R&B/Gospel singer David Peaston dies at the age of 54 (Video)

R&B and gospel singer David Peaston died Wednesday at the age of 54. Peaston is best known for his late-’80s and early-’90s hits, including “Can I?” and “Two Wrongs (Don’t Make It Right).”

His death was confirmed to The St. Louis Dispatch by his niece, Neuka Mitchell. She said he was surrounded by his family, including his wife and sons.

Although his cause of death was not confirmed, the Dispatch reported that Peaston had struggled with diabetes since the ‘90s. In March 2004, his right leg was amputated at the knee, later followed by his left leg. His last major public appearance came that year as well, when he was honored at A Celebration of Love in St. Louis. At the time, he told the Post-Dispatch that he did not want to be back in the public eye, adding, “I wasn't embarrassed or ashamed, but I felt I let myself down and, therefore, I let everyone else down. It was my fault for being sick, and I didn't want anybody to see me like that.”

According to E! News, music ran through Peaston’s family. He was the son of Martha Bass, a member of the gospel group the Clara Ward Singers and his sister, Fontella Bass, had a smash hit with “Rescue Me” in 1965. Peaston’s career took off when he began winning singing competitions on Showtime at the Apollo in the ‘80s. Those performances landed him a contract with Geffen Records and released his first album, Introducing...David Peaston. While that was a success, his second album was not and he drifted from the public spotlight until his 2004 appearance. He was also able to record an album in 2006 called Song Book: Songs of Soul & Inspiration.

The Dispatch reported that the funeral will be private, but his church plans on holding a tribute on Feb. 11.

Here’s “Two Wrongs (Don’t Make It Right)”: