Girl,” finished his farewell “I Wanna Thank You Tour” in his hometown of Philadelphia in July.

That same month, the Essence Festival of Culture in New Orleans included a special tribute to Beverly and Maze, who closed out the event for its first 15 years.His performances at the festival — the nation’s largest annual celebration of Black culture — would turn the crowd into a sea of dancing fans, many wearing white clothing like Beverly himself often donned.“Frankie Beverly’s artistry wasn’t just about sound; it was the very thread that stitched together our collective memories and moments of joy,” the festival's organizers said in a statement.

“His melodies will forever echo in our hearts and continue to inspire.”Marc Morial, president of the National Urban League and a former mayor of New Orleans, said Maze's 1981 album “Live In New Orleans” cemented the city’s relationship with Beverly.Morial said he always sat in the front row for Maze’s closeout show at the festival and remembers turning around and seeing a crowd that was “joyful like a choir” singing all of the words with Beverly.“His music had feeling.

It had positive themes of love, happiness, family and togetherness,” Morial said.“It was just electrical and magical and it’s what made us fall in love with him.”Howard Stanley Beverly, born Dec.

6, 1946 in Philadelphia, was ...