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| birth_place = [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]], U.S.
| birth_place = [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]], U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|2024|9|10|1946|12|6}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|2024|9|10|1946|12|6}}
| death_place =
| death_place = [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]]
| instrument = Vocals, guitar, piano
| instrument = Vocals, guitar, piano
| genre = [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]], [[Soul music|soul]], [[funk]]
| genre = [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]], [[Soul music|soul]], [[funk]]

Revision as of 14:18, 11 September 2024

Frankie Beverly
Beverly in 2002
Beverly in 2002
Background information
Birth nameHoward Beverly
Born(1946-12-06)December 6, 1946
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedSeptember 10, 2024(2024-09-10) (aged 77)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
GenresR&B, soul, funk
Occupation(s)Singer, musician, songwriter, record producer
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar, piano
Years active1963–2024
Formerly ofMaze

Frankie Beverly (born Howard Beverly, December 6, 1946 – September 10, 2024) was an American singer, songwriter, and producer, known primarily for his recordings with the soul and funk band Maze.[1] Beverly formed Maze, originally called Raw Soul, in his hometown of Philadelphia in 1970. After a relocation to San Francisco and an introduction to Marvin Gaye, Maze went on to release nine Gold albums and create a large and devoted following. Beverly is the band's writer, producer and lead singer. He is known for his distinctive smooth baritone voice and charismatic stage presence.

Early life and career

Beverly was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,[1] and started out singing gospel music as a schoolboy in a local church. He was raised in the East Germantown section of the city and was a graduate of the now defunct Germantown High School.

As a teenager he formed The Blenders, a short-lived a cappella doo-wop group that were influenced by The Dells, The Moonglows, and The Del Vikings. After that outfit dissolved, he founded The Butlers (subsequently Frankie Beverly and the Butlers), which would be the first group he recorded with in 1963.[1] In 1967, he cut "If That's What You Wanted", which became a Northern soul standard. As time passed, they caught the attention of the record producer Kenny Gamble, who eventually released recordings by the group.[2]

It turned out that music performed by The Butlers did not fit into the "Philly Sound"[citation needed], and after some heavy touring, the group relocated to California. The unit was re-christened as Raw Soul and caught the attention of a sister-in-law to Marvin Gaye.[1] Gaye featured them as an opening act at his shows, and also convinced Beverly to change the band's name to Maze.[1]

The group's popularity was enhanced considerably in the UK by DJs Greg Edwards and Robbie Vincent in the late 1970s and early 1980s when they performed live at London's Lyceum Ballroom for broadcast on Capital Radio. They are best known there for their UK No. 57 hit single "Joy and Pain".[3]

In 2019, Beverly's hit single with Maze "Before I Let Go" was covered by American singer Beyoncé as a bonus track on her fifth live album Homecoming: The Live Album. Beverly told Billboard that the cover was "one of the high points of (his) life... in a class of its own" and made him "feel bigger than ever! I feel like I have a huge smash out there."[4]

Death

Beverly died on September 10, 2024, at the age of 77.[5]

Style

Beverly's onstage attire (all-white custom designed and made, casual clothing, including slacks, long-sleeved shirt, and a baseball cap) has become his signature dress style over the years. It has become tradition for the audience to wear all white to the concerts in honor of the group.

His son, Anthony, who has toured as a drummer with Maze, along with his former wife, entertainment attorney Heather Beverly, organized a tribute album to Anthony's father called 'Silky Soul Music...an All-Star Tribute to Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly' in 2009, together founding the record label Brantera, as an homage to the work of Maze. Mary J. Blige, Kenneth Brian Edmonds (Babyface) and Mint Condition were among the artists taking part on the album.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Colin Larkin, ed. (2003). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Eighties Music (Third ed.). Virgin Books. pp. 331/2. ISBN 1-85227-969-9.
  2. ^ Morris, Wesley; Wortham, Jenna; Dudley, Elyssa; Sarasohn, Sara; Weiss, Sasha; Fletcher, Phyllis; Lozano, Marion; Chablani, Mahima; Ibekwe, Desiree (May 20, 2021). "'Before I Let Go' is a Black Anthem and the Song of Every Summer". The New York Times.
  3. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 357. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  4. ^ "Frankie Beverly Responds to Beyonce Covering His Maze Hit 'Before I Let Go'". Billboard. April 24, 2019.
  5. ^ "Legendary Singer Frankie Beverly Passes Away at 77". Baller Alert. September 11, 2024. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  6. ^ Michael Baisden Show- "B-Side Artist" page Archived July 14, 2011, at the Wayback Machine Accessed October 24, 2009.
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