Frankie Beverly's Artistry wasn't just about sound it was the very thread that stitched together our Collective memories and moments of Joy the festival's organizers said in a statement his Melodies will forever EO in our hearts and continue to inspire Mark morial president of the National Urban League and a former mayor of New Orleans said Ma's 1981 album live in New Orleans suited the city's relationship with Beverly moral said he always sat in the front row for maz's close out show at the festival and remembers turning around and seeing a crowd that was joyful like a choir singing all of the words with Beverly his music had feeling it had positive themes of love happiness family and togetherness morial said it was just electrical and magical and it's what made us fall in love with him close Beverly songs have become interwoven into celebrations in Black communities the band's 1981 Song Before I Let Go which has been covered by bian till you copyright right can be heard everywhere from clubs to cookouts sure to get people on their feet