Frankie Beverly Reveals Farewell Tour After Announcing His Retirement: "I Want To Share With My Lifelong Fans And Associates That I'll Be Going Out On The Road One Last Time"
ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 17: Singer Frankie Beverly onstage at Morehouse College presents MAZE featuring Frankie Beverly 150th Anniversary Concert at Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel at Morehouse College on February 17, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
Frankie Beverly has announced his retirement and revealed the schedule for his farewell tour, titled "I Wanna Thank You."
The five-city tour begins in Atlanta on March 22, featuring El DeBarge and Chaka Khan as special guests. It's not yet confirmed whether they'll join Beverly and his crew in other cities. The tour will then visit Alabama, Chicago, and Houston before concluding in Los Angeles on May 12.
Plans for an afterparty following the Atlanta concert are underway, with details to be announced soon. Following the conclusion of the tour, Beverly will travel to Philadelphia for a street renaming ceremony. This event holds special significance as Philadelphia is where he and his Maze band, initially known as Raw Soul, began their musical journey in 1970, establishing their enduring legacy.
Despite Beverly's retirement, Maze will persist in touring as Maze Honoring Frankie Beverly, with Tony Lindsay taking on the role of lead vocalist. Their objective remains steadfast to delight audiences and deliver an unforgettable live concert experience, showcasing their timeless hits.
"I want to share with my lifelong fans and associates that I'll be going out on the road one last time, then retire," Beverly said to Billboard. "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."
