Music fans here in Philadelphia and around the world have reason to mourn on Wednesday: legendary R&B artist, songwriter and producer Frankie Beverly has died.
On Wednesday morning, Beverly’s family announced that the founder of the funk and soul band Maze – real name Howard Stanley Beverly – had died the day before.
“Grief over the loss of a loved one is a deeply personal and emotional experience. During this time as we grapple with feelings of grief, reflection and remembrance, we politely ask for privacy and understanding so that we have the space to grieve in our own way,” the family wrote in an online message. “This time is a time 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.”
The family statement continued that Beverly “lived his life with pure soul, as you would say, and for us, no one did it better. He lived for his music, his family and his friends. Love one another as he would have wanted us all to love.”
Beverley was born in Philadelphia and attended Germantown High School in his youth.
According to NBC10’s news partner the Philadelphia Tribune, his musical career began with the formation of the Blenders before recording several songs with the Butlers.
“After catching the attention of legendary songwriter and producer Kenny Gamble, the group released several tracks on Philly-based record label Cameo Parkway,” Tribune correspondent OJ Spivey wrote of Beverley’s early days after the musician was recently honored by having the 6000 block of Norwood Street in Germantown named after him.
After moving to the West Coast, Beverly’s group changed its name first to Raw Soul and then to Maze, with which Beverly released nine gold albums.
Earlier this year, Beverley gave a farewell concert at the Dell Music Center in North Philadelphia after 50 years of performing and touring.
His family has not released any further details about Beverly’s cause of death.
