Frankie Beverly

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Frankie Beverly
Beverly in 2002
Beverly in 2002
Background information
Birth nameHoward Stanley Beverly
Born(1946-12-06)December 6, 1946
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedSeptember 10, 2024(2024-09-10) (aged 77)
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • musician
  • songwriter
  • record producer
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • piano
Years active1963–2024
Formerly ofMaze

Howard Stanley Beverly (December 6, 1946 – September 10, 2024), known as Frankie Beverly, was an American singer, songwriter, and producer known primarily for his recordings with the soul and funk band Maze.[1] He formed Maze, originally called Raw Soul, in his hometown of Philadelphia in 1970. After moving to San Francisco and an introduction to Marvin Gaye, Maze later released nine Gold albums and created a large and devoted following.

Early life and career

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Howard Stanley Beverly was born in Philadelphia[1] and began singing gospel music as a schoolboy in a local church.[2] He grew up in the East Germantown section of the city and was a graduate of the now defunct Germantown High School.[2]

As a teenager, he formed The Blenders, a short-lived a cappella doo-wop group that was influenced by The Dells, The Moonglows, and The Del Vikings. After the group dissolved, he started The Butlers in 1963 (which later became Frankie Beverly and the Butlers). It was the first group with which he recorded.[1] In 1967, he cut "If That's What You Wanted", which became a Northern soul standard. The group caught the attention of record producer Kenny Gamble, who eventually released their recordings.[3]

Music performed by The Butlers did not fit into the "Philly Sound"[citation needed] and, after some heavy touring, the group went to San Francisco. The unit was re-christened as Raw Soul and caught the attention of Marvin Gaye's sister-in-law.[1] Gaye featured them as an opening act at his shows and 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".[4]

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."[5]

Keith Washington also covered "Before I Let Go", renamed, "We Need to Talk Before I Let Go", on his "You Make it Easy" album, 1993.

Style

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Beverly's onstage attire (all-white custom-designed and made casual clothing, including slacks, a long-sleeved shirt, and a baseball cap) became his signature dress style over the years.[2] It was a tradition for the audience to wear all white to the concerts in honor of the group.

His son, Anthony, who 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 in the album.[6]

Death

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Beverly died on September 10, 2024, at the age of 77.[7][8][9][10][11][12]

Honors

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In 2006, Beverly received the Rhythm and Blues Foundation Pioneer Award.[13][14]

At the BET Awards 2012, Beverly received a Lifetime Achievement Award.[15][16]

On February 25, 2024, Beverly received a TV One Urban One Honors Living Legend Award.[17][18][19][20]

On March 14, 2024, Beverly received the NAACP Image Awards Lifetime Achievement Award.[21]

On May 18, 2024, Philadelphia City Council named the Germantown street that Beverly grew up in his honor.[22]

See also

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References

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  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. ^ a b c Sweeting, Adam (September 16, 2024). "Frankie Beverly obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 357. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  5. ^ "Frankie Beverly Responds to Beyonce Covering His Maze Hit 'Before I Let Go'". Billboard. April 24, 2019.
  6. ^ Silky Soul Music: An All-Star Tribute to Maze Various Artists at AllMusic. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  7. ^ Mitman, Hayden (September 11, 2024). "Legendary R&B artist, native Philadelphian Frankie Beverly dies at 77". NBC10 Philadelphia.
  8. ^ Grein, Paul (June 13, 2022). "Here Are All the Recipients of BET's Lifetime Achievement Award". Billboard. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  9. ^ Derrick Bryson Taylor, and Richard Sandomir (September 11, 2024). "Frankie Beverly, Frontman of the Soul Group Maze, Is Dead at 77". The New York Times. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
  10. ^ Karoff, Timothy (September 11, 2024). "Bay Area musical legend Frankie Beverly of Maze dies at 77". San Francisco Gate. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
  11. ^ Smith, Harrison (September 11, 2024). "Frankie Beverly, exuberant singer-songwriter for Maze, dies at 77". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  12. ^ "Frankie Beverly, the Maze singer who inspired generations of fans with lasting anthems, dies at 77". AP News. September 11, 2024. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  13. ^ "Dave's Music Database: Rhythm & Blues Foundation – Pioneer Awards". Dave's Music Database. September 12, 2008. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  14. ^ R&B Foundation (June 21, 2015). Frankie Beverly: R&B Foundation Pioneer Award (2006). Retrieved September 18, 2024 – via YouTube.
  15. ^ Medium, Seattle (September 12, 2024). "IN MEMORIAM: Legendary Soul Icon Frankie Beverly Passes Away At 76". The Seattle Medium. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  16. ^ Grein, Paul (June 13, 2022). "Here Are All the Recipients of BET's Lifetime Achievement Award". Billboard. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  17. ^ "Urban One Honors". TV One. February 12, 2024. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  18. ^ Abraham, Mya (January 4, 2024). "Chlöe, Dionne Warwick, Donald Lawrence, And Frankie Beverly Named 2024 Urban One Honorees". VIBE.com. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  19. ^ Grein, Paul (January 9, 2024). "Dionne Warwick, Mary J. Blige, Chloé Bailey & More to Be Saluted at 2024 Urban One Honors". Billboard. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  20. ^ "Mary J. Blige To Receive Entertainment Icon Award At 2024 Urban One Honors". Essence. January 10, 2024. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  21. ^ Bechara, Diego Ramos (March 7, 2024). "New Edition to Be Inducted Into NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame; Frankie Beverly to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award". Variety. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  22. ^ "Germantown street renamed in honor of Philadelphia musical icon". 6abc Philadelphia. May 18, 2024. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
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