David Peaston, R&B Singer, Dead at 54

Singer David Peaston, who had several hits in the 1980s and 1990s including “Two Wrongs” and “Can I”, has died from complications of diabetes.

Peaston’s niece Neuka Mitchell announced his death on Thursday, saying the crooner was surrounded by his wife and sons when he passed away at his home in St. Louis. — St Louis Post-Dispatch

David Peaston was born in St. Louis with deep family musical roots.

His mother, Martha Bass, was one of the Clara Ward Singers. His older sister, is a noted singer whose single “Rescue Me” reached No. 1 on R&B charts and No. 4 on pop single charts in 1965.

Following in his family’s footsteps and after a brief stint as a schoolteacher, the musician headed out to New York where he paid his dues doing session work for fellow gospel and R&B artists.

He first received solo attention after winning several competitions on TV’s Showtime at the Apollo in the late ’80s, particularly on the strength of his stellar rendition of “God Bless the Child.” Such performances landed Peaston a recording contract with Geffen Records.

In 1989, he released his debut album, Introducing…David Peaston, which burned up the charts with the soulful piano-driven ballad, “Can I?” and the funky “Two Wrongs (Don’t Make It Right).” That success landed the R&B smoothie a coveted slot supporting Glady Knight on tour, and a year later, he snagged a Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist.

Unfortunately Peaston didn’t gain nearly as much traction with his sophomore LP, 1991’s Mixed Emotions, which failed to crossover beyond the urban market and he began a slow fadeout from the spotlight.

In 2006, despite the loss of his legs, the soul man mounted a comeback with the release of his album, Song Book: Songs of Soul & Inspiration. — E Online