Maze singer Frankie Beverly has died aged 77, his family have confirmed.
The soul star – known for hits such as Before I Let Go and Can’t Get Over You – died on Tuesday.
Beverly’s family announced the news on social media, saying in a statement that he lived his life with “pure soul”.
The singer’s cause of death has not been confirmed.
‘No-one did it better’
“Grieving the loss of a loved one is a deeply personal and emotional experience,” Beverly’s family said in a statement.
“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.
“This period for is one of healing, and your respect for our need for solitude is appreciated as we honour the memory of our beloved Howard Stanley Beverly known to the world as Frankie Beverly.
“He lived his life with pure soul as one would say, and for us, no-one did it better. He lived for his music, family and friends. Love one another as he would want that for us all.”
Beverly’s music career began in the 1960s with the doo-wop group The Blenders, before later forming the soul group The Butlers.
Maze were formed by Beverly in Philadelphia in 1970, but they were originally called Raw Soul.
They were convinced to change their name by Marvin Gaye, who they supported on tour.
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The band went on to release nine albums, between 1977 and 1993, and their hits included Happy Feelings and While I’m Alone.
Beyoncé covered Beverly’s hit single Before I Let Go in 2019 as a bonus track on Homecoming: The Live Album.
Beverly later told Billboard that the cover made him “feel bigger than ever”.
“She’s a great friend of mine, but I didn’t know she was going to do this,” he said at the time.
He added that it was “one of the high points of [his] life”.
Additionally, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens released a statement in response to Beverly’s death. Beverly performed several times in the metro Atlanta area.
“I join the rest of the world in mourning the passing of the legendary musician, singer, songwriter and producer Frankie Beverly. Earlier this year, I had the honour of presenting him with the Phoenix Award—the City of Atlanta’s highest honour—in recognition of his timeless musical contributions and extraordinary impact on the entertainment industry.
“Frankie’s sold-out concerts at Chastain Amphitheater created memories for countless Atlantans and visitors from across the region. His music was truly the soundtrack to many of our lives and my thoughts are with his family, all who loved him and all who were impacted by his gifts.”
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