David Peaston (1957-2012)

In the late '80s, David Peaston was the sensation of the Apollo Theater’s Amateur Night. In 1988, the teacher from St. Louis, Missouri wowed tough audiences with a song that would become one of his trademark covers, “God Bless the Child.” After several weeks of wins, the son of Clara Ward Singers’ Martha Bass and the brother of Fontella Bass of gospel and soul fame, Peaston became an overnight sensation with the 1989 release of his Billboard Top 10 R&B Album, Introducing…David Peaston. The Geffen Records release included a cover of Eddie Kendricks’ “Can I” as well as his original radio jam “Two Wrongs Don’t Make A Right” and a Billboard Top 45 dance hit, “We’re All In This Together.” For his critically-acclaimed debut efforts, in 1990 Peaston won the Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist.

Peaston returned again in 1991, this time under MCA Records, with the unsung Mixed Emotions project, which included smooth, midtempo cuts like “Do You Still Love Me” (a song later made famous by Will Downing) and the standout rendition of The Four Tops torch song “I Believe In You and Me” five years before Whitney Houston’s charter. At his prime, Peaston toured the world with such stars as Gladys Knight and Gerald Alston, winning over crowds with his reported five-octave range. Unfortunately, the lack of a breakout, crossover single prematurely ended Peaston’s soul music career.

His stratospheric tenor soon found a home in the urban theater and on gospel stages across the U.S., including the national touring company of His Woman, His Wife: The Musical. In 1993, Peaston recorded a gospel album with his famous mother and sister on Promises: A Family Portrait of Faith. His last project, Song Book: Songs of Soul & Inspiration, was released in 2006. Challenged by diabetes and a double-amputee, Peaston still ran his own production company, Pea-Stain Productions and was a gospel circuit mainstay in his hometown of St. Louis. David Peaston’s homegoing is survived by his wife of 24 years, Marilyn, and his two sons. May he rest in peace.

By L. Michael Gipson

80s R&B flashback: "Two Wrongs Don't Make A Right" by David Peaston (1989)

We Remember: Singer David Peaston Dies at 54

*With sadness we report that R&B/gospel singer David Peaston has passed. He was 54. Unfortunately, as of this posting, details of his death are not available. However, according to postings on his Facebook page, he died on Wednesday.

EUR received this note of remembrance from his friend, singer Cheryl Pepsii Riley:

“David Peaston and I were, in the beginning, the only secular artists doing Gospel traveling plays. Back then there were just about 4 shows out so they stayed out a long time. I met David doing the show “Momma Don’t”. We ended up doing several shows together after that and were official Road Dawgs! I Soooooooooo Loved this Man with the Hearty Laugh, Great Sense of Humor, That Incredible Voice, and He was The Most Amazing Friend!!! This hurts so much. He had a Gift that commanded the Room. David will be sorely missed. My Condolences go out to His Beautiful Wife and Children and All the Many Friends and Fans His Presence has Touched and Blessed.”

According to his Wikipedia page, Peaston won a Soul Train Music Award in 1990 for Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist. He is mostly known for the singles, “Two Wrongs (Don’t Make it Right)” and “Can I?”, the latter of which was originally recorded by Eddie Kendricks.

In the late 1980s, Peaston, a former schoolteacher, born in St. Louis, won several competitions on the Showtime at the Apollo television show, winning over the audience with a powerful rendition of “God Bless the Child.”

Peaston was diagnosed with diabetes and had his legs amputated, forcing him to use prosthesis.

EUR will publish more details of David Peaston’s death as they become available.

damn, what is going on here people are dropping like flies.

"Two Wrongs Don't Make A Right", loved that song. I saw Mr. Peaston at the 2002 Chicago Gospel Fest. Brotha sung "I Fly Away" at a slow temp, speechless.

May he RIP.

R.I.P.

I was just thinking of him yesterday! I discovered him last year and was blown away...what an incredible voice! His sister is Fontella Bass I think. So sad.

Oh no! My mother loved him. Peace to his soul.

Too bad he never quite caught on. He had an incredible voice. I was always afraid for him because of his weight, which I'm sure also played a factor in him not getting the exposure he deserved.

Reading what he was suffering from, it was his time to go... RIP

I am heartbroken over this passing. I just started back playing my favorite cut by him "Take Me Now" last week. This song stayed in my rotation back then in the 80's & recently. His voice was incredible & soulful. I can't take anymore of these deaths. I was wondering what happen to him..

If you watched Showtime At The Apollo in the early 90s saturday nights you remember David Peaston. I dont know how many times he won amateur night but he slayed the competition he had an incredible voice. I knew he was going to get record deal. I seriously thought he was going to steal some of Luther's shine. Im sorry his career was so short.

RIP Double amputee ... Diabetes... He's not suffering anymore he just crossed over to a better life.

I remember seeing him win on the Apollo every week singing "God Bless The Child", then he got a recording contract after that. I didn't like the music he released but he had a voice from HELL! Ain't nothing like a great falsetto. If the right music had been put behind him, his ass could have got OFF!

David was an amazing singer.

Dang, I was just thinking about him when we started talking about Freddie Jackson. And Lawd! here we go with the three's. I guess it was

Etta James

Don Cornelius and

now David Peaston.

Please Lord make it stop.

RIP David Peaston

banks said:

Rip David

Blessings to his wife, children, extended family, friends and fans. That voice was UNreal. He's up there in the choir NOW.

RIP

I loved Can I back in the day.

That Voice. RIP!

R.I.P. I remember seeing him win the first time.

but dang at naming your company Pea -Stain...lol

Rest In Peace

A very talented singer who never got the success and recognition that he deserved.

SoulAlive said:

80s R&B flashback: "Two Wrongs Don't Make A Right" by David Peaston (1989)

OH SNAP!!! I remember this song...haven't heard it in years!!!! Sorry to hear about his passing though...but judging from the illness he was suffering from, maybe it's best that he's in peace.

yeah,watching that video really takes me back to 1989!