Frankie Beverly facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Frankie Beverly
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Beverly in 2002
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Howard Beverly |
| Born | December 6, 1946 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | September 10, 2024 (aged 77) |
| Genres | R&B, soul, funk |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, musician, songwriter, record producer |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar, piano |
| Years active | 1963–2024 |
Frankie Beverly (born Howard Beverly, December 6, 1946 – September 10, 2024) was an American singer, songwriter, and producer. He was best known for his work with the soul and funk band Maze. Beverly started the band, first called Raw Soul, in his hometown of Philadelphia in 1970.
After moving to San Francisco and meeting Marvin Gaye, Maze released nine Gold-certified albums. They gained many dedicated fans. Beverly was the band's writer, producer, and lead singer. People knew him for his smooth baritone voice and exciting stage presence.
Early Music Journey
Frankie Beverly was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As a schoolboy, he began singing gospel music in a local church. He grew up in the East Germantown area of the city.
As a teenager, he formed a short-lived singing group called The Blenders. They sang without instruments, a style known as doo-wop. Later, he started another group called The Butlers. This was the first group he recorded music with, back in 1963. In 1967, he recorded a song called "If That's What You Wanted." This song became a classic in the Northern soul music scene.
The music of The Butlers did not quite fit the popular "Philly Sound" of the time. After touring a lot, the group moved to California. They changed their name to Raw Soul. There, they caught the attention of a relative of the famous singer Marvin Gaye. Gaye invited them to open his shows. He also convinced Beverly to change the band's name to Maze.
Maze's Rise to Fame
Maze's popularity grew a lot, especially in the UK. DJs like Greg Edwards and Robbie Vincent helped them become famous in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Maze performed live at London's Lyceum Ballroom, and their shows were broadcast on Capital Radio. Their song "Joy and Pain" became a UK hit, reaching No. 57 on the charts.
In 2019, American singer Beyoncé covered Maze's hit song "Before I Let Go." She included it as a bonus track on her live album Homecoming: The Live Album. Beverly told Billboard that this cover was "one of the high points of (his) life." He said it made him "feel bigger than ever!"
Frankie Beverly's Style
Frankie Beverly had a special look when he performed on stage. He always wore all-white, custom-made casual clothes. This included slacks, a long-sleeved shirt, and a baseball cap. This all-white outfit became his signature style over the years. Because of this, it became a tradition for fans to wear all white to Maze concerts to honor the group.
Frankie's son, Anthony, played drums with Maze on tour. Anthony and his mother, Heather Beverly, organized a tribute album for Frankie in 2009. It was called Silky Soul Music...an All-Star Tribute to Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly. They also started a record label named Brantera to honor Maze's work. Famous artists like Mary J. Blige, Babyface, and Mint Condition took part in this tribute album.
Passing Away
Frankie Beverly passed away on September 10, 2024. He was 77 years old.
