Frankie Beverly, the iconic voice behind Maze, sadly passed away at the age of 77. While fans around the world mourn the loss of this R&B legend, many are also searching for information regarding his funeral service. As of now, details about the Frankie Beverly funeral service have not been officially announced publicly. This article serves to honor his remarkable life and career, and provides guidance on how to stay informed about any potential memorial arrangements.
Frankie Beverly’s Enduring Musical Journey
Although Frankie Beverly and Maze never achieved mainstream pop superstardom to the extent of some of their contemporaries, their impact on R&B and soul music is undeniable. Beverly himself acknowledged a sense of “frustration” about this, despite albums like Golden Time of Day (1978) and We Are One (1983) breaking into the Top 30. However, this allowed Maze to cultivate a unique and devoted fanbase, granting them artistic freedom to explore their distinctive sound, unbound by fleeting trends.
Beverly aptly described their genre-defying nature, stating, “I never saw us as just an R&B group or just a pop group either. It’s not easy to tag us.” Throughout the 70s and 80s, Maze consistently delivered hit after hit on the R&B charts. Their breakthrough Top 10 single, “Workin’ Together” (1978), paved the way for a string of classics including “Feel That You’re Feelin’,” “Southern Girl,” “Running Away,” “Before I Let Go,” “Love Is the Key,” “Too Many Games,” and “I Wanna Be With You.” The albums Back in Stride (1985) and Can’t Get Over You (1989) both reached No. 1 on the R&B charts, with Can’t Stop the Love (1985) and Silky Soul (1989) topping the R&B album chart.
Frankie Beverly performing live at the Essence Music Festival in 2009, showcasing his long-standing connection with fans.
Despite their last album release in 1993 (Back to Basics), Maze’s captivating live performances remained a draw, filling concert halls well into the 2020s. Beverly’s signature smooth and sensual voice, coupled with his iconic all-white attire of slacks, shirt, and baseball cap, were constants in their unforgettable shows. Ben Ratliff of the New York Times perfectly captured the Maze live experience in 2009, describing their concerts as “rehearsed rituals” that created “deep, sentient serenity,” transcending typical pop concert excitement. Beverly himself emphasized the almost magical quality of their live shows, noting, “when you’re cookin’, it starts cookin’. It doesn’t matter how many people is in the room. It’s just a special thing. It’s probably the most powerful form of art.”
Maze’s signature sound, characterized by mesmerizing grooves in tracks like “The Morning After,” “I Wish You Well,” and “Golden Time of Day,” ensured their lasting appeal. Their 1981 hit “Before I Let Go” received a significant boost in popularity when Beyoncé sampled and covered it as a bonus track on her Homecoming: The Live Album (2019). Beverly expressed his amazement, calling it “one of the high points of my life.”
From Philadelphia Churches to Music Icon
Born Howard Beverly in Philadelphia, he grew up in East Germantown. His early musical experiences were rooted in gospel music at a local Baptist church where his father was a deacon. He credited his childhood church upbringing as fundamental to his love for singing. Inspired by Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers, he adopted the name Frankie, a testament to his early musical influences which also included Lloyd Price and Sam Cooke.
His professional journey began at just 12 years old when he toured with The Silhouettes, known for their 1958 hit “Get a Job.” He later formed The Blenders and then The Butlers in 1963, eventually becoming Frankie Beverly and the Butlers. They released singles, including “She’s Gone” (1969), produced by Kenny Gamble, a future founder of Philadelphia International Records.
Influenced by Sly and the Family Stone, Beverly shifted towards a soul and funk direction, renaming his band Raw Soul and relocating to San Francisco. Despite initial struggles, they persevered, building a local following and releasing singles like “Color Blind” (1971), reflecting Beverly’s concern with social justice. A pivotal moment arrived when Marvin Gaye’s sister-in-law saw them perform, leading to an invitation to tour with Gaye in 1976 and a record deal with Capitol Records, facilitated by Gaye. It was also Gaye who suggested the name change to Maze. Beverly even contributed to Gaye’s hit “Got to Give It Up.” Beverly fondly recalled Gaye’s mentorship, saying, “He loved me like a little brother.”
Maze’s debut album, Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly (1977), marked their breakthrough, reaching No. 6 on the R&B chart and achieving gold status with hits like “While I’m Alone” and “Lady of Magic.” Earlier this year, Beverly announced his retirement and embarked on a farewell tour. Philadelphia honored him by renaming a street in East Germantown as Frankie Beverly Way in April. While Maze plans to continue with a new lead vocalist, Tony Lindsay, as Maze Honoring Frankie Beverly, the original voice and spirit of the band will be deeply missed.
In recognition of his contributions, Beverly received a special award from the Essence Festival in New Orleans in July, where Maze had been a recurring and beloved act. In 2012, he and Maze received BET’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Beverly maintained a private personal life but had a long relationship with TV journalist Pam Moore and is survived by his son, Anthony.
Staying Informed About Memorial Services
As fans seek to pay their respects, information regarding Frankie Beverly’s funeral service is eagerly awaited. Official details are typically announced by family or through official channels like Maze’s website or social media. For updates on any potential memorial services or public tributes, please monitor the following:
- Official Maze and Frankie Beverly social media accounts: Check for announcements on platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram.
- Reputable music news websites: Sites like Billboard, Rolling Stone, and The Guardian often provide updates on artist memorials.
- Local Philadelphia news outlets: Given his Philadelphia roots, local news sources may have information regarding services in his hometown.
While the specific details of the Frankie Beverly funeral service remain unannounced, his musical legacy and impact on generations of fans are undeniable and will be celebrated for years to come. This article will be updated if and when official funeral service information becomes available.
