WHEREAS, Frankie Beverly was born Howard Beverly on December 6th, 1946 and was raised in the East Germantown Section of Philadelphia. Frankie Beverly was deeply influenced by gospel music where he sang in his local church and was showcased as a soloist as a child; and
WHEREAS,
Frankie Beverly
attended Germantown High School, and while attending there he
formed The Blenders, a short-lived a cappella, doo-wop group that were influenced by The Dells, The Moonglows, and The Del Vikings. After that outfit dissolved, he founded The Butlers, which would be the first group he recorded with in 1963. As time passed, they caught the attention of the veteran producer Kenny Gamble, who eventually released recordings by the group;
and
WHEREAS, In 1971 Frankie Beverly and his group moved to the West Coast hoping to find success. After being introduced to Marvin Gaye, who made them his opening act and also convinced Frankie to change the name of the group to Frankie Beverly and Maze, he was signed to Capitol Records and released his first album in 1977; and
WHEREAS, Frankie Beverly has unparalleled talent and dedication that has earned him widespread recognition and admiration from fans worldwide. Hit after hit, Frankie Beverly and Maze continue to be a giant of the touring landscape. Frankie Beverly’s commitment to excellence and passion for his craft has inspired countless artists and have left an indelible mark on the world of music. Frankie is not just the lead singer, he has written all of the songs that have sold out theaters and arenas alike; and
WHEREAS, Frankie Beverly’s enduring impact on the cultural landscape is a testament to the power of artistic expression. Frankie Beverly is a purist, who laughs as he tells the story of his writing process that has repeatedly brought alive sounds that are uniquely and undeniably his own; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby also renames the 6000 Block of Norwood Street “Frankie Beverly Way” to honor Frankie Beverly for his outstanding contributions to the world of music, celebrating his artistry, influence, and the joy he has brought to countless lives.
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