PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) – It’s hard to let go of the man who was applauded by audiences around the world. For the cousins of singer and songwriter Frankie Beverly, he was the man who applauded the songs of their lives.
The day after representatives announced Beverly was dead, second cousin Avis (Mama Dub) Webb, sported the “Frankie Beverly look.” Often his fans mirrored his fashionable white baseball cap, a white collarless shirt and white slacks that appeared to be made of linen.
“Yes, I am. He loves it. He loves it. Every time he saw white on me, he just he go to me and just give me a hug and Frankie was just amazing,” said Webb.
While on tour, he would stop at his cousin’s home in Newport News to cheer for her son little B.W. Webb. This third cousin would grow up to become an NFL player.
“Yeah, my son, the former NFL player B.W. Webb. Yeah, Frankie spoiled him. Every time he saw him, he had tickets for his friends to go to the show. They loved him.”
In January, for the last time, Beverly, weakened by five decades of writing, producing, performing, and touring gave the 757 his best: Southern Girl, Joy and Pain, the Golden Time of Day and more. Some call it the soundtrack of summer cookouts.
Cousin LaTaunya Beverly-Winter said his music taught people how to love each other. She added, “It taught people how to recognize within yourself how you should feel or how you should treat others. That’s what I got from that. You could be down and you cut on that song and you’re back up because of the soul in the music and the words he was teaching you.”
Frankie headlined the Hampton Jazz Festival for many years.
His family issued the following statement:
The Beverly FamilyGrieving the loss of a loved one is a deeply personal and emotional experience. During this time, as we are navigating feelings of sorrow, reflection, and remembrance we kindly ask for privacy and understanding, allowing us the space to grieve in our own way. This period for is one of healing, and your respect for our need for solitude is appreciated as we honor the memory of our beloved Howard Stanley Beverly known to the world as Frankie Beverly.
He lived his life with pure soul as one would say, and for us, no one did it better. He lived for his music, family and friends.
Love one another as he would want that for us all.
Howard Stanley Beverly aka Frankie Beverly
12/6/46 – 9/10/24
Frankie Beverly, the frontman for the group Maze, was 77. A cause of death has not been released.
The cousins told WAVY Frankie’s real name is Howard Beverly and his mother is buried in the area of King and Queen County, Virginia. Funeral arrangements are pending.