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 on his social media accounts, family members confirmed that the singer died on Tuesday at the age of 77. The cause of death has not been disclosed.

“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 have us all.”

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

In 1977, Maze released their debut album, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly. Over the years, they released eight more albums, which included the hit Before I Let Go and other hit singles such as Happy Feelin’s, Joy and Pain and We Are One.

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

When he announced the tour in February, he told Billboard that he “wanted to share with my lifelong fans and acquaintances that I’m going on tour one more time and then retiring.”

“Thank you so much for the support of over 50 years as I pass the lead singer torch to Tony Lindsay. The band will continue as Maze Honoring Frankie Beverly. It’s been an amazing ride through the decades. May the music of my legacy continue,” he added.

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

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

He said Beyoncé was a “good friend” of his and that he didn’t know beforehand that she would cover his song. “When they played it, I heard the first version 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 surprised, but in a beautiful way.”

Beverly said he met Beyoncé when she was a teenager, attending a Maze show at the Houston rodeo with her mother. “She wasn’t a big hit then, but we’ve worked together a few times since then and she’s always been really, really 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 kind of going up and down, and at the end I wrote a song because I felt like I had to get out,” 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 will outlive our time on this earth. Frankie brought so much joy to the world. His music will live on. It will always be a part of our culture, an essential part of the soundtrack to our parties, barbecues and family reunions. May he rest well.”

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

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

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens also released a statement calling Beverly’s music “the soundtrack to so 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 Amphitheatre created memories for countless Atlantans and visitors from across the region.”

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