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Renowned “Before I Let Go” singer Frankie Beverly, frontman of the band Maze, has passed away at the age of 77.
His family announced his passing on Tuesday in a post on the official Frankie Beverly and Maze Facebook page on Wednesday.
“He lived his life with pure soul, and for us, no one did it better,” his family wrote. “He dedicated his life to his music, family, and friends. Let’s love one another as he would have wanted.”
The family has requested privacy during this difficult time as they mourn Beverly’s loss.
“Grieving a loved one is a deeply personal and emotional journey. We are navigating feelings of sorrow, reflection, and remembrance and kindly ask for privacy and understanding during this time, allowing us the space to grieve in our own way,” the family shared. “This period 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.”
USA TODAY has reached out to Beverly’s representative for comment.
Beverly, a Philadelphia native, founded Maze (originally named Raw Soul) in 1970. Marvin Gaye, a friend, suggested the band’s current name. Maze, also known as Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, released nine gold albums from the late 1970s to the early 1990s, featuring hits such as “Joy and Pain,” “We Are One,” “Can’t Get Over You,” and “Golden Time of Day.”
But it is “Before I Let Go,” from their 1981 album “Live in New Orleans,” that remains their most iconic track, becoming a staple at Black cookouts, family reunions, and other gatherings.
“‘Before I Let Go’ turned out to be more than I ever imagined,” Beverly told Essence in 2020. “I was blessed with that.”
Beverly explained that the upbeat song is actually about lost love. He shared with Essence, “I was seeing a lady, but I had just ended a relationship with someone else. It was hard because I wasn’t with the woman I wanted to be with and couldn’t stay with the one I was with.”
In 2019, Beyoncé covered “Before I Let Go” for her “Homecoming” film and live album following her Coachella performance. Beverly described the platinum-selling cover to Billboard as “one of the high points of my life.”
Maze continued to perform live, donning their signature all-white outfits and touring as recently as earlier this year on the six-city “I Wanna Thank You Tour,” which also marked Beverly’s retirement.
In March, Frankie Beverly was honored with the lifetime achievement award from the NAACP Image Awards.