Legendary soul singer dies at 77

Frankie Beverly, the legendary R&B singer and frontman of the soul band Maze, died on Tuesday. He was 77 years old.

Beverly's family announced the legendary musician's death in a social media post on Wednesday morning. No details were given about the cause of death.

“This time is a time of healing and we appreciate your respect for our need for solitude as we honor the memory of our beloved Howard Stanley Beverly, known to the world as Frankie Beverly. He lived his life with a pure soul as they would say and for us, no one did it better,” the post read. “He lived for his music, his family and his friends. Love one another as he would have wanted us all to love. Howard Stanley Beverly aka Frankie Beverly.”

Beverly, born Howard Stanley Beverly in Philadelphia, was loved for his soothing soul voice, which was the driving force behind Maze.

The band is responsible for hits such as “Joy and Pain”, “We Are One”, “Happy Feelings”, “Southern Girl” and “Love Is the Key”. The song “Before I Let Go”, which hit the charts in 1981, has established itself as a classic rallying cry of the black community and was later covered by Beyoncé.

“There isn’t a barbecue, a wedding or a family reunion in black America where you won’t hear the song,” Essence Magazine wrote in 2017.

Beverly began singing in doo-wop groups in Philadelphia in the '60s before moving west to California, where the band made a name for itself as Maze.

The group released its eponymous debut album in 1977 and went on to release seven more studio albums. Maze wrapped up its “Farewell Tour” in June in Beverly's hometown of Philadelphia after touring for over 50 years.

Beverly leaves behind his son Anthony, who sometimes performed with the group as a drummer.

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