Old love songs on the road

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

Peaches & Herb (Miriamm Wright and Herb Fame) are among the acts in Sunday night's '70s Soul Jam at the Blaisdell Arena. Andy Morataya '70s SOUL JAM With the Stylistics, Heatwave, Peaches & Herb, the Delphonics and the Persuaders 7 p.m. Sunday Blaisdell Arena $35, $45 (reserved seats); on sale at the box office and Ticketmaster locations ticketmaster.com, (877) 750-4400 Featuring: Jimmy "JJ Dy-no-mite" Walker as emcee; two dance floors

Herb Fame, now 60, is the constant figure; he's welcomed five Peaches to date.

"This road gets to be too rigorous for women, who want to stay home and raise their families, and I can respect that," said Herb (real name, Herb Feemster) earlier this week, speaking on a phone aboard a bus en route to San Diego.

"I wasn't born yet when the original Peaches (Francine Hurd Barker) was with Herb," said Miriamm Wright, the current Peaches, also aboard the transiting bus. "But I was old enough to hear their songs; and I remember hearing Linda Greene when she performed 'Shake Your Groove Thing.' Since then, I had the opportunity to go deeply into the career of Peaches & Herb. It's music that I've been singing."

Between Barker and Greene, Marlene Mack did a stint as Peaches. And before Wright joined Herb about three years ago, there was Patrice Hawthorne.

"I thank God that there's still a Peaches & Herb; I thank the people for still wanting to hear us," said Herb.

"As long as you do what you do, that's what people come to hear; if you do it at least 90 percent well, they'll always come to see and support you. And I enjoy it all."

The Peaches & Herb repertoire includes a string of hits, such as "Let's Fall in Love," "Close Your Eyes," "Love Is Strange," "When He Touches Me," "For Your Love," "Shake Your Groove Thing," "Reunited," "I Pledge My Love" and "Roller-Skatin' Mate."

Herb said the reason Peaches & Herb has never disappeared is the fact that the act favors "old love songs. We're all about love. Strictly love, happiness. And people enjoy these songs."

That's why he's retained the Peaches & Herb moniker all these years. "It's how it started, it's how it will end. The name is easily recognizable. It wouldn't be the same if it were Herb & Brenda or Herb & Wanda. It just doesn't sound musical."

Indeed, there's harmony and unity in Peaches & Herb.

"A mutual friend of ours brought us together," said Peaches. "We played around a bit; next thing I knew, we were off to do a gig at B.B. King's in New York."

She said she has no intention of impersonating or duplicating the earlier Peaches.

"I prefer when the fans know there have been other Peaches before me," she said. "I don't try to imitate; I let them (the earlier Peaches) stand on my shoulders to have that solid foundation. And I take it from where they left off, treading in a legacy of excellence. With Herb being the constant, and me the change, we keep it fresh, we keep it going."

They both live in Washington, D.C., and usually do isolated performances. The Hawai'i show is part of a 10-day tour, however.

"I was a freelance vocalist before meeting Herb," said Peaches. "We haven't done any (new) recordings since we got together."

"That's the name of the game — recording," said Herb. "I'm looking for a deal to recreate the old songs. We do have a good track record."

Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, 525-8067 or fax 525-8055.