Francine Hurd Barker, better known as the original Peaches of the singing duo Peaches and Herb, was a talented and popular singer in the 1960s and 1970s. She had a distinctive voice and a charming personality that won the hearts of many fans. However, her life was not as sweet as her stage name suggested. She faced many challenges and struggles, both personal and professional, that eventually led to her untimely death in 2005. In this article, we will explore the life and career of Francine Hurd Barker, and the cause of her death.
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Early Life and Career
Francine Hurd Barker was born on April 28, 1947, in Anacostia, Washington, D.C. She was the daughter of Frances Elizabeth Stepney Hurd and William Hurd Jr. She had nine siblings, and grew up in a poor and violent neighborhood. She developed a passion for singing at an early age, and joined a local church choir. She also sang in various talent shows and contests, and won several prizes.
In 1965, she met Herb Fame, a former police officer who was pursuing a career in music. He was looking for a female singer to partner with him, and he was impressed by Francine’s voice and charisma. They formed the duo Peaches and Herb, and signed a contract with Date Records, a subsidiary of Columbia Records. They released their debut single, “We’re in This Thing Together”, in 1966, and it became a minor hit on the R&B charts.
Success and Fame
Peaches and Herb achieved their breakthrough success in 1967, when they released their second single, “Let’s Fall in Love”. The song was a cover of a 1930s jazz standard, and it showcased their smooth and harmonious vocals. It reached number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100, and number 11 on the R&B charts. It also became their signature song, and earned them the nickname “The Sweethearts of Soul”.
The duo followed up with more hits, such as “Close Your Eyes”, “For Your Love”, and “Love Is Strange”. They also released three albums, Let’s Fall in Love (1967), For Your Love (1968), and Let’s Fall in Love Again (1969). They toured extensively, and appeared on various TV shows, such as The Ed Sullivan Show, The Mike Douglas Show, and The Tonight Show. They also received several awards and nominations, including a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals in 1969.
Personal Problems and Breakup
Despite their success and fame, Peaches and Herb faced many difficulties behind the scenes. Francine was unhappy with the way she was treated by the record company, and felt that she was not paid fairly. She also had a turbulent marriage with her husband, Warren Morris, whom she married in 1968. They had two daughters, Shaunte and Shanice, but they also had frequent arguments and fights. Francine also suffered from depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.
In 1970, Francine decided to quit the duo and the music industry. She wanted to focus on her family and her health, and she also felt that she had achieved enough as a singer. She was replaced by another female singer, Marlene Mack, who became the second Peaches. Herb continued to perform with different Peaches until 1977, when he also retired from music.
Later Years and Death
Francine lived a quiet and private life after leaving Peaches and Herb. She moved to Maryland, and worked as a nurse and a teacher. She also became a grandmother of four grandchildren. She remained in contact with Herb, and they occasionally reunited for special events, such as a TV documentary in 1996, and a concert in 2002.
However, Francine’s health deteriorated over the years. She suffered from several health problems, such as diabetes, hypertension, and kidney failure. She also had a stroke in 2004, which left her partially paralyzed. She died on August 13, 2005, at the age of 58, in Washington, D.C. The cause of her death was reported as complications from a stroke, according to Life In Legacy. She was buried at the National Harmony Memorial Park Cemetery in Hyattsville, Maryland.
Legacy and Tribute
Francine Hurd Barker was one of the most influential and beloved singers of her generation. She left a lasting impression on the music industry, and on the fans who adored her. She was also a trailblazer for female singers, especially African-American singers, who faced discrimination and challenges in the 1960s and 1970s. She was a pioneer of the soul and R&B genres, and influenced many artists who came after her.
Francine was honored and remembered by many people after her death. Herb Fame paid tribute to her in a statement, saying that she was “a beautiful person, inside and out”. He also dedicated a song to her, called “Always You”, which he recorded with the seventh Peaches, Meritxell Negre, in 2009. He also performed a memorial concert for her in 2010, with the eighth Peaches, Wanda Makle. Many other singers and celebrities also expressed their condolences and admiration for Francine, such as Patti LaBelle, Aretha Franklin, and Stevie Wonder.
Francine Hurd Barker was a remarkable woman who had a remarkable voice. She was the original Peaches, and she will always be remembered as such. She was a star who shone brightly, but also a human being who faced hardships and pain. She was a singer who touched many hearts, but also a mother, a grandmother, a sister, and a friend. She was Francine Hurd Barker, and she was one of a kind.
