WASHINGTON — Frankie Beverly, the legendary "Before I Let Go" singer and leader of the soul band Maze, died Tuesday at the age of 77.
"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," the Beverly family announced in a statement on the official Frankie Beverly and Maze Facebook page.
The Philadelphia native's death comes just weeks after Beverly finished a farewell tour this summer with Maze after announcing he would be stepping away from performing live. It was previously announced the band would continue as Maze Honoring Frankie Beverly with Tony Lindsay taking over as lead vocalist.
"Love one another as he would want that for us all," Beverly's family said in their statement. "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. 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."
In May, Philadelphia renamed the street he grew up on after him.
Back in July, Essence Festival, the nation’s largest annual celebration of Black culture, featured a special tribute to Frankie Beverly & Maze, the soul band that closed the event for the festival’s first 15 years.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
