A consistent hitmaker on the R&B charts for almost 50 years, he had announced just this year that he would be retiring.
Frankie Beverly, the lead singer and songwriter of the soul and funk band Maze, whose songs, including “Golden Time of Day,” “Joy and Pain” and “Happy Feelin’s,” provided the soundtrack to countless summer cookouts and family reunions for more than five decades, died on Tuesday. He was 77.
His death was announced in a statement by his family on his Instagram account. The statement did not say where he died or cite a cause.
“He lived his life with pure soul, as one would say, and for us, no one did it better,” the statement said. “He lived for his music, family and friends.”
Mr. Beverly had announced a farewell tour this year with a handful of dates. He had said that he would retire after going on the road one last time.
“Thank you so much for the support given to me for over 50 years as I pass on the lead vocalist torch to Tony Lindsay,” Mr. Beverly said in a statement to Billboard at the time. “The band will continue on as Maze Honoring Frankie Beverly. It’s been a great ride through the decades. Let the music of my legacy continue.”
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Source: Music - nytimes.com
