A.D. Amorosi Frankie Beverly, the stylish singer, songwriter and founder of the R&B/funk band Maze, whose baritone voice drove such ‘80s hits as “Back in Stride,” “Too Many Games,” “Before I Let Go” and “Can’t Get Over You,” died Tuesday, according to a social media post from his family.
No cause of death was announced; he was 77. “We honor the memory of our beloved Howard Stanley Beverly known to the world as Frankie Beverly,” the statement reads, which includes a request to respect the family’s privacy. “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. “Love one another, as he would want that for us all.” While not quite at the level of contemporaries such as Earth, Wind & Fire or Parliament-Funkadelic, Frankie Beverly and Maze created deeply contagious melodies, tight rhythms and its leader’s elegant, silken vocal style.
Indeed, his vocals perfectly matched his signature stage attire of all-white, casual clothing and baseball caps – something live audiences shared en masse during Maze concerts.
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