This spring, the City of Philadelphia will honor the legacy of Frankie Beverly, who began his decades-long musical journey with the Butlers, then Raw Soul, the latter would become Frankie Beverly and Maze.
The celebration will be in the form of a street renaming ceremony – a presentation of Councilperson Cindy Bass and the Philadelphia City Council with Maze Management.
The ceremony is also being sponsored by the Black Promoters Collective – a coalition of six of the nation’s top independent concert promotion and event production companies.
It is a 100% Black-owned business whose mission is to be the world’s leading producer and provider of culturally relevant live entertainment experiences. To learn more, visit www.blackpromoterscollective.com
The event will take place on Saturday, May 18th, 2024, at 12-noon, in the East Germantown area of Philadelphia on North Norwood Street, between Church Lane and West Godfrey – the neighborhood where Frankie Beverly was raised.
Beverly is known for classic hits such as Joy & Pain, We Are One, Southern Girl, Happy Feelin’s as well as the unofficial theme for summertime cookouts and celebrations, Before I Let Go. The founder/leader/chief songwriter of Maze will retire from touring this summer.
Noted Philadelphia media veterans Dyana Williams and Patty Jackson will serve as spokespersons for the Frankie Beverly Street renaming celebration.
Each are available for press, radio and television interviews and commentaries regarding the event.
“Frankie Beverly is one of the preeminent, clarion voices in the royal court of Black music,” states Ms. Williams. “For decades, the Philadelphia native has been a global ambassador of Black culture, sharing via his lyrics and music the intricacies of the ‘joy and pain’ of living!” Ms. Jackson notes, “What an honor it’s going to be, paying tribute to this Philly music legend.
His classic tune, ‘Before I Let Go’, is in my opinion the unofficial Black National Anthem! As a radio personality in Philadelphia on WDAS-FM, it’s an honor to play Frankie’s records on my shows. Frankie Beverly is the Music…the Culture…the fabric of our lives. he is Philly!”
Frankie Beverly’s journey in music began in the 1960s in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
He started with a doo-wop group called The Blenders while still in high school. Later, he joined a group known as The Butlers as a guitarist and singer, which eventually evolved into Raw Soul.
In the early 1970s, Raw Soul relocated to San Francisco and changed their name to Maze featuring Frankie Beverly. This marked the beginning of their rise to prominence. With Beverly as the lead vocalist, songwriter, and producer, Maze’s music combined elements of soul, funk, and R&B, creating a distinctive sound that resonated with audiences.
Maze gained significant attention with their second album, “Golden Time of Day” (1978), which featured hits like “Joy and Pain” and “Southern Girl.” Throughout the late 1970s and 1980s, they released several successful albums and singles, becoming known for their electrifying live performances and Beverly’s charismatic stage presence.
Despite never achieving the same mainstream success as some of their contemporaries, Frankie Beverly and Maze maintained a dedicated fan base and continued to tour extensively. Their music, characterized by smooth, soulful melodies and infectious grooves, left a lasting impact on R&B and soul.
In the 21st century, Frankie Beverly and Maze continued to perform and record, though at a slower pace. Beverly expressed a desire to retire from touring to spend more time with family and pursue other interests. Nevertheless, their music remains timeless, inspiring audiences worldwide and cementing their legacy as icons of soul music.
