Born as Howard Stanley Beverly in Philadelphia, his journey from singing gospel in a local church as a schoolboy to becoming one of the most influential figures in soul and R&B music is nothing short of remarkable. Growing up in the East Germantown section of Philadelphia, young Howard was surrounded by the rich musical culture of his community, instilling in him a deep passion for music early on.

As a teenager, the boy who once carried a guitar in place of schoolbooks formed his first musical groups, including The Blenders and later The Butlers, marking the beginning of his lifelong pursuit of musical excellence. Through these early experiences, he honed his skills as a singer, musician, and songwriter.

In the early 1970s, Beverly and his bandmates formed Raw Soul, which evolved into the legendary band Maze. A pivotal moment came when soul music icon Marvin Gaye discovered the group in San Francisco, helping them secure a record deal with Capitol Records and encouraging Beverly to rename the band Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly.

Their debut album became an instant hit and launched a series of successful releases. Over the next two decades, Maze produced nine Gold-certified albums and earned loyal fans around the world with timeless classics like “Joy and Pain,” “Before I Let Go,” and “Feel That You’re Feelin’.”

The cultural impact of Maze’s music reached new heights when Beyoncé covered “Before I Let Go” in her live album, a moment Beverly described as one of the crowning achievements of his career.

Frankie Beverly’s legacy transcends his music records. He redefined live performances and connected with audiences on a personal level through his soulful voice. Though he passed away on September 10, 2024, at the age of 77, his influence continues to inspire musicians and music lovers around the globe.