Frankie Beverly

As their founder, songwriter, producer, and lead singer, Frankie Beverly is inextricably linked with Maze, a key R&B act of the 1970s and '80s. Starting with their 1977 debut, they honed a relaxed, rich, and joyous sound that promoted positivity. While firmly rooted in Philadelphia -- if based in San Francisco -- Maze were distinct from the Philly soul groups, and while much of what they made was suited for dancing, they were never disco. They also didn't appeal to the mainstream, yet all eight of their studio albums were Top Ten R&B hits, and seven went gold, promoted with Black radio staples such as "Southern Girl" (1980), "Joy and Pain" (1980), and "Before I Let Go" (1981), along with chart-toppers "Back in Stride" (1985) and "Can't Get Over You" (1989). Remarkably, Beverly kept the group's bright sound contemporary without following trends. They remained tireless performers until 2024, the year of Beverly's death.