A Party in the Park: Philly Shows Up to Honor Frankie Beverly’s Last Stop on His Farewell Tour

By Mizz Gabrielle Nicole, Game 4 P.E.A.C.E Philly

Philadelphia – On Wednesday, July 3rd, I received an unexpected call from my friend and mentor Mrs. Georgette King. She asked what I was doing on Thursday, July 4th, at 5 p.m. I had no plans, so I said, “nothing.” She replied, “Now you do! You’re going to see Frankie Beverly at the Dell.” You could have knocked me over with a feather. I put the phone down, screamed, hooped, and hollered in excitement. I’ve been a Frankie Beverly fan since I first heard him, but I never managed to see him live. Recently, I wondered why I never went to see him, especially since he often performed in Philadelphia. 

When I learned about his final farewell tour too late to get a ticket, I felt down. So, when I got that call from Ms. Georgette King, I was elated. I divinely received my first assignment with the Game 4 P.E.A.C.E “What’s Going’ On News Journals” covering this monumentally historic musical moment in Philadelphia history.

We arrived at Fairmount Park and parked in the exclusive lot next to the entrance. The Party in Fairmount Park had already been in effect for hours. The beats were flowing through the park, and the DJ was playing the best hits. The weather was perfect, and the energy was electric. Inside, the DJ continued the party as the city of Philadelphia rolled through the gates. The atmosphere at the Dell Music Center was amazing. The brothers were looking good, and the sisters were looking fine and fly.

It was a night to remember, a perfect farewell to a legend like Frankie Beverly. Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts saluted Frankie Beverly at the Dell Music Center before a sold-out audience. Frankie Beverly is the music, the culture, the fabric of our lives. He is Philly!

Opening the show was the talented singer Nia Renée Kelly, who gained recognition as a contestant on “American Idol.” Known for her powerful voice and stage presence, she captivated audiences and judges alike during her time on the show. Recently, she had the honor of opening for the legendary Frankie Beverly & Maze farewell tour, which also featured the legendary Whispers. During her performance, Nia Renée Kelly humbly expressed her gratitude to be performing in the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Devotion. Her performance set the stage for an unforgettable night of music and celebration.

The Whispers have long been heralded for their timeless appeal and captivating performances, and their performance at The Dell was no exception. Fans left the venue in awe, commending the concert for its excellent selection of songs and the group’s professional interaction with the audience.

It was a testament to the Whispers’ consistent delivery of great shows. The performance, much like their previous live concerts, never failed to impress, solidifying its place as a favorite among their collections. The group’s exceptional preparation, sound quality, and stage presence were evident throughout the night, reinforcing their reputation for never disappointing their audience.

The Whispers’ vocal talents were showcased beautifully, capturing the essence of their acclaim as the great singers of ballads in the entire music world. This concert demonstrated their ability to make anyone fall in love with their music, a sentiment echoed by the fans of all ages who attended.

Overall, the Whispers delivered a celebrated performance, revered for its nostalgic value, the timeless quality of their music, and its ability to bring the concert experience to life. Fans, both old and new, found themselves captivated by the enduring magic of the Whispers, proving once again that their legacy in the music world is unmatched. 

Frankie Beverly and Maze have been the voice of generations. Their concerts are iconic gatherings where everyone, their mama, and their mama’s mama sing along to every lyric. The impact of Frankie Beverly and Maze’s music on a global scale is immense. Their music embodies an optimistic view of life, often described as a spiritual personification of passion and music itself. Songs like “Before I Let Go,” now famously covered by Beyoncé, have become anthems at Black cookouts and parties, leaving a lasting imprint for generations to come.

After over half a century of defining the musical backdrop for Black America, R&B legends Frankie Beverly and Maze announced their final tour, titled the “I Wanna Thank You Farewell Tour.” The tour began on March 22 in Atlanta at the State Farm Arena, concluded in Los Angeles at the Kia Forum on May 12, and is now heading to New Orleans at the Smoothie King Arena. Following that, they will be in Washington, DC, on June 14 and St. Louis on June 22, culminating where it all began in Philly at The Dell Center in Philadelphia.

