Frankie Beverly’s name resonates as a timeless voice in soul and R&B music, a journey that began far from fame—perhaps simply singing on a street corner as a young boy with a dream.

Born Howard Stanley Beverly on December 6, 1946, in Philadelphia, he started singing gospel in local church gatherings during his youth. Those early street performances and church melodies shaped the foundation for what would become an extraordinary musical legacy.

In 1970, Beverly formed a band originally called Raw Soul. After relocating to San Francisco and gaining the support of legendary artist Marvin Gaye, the group was renamed Maze, a name that would soon become synonymous with heartfelt rhythm and soulful storytelling in music.

Maze signed with Capitol Records in 1976, and their debut album Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly was released in 1977, launching a sequence of hits that defined an era. Songs like “Happy Feelins”, “Joy and Pain”, “Golden Time of Day”, and “Before I Let Go” helped the band build a massive and devoted fan base from the late 1970s through the 1980s.

The influence of Maze’s music extended beyond their core fan community. The widely beloved track “Before I Let Go” was famously covered by global superstar Beyoncé in 2019, marking one of the major highlights of Frankie Beverly’s career and demonstrating the enduring influence of his work.

Throughout their performances, a unique concert tradition emerged: audiences would embrace the all-white attire that Beverly himself often wore—transforming shows into communal celebrations of music and unity.

After more than five decades in music and nine Gold-certified albums, Frankie Beverly passed away on September 10, 2024, at the age of 77. His legacy, however, lives on through his songs, inspiring new generations of listeners around the world.

From singing on the streets to topping R&B charts and becoming the voice of a generation, Frankie Beverly’s journey with Maze remains one of the most powerful stories in music history—an enduring testament to passion, resilience, and soulful artistry.