Legendary singer, Linda “Peaches” Tavani of the popular 70s and 80s chart-topping duo, Peaches & Herb, who released some of the most popular singles including “Reunited,” the ballad “I Pledge My Love,” and the fun, party starter “Shake Your Groove Thing,” among others. Peaches & Herb sold more than nine million records, held three number one hits, and garnered a Grammy nomination. Needless to say, this duo was heavily influential on much of the throwback music we hear today. Although Peaches and Herb parted ways in the mid-80s, Tavani has continuously pursued music and has done successfully, crossing over from pop to inspirational gospel. She also co-founded the WOW (Winning Our World) Foundation, which is a charitable organization that provides food for millions of poor and desperate people worldwide.
Tavani’s latest single and music video for “Give Me Love,” is a song rooted deep in gospel, and the statement within the song is one of passionate love, signifying Tavani’s magnificent voice and vocal range. The music video is a study in crisp black and white, and a demonstration of how much heat Tavani can bring when she steps to the microphone. From shot to shot, she changes her outfit and her manner of address, but her legendary intensity never flags. In our interview with Tavani, she discusses her longevity in the music industry with Peaches & Herb, and now solo, her influences in the industry, what initially drew her to pursue music, her charitable organization, and so much more. It was an honor to chat with this lovely woman of God, who is so humble, kind, and gracious.
You are a musical legend, and what a voice you have! What drew you to pursue music, and what began your love of it?
Linda “Peaches” Tavani: Thank you. All of my life I have loved music. Our entire family listened to a variety of music together. My mom played piano and taught me how to play hymns and sing. My father loved jazz, especially Sammy Davis Jr., Lena Horne, and Josephine Baker. We danced to Motown and James Brown and whatever entertainers made it to the big screen or came on television. Celebrating the excellence of black entertainment was what we were most proud of. Years later I actually toured with Sammy Davis Jr. met Lena Horn and saw the last performances of Josephine Baker. I was also roommates and best friends with Nat King Cole’s daughter, Natalie Cole.
You have been in the music industry for well over thirty years, as a duo and as a solo artist, and have experienced so much during that time. What are some of the biggest life lessons, especially in the industry, that you have learned?
Linda “Peaches”: One of the main things I learned was to be very thankful to have been so blessed to be able to have the kind of career success I have. I also learned that talent alone couldn’t build a successful career. It takes lots of hard work, perseverance and a team to make that dream come true. It is also very vital to not only learn your craft but also learn the business that goes with it. It is called Show Business for a reason. Lastly, always give back, help those young artists coming up just like I was helped when I was coming up.
You’ve been a huge influence on many singers, songwriters, and musicians. Who have been some of your biggest influences as a singer?
Linda “Peaches”: Lena Horne instantly became one of my idols the minute I saw her looking so lovely and sounding so sweet in “Cabin In The Sky”. I was so smitten that I wanted to be just like her and even memorized some of her lines from the movie. I watched her every move and facial expression when she sang and spoke and I tried to copy her elegance. However, Josephine Baker was the Ultra Icon. My dad took my mom and I to watch one of her last performance when she was in her 70’s, and she was incredible! I wanted to be just like her too. Touring the world loving and adopting children from all nations and a fighter for equality. Right before I start recording and the hits started I got to spend a week or so with David Bowie who was writing his Young American album at the time. He even mentioned something I said in the title song Young Americans when he asked me where I came from and I answered “ all the way from Washington” It was like being in music school with one of the greatest in the music industry. I couldn’t leave out the original Diva Miss Diana Ross “The Boss” who came to my dressing room after one of my concerts and said “Peaches, you are the new boss” WOW!
Linda, you have crossed over from secular pop to gospel. What is it about the gospel genre that you enjoy singing so much?
Linda “Peaches”: I always liked gospel music but it wasn’t so much the gospel genre as much as it was the Gospel itself that brought transformation in my life. When I met my producer and future husband, we both developed a deep relationship with God and with each other. We wanted to create music that flowed out of our souls and it came out gospel, which means good news!
You also co-founded WOW (Winning Our World) Foundation, which provides food for millions of poor and desperate people all over the globe. What drew you to begin this charitable organization?
Linda “Peaches”: When I was a little girl growing up in Washington DC I stood in front of the Lincoln memorial and heard Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. give his “I Have A Dream” speech. It deeply impacted me and ignited a passion to help fulfill his dream to bring peace and equality to the world. Years later as “Peaches” with “Peaches & Herb”, we would go uptown for exclusive record signing parties, and afterwards the limo driver would take us downtown to the inner city to sign autographs at the local radio station and liquor stores. Crowds of people wanting to see us and get autographs would surround the limo. As we pulled away I remembered Dr. King’s speech and vowed to one day return to the inner city with more than just an autograph. When I went solo and moved to Los Angeles I met Stephen Tavani through mutual friends with Tina Turner. He was a successful music producer/composer who produced many artists such as Smokey Robinson and also scored movies and TV shows. Since the night we met, we have never parted and were soon married. Little did I know that since he was a small boy growing up hours away from me he would do outreaches with his father to the poorest places in the city. Our dreams came together as our lives came together and we started WOW International. In the last 30 years, over 1.4 million people in the poorest communities in the world have attended our outreaches called WOW JAM. It is a huge festival where everything is free including bike repair, hot meals, groceries, haircuts, family photos, prizes, and much more. We do a concert with drama, dancers and fun games followed by a message of hope and love and encouragement. It finally Reunited me to the people I love and it feels so good!
Your latest single, “Give Me Love,” is a reflection of your music roots consisting of gospel, pop, and a bit of pop, and is all about what the title suggests it is; love. What makes this song special to you?
Linda “Peaches”: Stephen [Tavani, her husband] wrote that song for me. He pays tribute to the incredible achievements that women can succeed at but still want and need love. Love in this song is not measured by wealth or fame but by what comes from the heart. It is a truth for men and woman, as the song says, “love is the best you can give.”
I enjoyed how you changed outfits; yet sing the song with the same amount of enthusiasm with each change. Was that your idea, and what was your collaboration like with the production of the video?
Linda “Peaches”: Stephen and I collaborate on everything, raising our twin girls, decorating our home, creating our music, and doing this video. Stephen directed and filmed it, Elishia Florence-Baisley edited it and I had a blast choosing all the outfits and just having fun in front of the camera! I love design and will soon be coming out with my own clothesline. We are so happy with the way it turned out and it is so rewarding to get such a great response on it. P.S. It was my idea to wear sunglasses.
