Frankie Beverly's illness and cause of death explained: what happened to the Maze singer?
Frankie Beverly’s illness and cause of death have remained private, prompting speculation and concern. While reports indicate he experienced throat issues during early 2024 performances, the official cause of death was never disclosed by his family.

Source: Getty Images
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Frankie Beverly passed away on 10 September 2024.
- His cause of death has not been publicly disclosed by his family or representatives.
- No prior reports indicated illness or hospitalisation before his passing.
- He completed his farewell tour just months before his death.
Frankie Beverly's profile summary
Full name | Howard Stanley Beverly |
Date of birth | 6 December 1946 |
Age at death | 77 years old (at death) |
Date of death | 10 September 2024 |
Zodiac sign | Sagittarius |
Place of birth | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA |
Place of death | Walnut Creek, California, United States |
Nationality | American |
Ethnicity | African-American |
Religion | Baptist |
Height | 6' (182 cm) |
Weight | 170 lbs (77 kg) |
Hair colour | Black |
Eye colour | Dark brown |
Siblings | 7 |
Children | Anthony Beverly |
Profession | Singer, songwriter, and producer |
Music group | Maze |
Frankie Beverly's illness and legacy in his final days
Although Frankie Beverly died in September 2024, no verified details have emerged regarding any prolonged illness. The singer’s family and management have been respectful but discreet, choosing not to share any personal health information. Part of the family's statement read,
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...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.
This has led to significant speculation online, with many wondering whether he had a private battle with an undisclosed medical condition.
Despite turning 77, Beverly remained active and vibrant. He concluded his I Wanna Thank You farewell tour earlier in 2024. Those close to him, including fellow artists, revealed that he showed no outward signs of failing health leading up to his final shows.

Source: Original
What happened to Frankie Beverly after his final tour?
Following the completion of his farewell tour in mid-2024, Frankie Beverly quietly retreated from public life. He made no public appearances in the months before his death, but his team did not issue any concerns about his condition.
In a touching farewell during the final tour, Beverly told Billboard,
I want to share with my lifelong fans and associates that I’ll be going out on the road one last time, then retire. Thank you so much for the support given to me for over 50 years as I pass on the lead vocalist torch to Tony Lindsay. The band will continue on as Maze Honoring Frankie Beverly. It’s been a great ride through the decades. Let the music of my legacy continue.

Source: Getty Images
Frankie Beverly’s funeral and public tributes
According to US Tonight, rather than a sombre event, Frankie Beverly’s funeral honoured his musical legacy through joyous dancing, white handkerchiefs, and heartfelt energy; a tribute perfectly in tune with his soulful spirit and the unity his music inspired.
It was an event marked with a vibrant New Orleans-style celebration filled with second-line dancers, brass bands, and thousands of fans lining Frankie Beverly Way.
Celebrity tributes poured in, with Beyoncé Knowles calling him the “soundtrack of my childhood” and Stevie Wonder performing Ribbon in the Sky, tearfully remembering him as “a brother.” His son, Anthony Beverly, described the event as a celebration “just as Dad would have wanted.”
Why did Frankie Beverly only wear white?
For decades, Beverly was known for his iconic all-white stage outfits, a symbol that came to define both him and Maze. While fans speculated it symbolised purity or unity, Beverly never publicly confirmed its meaning.

Source: Getty Images
Frankie Beverly’s net worth and career reflections
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Frankie Beverly's net worth at the time of his death was $500,000.
From their hit Before I Let Go to sold-out performances, Beverly’s influence on the genre was immense, though under-acknowledged by the mainstream music industry. Maze’s catalogue remains one of the most cherished in soul music history.
FAQs
Was Frankie Beverly cremated?
According to Find A Grave, Frankie was cremated. He also had two funerals, with a memorial happening in New Orleans.
Did Frankie Beverly have a wife and kids?
Frankie Beverly was never married, but he did have one child, a son named Anthony Beverly. Anthony has followed closely in his father’s musical footsteps. In a 2023 interview with Cheron Moore, he revealed that he began playing drums at the age of four, inspired by his father’s passion and career in music.

Source: Getty Images
Was Frankie Beverly sick?
It remains unclear whether Frankie Beverly was hospitalised. His family did not publicly disclose any major medical conditions or confirm whether he had been hospitalised before passing away.
Conclusion
Frankie Beverly’s illness and cause of death remain a mystery, as his family continues to honour his privacy. Though his final moments are not publicly documented, his music and legacy live on through the memories of fans, his family, and the band he led with grace for over five decades.
READ MORE: Bernie Mac's cause of death explained: The rare condition he battled
Briefly.co.za shared an article about Bernie Mac's cause of death. He passed away in 2008 due to pneumonia complications after battling sarcoidosis for decades. His wife, Rhonda, recalled his final moments and the deep emotional toll his loss took on the family.
Although Bernie’s sarcoidosis had been in remission, doctors believe medications for the disease may have weakened his immune system. His legacy endures, not just through his comedy, but in the ongoing awareness of rare health conditions like sarcoidosis.
Source: Briefly News