Tributes to the late Frankie Beverly are still in full swing after the tragic news sent shockwaves throughout the music and entertainment industry around the world.
In addition to reactions from Jalen Hurts, Luke James, Alex Isley and Sheila E. to Beverly’s death at the tender age of 77, Beyoncé issued an official statement through her company Parkwood Entertainment.
The singer wrote: “Thank you Frankie Beverly for bringing us all together with your music. You wrote some of the most inspiring and uplifting songs for the world to enjoy. With your lyrics you humanized our experiences through joy and pain. Thank you for teaching us the importance of community, family and togetherness. We will never forget you. May you rest in peace.”
Beyoncé reinterpreted Maze and Beverly’s classic “Before I Let Go” in 2019. The song peaked at number 65 on the Billboard Hot 100 after being featured in her musical film Before I Let Go. HOMERETURN.
The original record, written and produced by Beverly, was released in 1981 and reached number 13 on the Billboard R&B charts.
Before his death, the Philly native retired from music and received some well-deserved flowers with his farewell tour. He was also honored with a special tribute at this year’s ESSENCE Fest, curated by Bryan-Michael Cox. Doug E. Fresh, Bilal, Anthony Hamilton, Luke James, Jagged Edge and others came to pay their respects to the crooner as he bid farewell.
The Beverly family confirmed his death in a statement on Wednesday (September 11). While they asked for privacy during their mourning, they said, “He lived his life with a pure soul, as you would say, and for us, no one did it better. He lived for his music, his family and his friends,” and urged fans to “love one another as he would have wanted for all of us.”
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