Beverly Frankie Obituary: On Wednesday, September 11, 2024, American singer-songwriter-producer Frankie Beverly, who was best known for his work with the soul and funk group Maze, departed this life at the age of 77.
In 1970, Beverly founded Maze—originally known as Raw Soul—in his native Philadelphia. Following his move to San Francisco and his introduction to Marvin Gaye, Maze went on to amass a sizable and passionate fan base and release nine Gold albums. The principal singer, producer, and writer for the group is Beverly. His captivating stage presence and unique, velvety baritone voice have made him well-known.
The loss of renowned R&B singer Frankie Beverly saddens us much. During his career, he frequently graced the stages of Greensboro Coliseum Complex, “including this incredible performance at White Oak Amphitheatre in 2011,” the venue noted in a Facebook remembrance post.
Beverly began her singing career as a youngster at a neighborhood church, where she sang gospel music. She was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Raised in the city’s East Germantown neighborhood, he attended Germantown High School, which is now closed.
Influenced by The Dells, The Moonglows, and The Del Vikings, he founded The Blenders as a teenager and they disbanded quickly. They sang a cappella doo-wop. Following the dissolution of that group, he went on to form The Butlers (later known as Frankie Beverly and the Butlers), which would be his first recording group in 1963. He recorded “If That’s What You Wanted” in 1967, and it went on to become a Northern soul song. Over time, they drew the interest of record producer Kenny Gamble, who eventually put the group’s records out.
The Butlers moved to California after extensive traveling, as it proved out that their music did not fit into the “Philly Sound.” After being renamed Raw Soul, the group attracted the interest of Marvin Gaye’s sister-in-law. In addition to having them open for him on tour, Gaye persuaded Beverly to rename the group Maze.