Frankie Beverly, the lead singer of the soul and funk band Maze and best known for the hit Before I Let Go, has died, his family announced on Wednesday.

In a statement posted on his social media accounts, relatives confirmed that the singer died on Tuesday at the age of 77. The cause of death has not been stated.

“He lived his life with pure soul as one would say, and for us, no one did it better,” the family wrote. “He lived for his music, family and friends.”

The statement continued: “Love one another, as he would want that for us all.”

Born in December 1946 in Philadelphia, Beverly began his music career in the 1960s and later formed the soul band Maze, who were known at the time as Raw Soul, in 1970. The group moved to San Francisco and soon met Marvin Gaye, who took the group under his wing, according to Beverly’s website, and was the reason they changed their name to Maze.

In 1977, Maze released their debut album, called Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, and went on to release eight more albums over the years, featuring the smash Before I Let Go and other hit singles such as Happy Feelin’s, Joy and Pain and We Are One, among others.

Earlier this year, Beverly announced a farewell tour, and performed his last show in Philadelphia in July.

When he announced the tour in February, he told Billboard that he wanted 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,” he added.

In a 2005 interview with NPR, Beverly described live music performances as “probably the most powerful form of art”, adding: “When you’re cookin’, it starts cookin’. It doesn’t matter how many people is in the room. It’s just a special thing.”

In 2019, Beyoncé covered the 1981 Maze single Before I Let Go on her live album Homecoming, and in an interview with Billboard in that year about the cover, Beverly described it as “one of the high points” of his life.

He said that Beyoncé was a “great friend” of his and that he hadn’t known beforehand that she was going to cover his song. “When they played it, that’s when I heard the first draft of it, and I was blown away,” he said. “It’s a blessing. It’s amazing how she works, she’s very smart. I’m caught off-guard, but in a beautiful way.”

Beverly said that he had met Beyoncé when she was in her teens, when she and her mother attended a Maze show at the Houston rodeo. “She wasn’t a big hit star then, but we wound up working together a few times since and she’s always been very, very nice to me,” he said.

In the interview, Beverly told Billboard that the song Before I Let Go was about a relationship he was in at the time. “It was just up and down, and by the end of it I wrote a song because I was feeling I needed to get out of it,” he said.

On Wednesday, many people paid tribute to Beverly.

Singer John Legend posted a photo of Beverly on Instagram, with the caption: “Let’s celebrate the life and work of the great Frankie Beverly. What I love about being an artist is that our work leaves a legacy that outlives our time on this Earth. Frankie has given the world such joy. His music will live on. It will always be part of our culture, an essential part of the soundtrack of our celebrations, cookouts, and family reunions. May he rest well.”

Singer Patti LaBelle posted on X a video of her singing with Beverly in the crowd. “I love you Frankie!” reads the caption. “Thank you for always lifting us higher! Rest in love and peace.”

Jalen Hurts, quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, described Beverly’s “timeless music”, “powerful words” and “lasting impact” in a statement posted on X on Wednesday “His legacy will live on forever. Rest easy my friend. Long Live Frankie.”

The Atlanta mayor, Andre Dickens, also released a statement, calling Beverly’s music the “the soundtrack to many of our lives”.

“Earlier this year, I had the honor of presenting him with the Phoenix Award – the City of Atlanta’s highest honor – in recognition of his timeless musical contributions and extraordinary impact on the entertainment industry,” Dickens said. “Frankie’s sold-out concerts at Chastain Amphitheater created memories for countless Atlantans and visitors from across the region.”

In the statement confirming his death on Wednesday, Beverly’s family asked for privacy as they grieve.