CNN
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Frankie Beverly, who with his band Maze gave the world an anthem that will forever be associated with barbecues and good times, died on Tuesday, his family announced.

He was 77.

Beverly’s family posted a statement on the band’s social media accounts, which began, “Grieving the loss of a loved one is a deeply personal and emotional experience.”

“During this time, as we navigate feelings of grief, reflection, and remembrance, we kindly ask for privacy and understanding so that we may have the space to grieve in our own way,” their statement continued. “This is a time of healing, and your respect for our need for solitude is appreciated as we honor the memory of our beloved Howard Stanley Beverly, known worldwide as Frankie Beverly.”

The family continued: “He lived his life with a pure soul, as one would say, and for us no one did it better.”

“He lived for his music, family and friends. Please love each other as he would have us all,” concluded the statement signed by the Beverly family. Howard Stanley Beverly aka Frankie Beverly 12/6/46 – 9/10/24.”

No cause of death was shared. CNN has reached out to Beverly’s rep for comment.

Born in Philadelphia, Beverly began playing music at an early age, performing as a soloist in church while growing up in the East Germantown neighborhood.

As a teenager he sang with an ensemble called The Silhouettes before forming his own doo-wop group, The Blenders.

According to legend, Beverly changed his first name to Frankie for the stage, in tribute to singer Frankie Lymon, who rose to fame for his doo-wop vocals in the group Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers.

In 1970, Beverly formed the group Maze, originally known as Raw Soul.

Their blend of soul, funk and R&B reportedly caught the attention of legendary singer Marvin Gaye, who invited them to tour with him as his opening act.

It would open the door to years of hits and success for Beverly and the band with hits such as “Joy and Pain,” “Golden Time of Day,” “We Are One,” “Happy Feelin’s” and a song that was touted as “the unofficial theme of summer and every gathering of people who have come to party – ‘Before I Let Go!'” according to the band’s website.

“Before I Let Go” became such a staple in the black community that Beyoncé covered it for her 2019 concert film “Homecoming.” It’s also the subject of a 2021 episode of Jenna Wortham and Wesley Morris’s New York Times podcast, “Still Processing.”

“She kept it quiet until one day her people called me… when they played it, I was blown away,” Beverly said of the Beyoncé performance. “It’s one of the highlights of my life.”

Beverly and Maze continued to tour for decades, and in 2012 Beverly received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the BET Awards. Earlier this year, he announced his retirement.