Peaches
& Herb
The year was
1964, and Van McCoy was about to record "THE SWEET THINGS",
which featured lead singer Francine Hurd (nick-named "Peaches")
and solo artist Herb Feemster.
McCoy, who
later became one of the hottest producers of the 70's ("The
Hustle") thought Francine (or Peaches) and Herb should record
a duet. They did, and their first single, "WHERE IN THIS
THING TOGETHER", enjoyed modest success. Ten months later,
St. Louis Disc Jockey, "Robert B.Q." picked up on the
"B" side "LET'S FALL IN LOVE". The song became
a huge hit, and became the first of a string of extraordinarily
successful hits. And PEACHES & HERB became a household name.
A series of
45 releases followed on the "date" label which included
"CLOSE YOUR EYE" (1965), "FOR YOU LOVE" (1966),
and the smash hit song "LOVE IS STRANGE" in late 1966.
The duet continued
touring and recording through the late '60's, and in 1970 Peaches
& Herb returned to their hometown of Washington D.C. Peaches
became a housewife and Herb went into law enforcement.
In 1978, after
an 8 year hiatus, Herb, this time with a new Peaches, was at it
again, this time with Polydor/M.V.P. records. Producer Freddie
Perrin took the group in the studio, and the result was "SHAKE
YOUR GROOVE THING" in 1979. Peaches & Herb were on top
again - but not yet to the pinnacle, which occurred in 1980 with
one of the decades biggest hits - "REUNITED". Their
album TWICE THE FIRE went Gold and TOO HOT went Double Platinum.
In 1981, Peaches & Herb released "I PLEDGE MY LOVE",
which has been widely used as a wedding march, and in 1982, "BLUER
THAN BLUE" became yet another hit.
Peaches &
Herb have appeared on most of the major television shows including
Dick Clark, Soul Train, Mike Douglas, Merv Griffin, and have also
hosted The Midnight Special. In 1981, Peaches & Herb were
busy making history by being on the Bob Hope Special from Mainland
China, making them the first Black entertainers to perform in
China.
In July 1992,
Herb, now with new Peaches Patrice Hawthorne, "Reunited"
with writer/producer/arranger Freddie Perren. The result is a
new and exciting Peaches & Herb sound. Their new material
is a blend of their signature duet ballads and compelling, hot
dance material with "a little groove on the side".
Peaches &
Herb have been, and continue to be, America's SWEETHEARTS OF SOUL.
|
