David Peaston

David Peaston (http://www.myspace.com/davidpeaston) was a singer-songwriter and label owner born in St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A. One of the great mysteries of the late Eighties and Early Nineties was how this singer never grabbed a firm foothold on the soul music scene. From St . Louis, David Peaston's mother is Martha Bass, one of The Clara Ward Singers. His older sister is Fontella Bass, who sang the hit "Rescue Me."

One of the great mysteries of the late Eighties and Early Nineties was how this singer never grabbed a firm foothold on the soul music scene.

From St . Louis, David Peaston's mother is Martha Bass, one of The Clara Ward Singers.

His older sister is Fontella Bass, who sang the hit "Rescue Me."

David initially began a career as a school teacher, but after a staff layoff in 1981 he moved to New York, where he took up session work as a singer and auditioned for a gospel musical "Don't Get God Started."

Alongside four hundred hopefuls, he also auditioned for the infamous talent contest at the Apollo in Harlem.

He sang thirty seconds of "God Bless The Child" (which he first sang at a funeral) and instantly qualified.

In 1988, he began winning TV audiences on the televised "Showtime At The Apollo."

The result was a deal with Geffen Records and his 1989 album "Introducing David Peaston," including "Two Wrongs (Don't Make it Right)," "Don't Say No" and the Vee Allen song, "Can l?"

The same year he made his London concert debut supported by Gerald Alston, and also toured in the USA with Gladys Knight.

Peaston moved to MCA for the 1991 release "Mixed Emotions" including "Luxury Of Love,"

In 1993, he recorded a gospel album with his mother entitled "Promises: A Family Portrait Of Faith."

In December of 2000, Peaston performed a Nativity Concert in Italy alongside his sister Fontella Bass.

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

In 2006, Peaston returned to music with his album, Song Book: Songs of Soul & Inspiration. The album featured eight new tracks by Peaston, as well as several of his biggest hits.

Peaston died from complications of diabetes in St. Louis, Missouri, on February 1, 2012, at the age of 54.