A Philly boy, a Philly band, and Maze makes magic. Frankie Beverly is his name, and Maze became his band, and together they made beautiful and magical music that flowed through cookouts, family reunions, and marriages across the country. Frankie’s distinctive sound, a sweet yet husky tenor, an impeccably tight band, and on occasion, a bevy of back-up singers moved the hearts of millions with hits like “Joy and Pain,” “Southern Girl”, “Golden Time of Day,” “Before I Let Go,” and “Reason,” some of the gems that funked the house up.
His and their songs were keyed to that greatest of gifts, Black love, as exampled by their wonderful work in the song, “We Are One,” and of course, “Love is the Key.” Philly born and Philly bred, they began as a soul band before becoming Maze. That next step made them the magical musicians that they became. Several days ago after seventy seven summers, Frankie Beverly returned to the source of celestial music. The pain of his passing is only assuaged by the joy that he and Maze brought to millions in their music.
With love, not fear, this is Mumia Abu-Jamal.
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