Gospel and R&B singer David Peaston has died, according to EURweb.
The singer, who had a string of hits in the late 1980s, died of complications from diabetes on Wednesday, his family said in a statement. Peaston, who was 54, had had both legs amputated at the knees because of the disease.
The St. Louis, Mo., native was born into a family of musicians; his mother and sister both sang gospel and he recorded an album with them in 1993.
Peaston was a schoolteacher in his hometown before he got laid off and moved to New York to pursue his singing career. He appeared on Showtime at the Apollo and won several times. He alsohad several songs hit the Billboard R&B/gospel charts, most notably "Two Wrongs," "Can I" and "We're All in This Together."
Singer Cheryl Pepsii Riley released a statement to EURweb on her friend's death:
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.
We lost a great singer and person. Our deepest condolences go out to the Peaston family.
Read more at EURweb.
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