Current:Home > FinanceFrankie Beverly, soulful 'Before I Let Go' singer and Maze founder, dies at 77-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
Frankie Beverly, soulful 'Before I Let Go' singer and Maze founder, dies at 77
View Date:2024-12-23 18:51:46
Frankie Beverly, the "Before I Let Go" hitmaker with his band Maze, has died. He was 77.
His death on Tuesday was announced by his family on the official Frankie Beverly and Maze Facebook page Wednesday.
"He lived his life with pure soul as one would say, and for us, no one did it better," the family wrote. "He lived for his music, family and friends. Love one another as he would want that for us all."
The family also asked for privacy as they grieve the soul singer's loss.
"Grieving the loss of a loved one is a deeply personal and emotional experience. During this time, as we are navigating feelings of sorrow, reflection, and remembrance we kindly ask for privacy and understanding, allowing us the space to grieve in our own way," the family wrote. "This period for is one of healing, and your respect for our need for solitude is appreciated as we honor the memory of our beloved Howard Stanley Beverly known to the world as Frankie Beverly."
Remembering those we lost: Celebrity Deaths 2024
USA TODAY has reached out to Beverly's rep for comment.
Read about the celebrities you love: Sign up for USA TODAY's Everyone's Talking newsletter.
The Philadelphia native founded Maze, under the original name Raw Soul, in 1970 and would open for Marvin Gaye, who reportedly suggested the name change. The band, also billed as Maze feat. Frankie Beverly, went on to release nine gold albums from the late 1970s to early 1990s, including hits like "Joy and Pain," "We Are One," "Can't Get Over You" and "Golden Time of Day."
More stars we've lost in 2024:James Earl Jones, Sérgio Mendes, Rich Homie Quan
But it was Beverly and Maze's record "Before I Let Go," from their 1981 fifth album, "Live in New Orleans," that the band is most known for, becoming synonymous with Black cookouts, family reunions and other gatherings.
"'Before I Let Go' really did turn out to be something more than I even imagined," Beverly told Essence in 2020. "I got blessed with that."
The upbeat song, he said at the time, is actually about a love lost.
"I was seeing some lady but I was just with someone (else) and we broke up, he told the outlet. "And it got kind of hard because I wasn’t with the woman I wanted to be with and I couldn't stay with the one I was with."
In 2019, Beyoncé covered the track for her "Homecoming" film and corresponding live album following her Coachella performance.
Beverly told Billboard that year that the platinum-selling cover was "one of the high points of my life."
The band remained active in recent years, performing live in their signature all-white at festivals, and touring as recently as earlier this year on the six-city I Wanna Thank You Tour, which also marked his retirement.
In March, Beverly was awarded the lifetime achievement award from the NAACP Image Awards.
veryGood! (4)
Related
- Wisconsin agency issues first round of permits for Enbridge Line 5 reroute around reservation
- Absurd Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce conspiracy theories more right-wing brain rot | Opinion
- U.S. beefing up air defenses at base in Jordan where 3 soldiers were killed in drone attack
- Reports: F1 great Lewis Hamilton linked with shock move from Mercedes to Ferrari in 2025
- Panel advises Illinois commemorate its role in helping slaves escape the South
- These Secrets About Harry Styles Will Have You Late Night Talking
- Man who faked disability to get $600,000 in veterans benefits pleads guilty
- Federal judge dismisses case seeking to force US to pressure Israel to stop bombing Gaza
- Burger King's 'Million Dollar Whopper' finalists: How to try and vote on your favorite
- Inside Stormi Webster's Wildly Extravagant World
Ranking
- NY forest ranger dies fighting fires as air quality warnings are issued in New York and New Jersey
- Mississippi Republican governor again calls for phasing out personal income tax in his budget plan
- Biden's new climate envoy is John Podesta. He has a big domestic climate job too
- Federal Reserve holds its interest rate steady. Here's what that means.
- Burger King's 'Million Dollar Whopper' finalists: How to try and vote on your favorite
- Nebraska lawmaker behind school choice law targets the process that could repeal it
- Biden's new climate envoy is John Podesta. He has a big domestic climate job too
- The pop culture hill I'll die on
Recommendation
-
Pennsylvania House Republicans pick new floor leader after failing to regain majority
-
Mark Zuckerberg accused of having blood on his hands in fiery Senate hearing on internet child safety
-
Fani Willis and top prosecutor Nathan Wade subpoenaed to testify at hearing about relationship allegations
-
House passes bipartisan tax bill to expand child tax credit
-
November 2024 full moon this week is a super moon and the beaver moon
-
Is Elon Musk overpaid? Why a Delaware judge struck down Tesla CEO's $55 billion payday
-
When cybercrime leaves the web: FBI warns that scammers could come right to your door
-
Don’t Miss Out on Vince Camuto’s Sale With up to 50% off & Deals Starting at $55