Philadelphia legend, soul singer Frankie Beverly dies at 77, family announces

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The world is remembering music icon Frankie Beverly after the soul singer passed away on Tuesday.

His musical appeal spanned the globe, but he got his start right here in Philadelphia.

"He used to sing around here all the time," said Alan Mathis, a drummer and longtime resident of Germantown, where Beverly grew up. Mathis says watching Beverly inspired him to become a drummer.

"They had like a doo-wop group," he said of Beverly's early years when he could be found practicing with his band in the basement of local homes.

Even back then, the singer sported his signature look: white from head to toe.

"Frankie always wore all white. That's why I got the white hat on today," said Mathis of the hat he wore Tuesday in honor of Beverly.

Mathis placed balloons on the street sign in the 6000 block of Norwood Street where Beverly grew up.

Beverly's family released a statement confirming his death, but not saying what caused his death.

"I feel sad, really sad," he said of Beverly's passing.

The street was named after him this past July. WDAS Radio Personality Ms. Patty Jackson was there.

"We came out to show him love and he loved it," she said. "He took it all in."

Jackson remembers how thankful Beverly was.

"I remember him squeezing my hand, you know, I love you," said Jackson.

Beverly's last show in Philadelphia, on July 6, was part of his farewell tour as the 77-year-old planned to say goodbye to the stage.

"It literally was a thank you tour where you just wanted to go and touch him and say 'Frankie, I love you,'" said Jackson.

The music of his band, Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly, has been the soundtrack to so many lives.

"My grandmom (listened to Frankie Beverly), my grandpop. Everybody was listening to it," said Jasmine McGee of Mt. Airy. She pulled up to take a photo of the street sign bearing Beverly's name as she played his music in her car. "It's good. (He's) an icon."

Even the famous were among his fans.

"Jalen Hurts was a huge Frankie Beverly fan," said Jackson of Hurts who was spotted at the July concert at The Dell Music Center.

Beverlywas inducted into the Philadelphia Music Alliance Walk of Fame in 2008. In his early music career, the Germantown High School grad worked with famed Philadelphia producer Kenny Gamble of Gamble and Huff.

The duo released a statement to Action News that read in part: "We are very saddened by Frankie Beverly's passing. He was a true legend and one of the finest soul singers coming out of Philadelphia and loved around the world."

"We don't live forever. And he had a great life! He's leaving such a great legacy," said Thomas Thompson of Somerville.

Thompson's father was in one of Frankie Beverly's bands in the early 70s.

"My dad told me Frankie was just an inspiration to everybody," said Thompson who is also a musician.

So many in Beverly's old neighborhood are thankful for the Philadelphia native who gifted the world with his music.

"A great song never dies," said Jackson.