In a touching tribute, 77-year-old Beverly will return to his Philadelphia roots in July to have a street renamed in his honor. Reflecting on his journey, Beverly expressed deep gratitude for the loyal fans who have supported the band from the start. After this tour, Beverly plans to retire, passing the lead vocalist role to Tony Lindsay, while passing the lead vocalist role to Tony Lindsay, while Maze will continue performing as “Maze Honoring Frankie Beverly.”

The legacy of Frankie Beverly begins with his musical journey, tracing back to the formation of the group “Raw Soul” in Philadelphia in 1970. His connection with soul legend Marvin Gaye led to the group’s name change to Frankie Beverly and Maze, under Gaye’s guidance.

From 1977 to 1993, Frankie Beverly and Maze dominated the music industry with hits like “Joy and Pain,” “Golden Time of Day,” “We Are One,” and the iconic “Before I Let Go.” Their music is deeply ingrained in Black culture, symbolizing unity and celebration.

Despite not releasing new music since 1993, Frankie Beverly and Maze’s popularity as a live act has soared. They join a rare category of artists like Michael Jackson and George Clinton’s Parliament Funkadelic, known for their legendary live performances.

Frankie Beverly, often credited with writing all their hits, brings authenticity and passion to his craft. His music is a testament to love and community, resonating across generations. As Frankie Beverly and Maze embark on their farewell tour, their impact on music and culture remains unparalleled, reflecting a genuine love for their fans and the timeless quality of their music.

For decades, the Philadelphia native has been a global ambassador of Black culture, sharing via his lyrics and music the intricacies of the ‘joy and pain’ of living. Reflecting on his journey, Beverly expressed deep gratitude for the loyal fans who have supported the band from the start. After this tour, Beverly plans to retire, passing the lead vocalist role to Tony Lindsay, while Maze will continue performing as “Maze Honoring Frankie Beverly.”

In a heartwarming moment during Saturday’s show, The Black Promoters Collective surprised Beverly with a $25,000 donation to his Frankie Beverly Scholarship Fund. This fund supports minority students pursuing careers in the music industry, reflecting Beverly’s commitment to education and community.

“It’s an honor to tell you face to face, I love you. On behalf of my partners, The Black Promoters Collective, we had the opportunity to tour this man around the world, a Black producing promotion company. As we end this tour in our home city, we want to say thank you to a living legend,” said BPC’s Senior Talent Buyer & Partner, Walt Reeder Jr. This highlight of the night furthered the magic that this partnership has created with Frankie’s retirement after more than 50 years in the music industry, marking a monumental end to a notable career.”

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has often described himself as an “old soul” in both his daily life and music preferences, which led to his attendance at Frankie Beverly and Maze’s farewell show in Philly on Saturday. Dressed in an all-white outfit to honor the legendary musician’s style, Hurts took to the stage to deliver a heartfelt speech. He highlighted the significant impact that Frankie Beverly and Maze have had on the City of Brotherly Love and on his personal life.

“I might have a lot of people in this crowd saying, ‘Well, what is Jalen doing here? This is too far beyond his time,’” Hurts said. “But I was just raised the right way, and when I tell you Frankie Beverly and Maze have a song for every emotion — ‘Joy and Pain,’ ‘We Are One,’ ‘Golden Time of Day,’ ‘While I’m Alone,’ it goes on and on. I’m so thankful for the person you’ve been for me through your music and what you’ve done to inspire me to keep going, to persevere, to have gratitude, to show appreciation for my loved ones, the people around me, and great music. I just want to say on behalf of Philly. Everyone here in this community, we wanted to thank you.”

In the words of Frankie Beverly, “We are one, no matter what we do.” His music, his message, and his spirit will always remain a vital part of our lives. Philly, let’s celebrate and honor the legend who has given us a lifetime of memories. This concert event was a hit among fans and a perfect fit for the Game 4 P.E.A.C.E mission of promoting unity and joy through music.

Frankie, Game 4 P.E.A.C.E salutes you, we honor you and we love you!