MUSIC: Magic Springs lines up peachy show

LITTLE ROCK — Peaches & Herb, a legendary rhythm and blues duo, will headline the 2008 summer concert series at Timberwood Amphitheater at Magic Springs & Crystal Falls amusement park in Hot Springs this weekend.

The duo, Herb Fame and the current Peaches, Wanda Makle, will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday at the park, 1701 E. Grand Ave. (U.S. 70 East) in Hot Springs.

Admission is $45.99; $35.99 for children who are less than 52 inches tall and for those 55 and older; or $49.99 for a season pass good for all 14 concerts and unlimited admission all season.

Reserved seats are an additional $5 each. Call (501) 624-0100.

The duo was formed in 1967 by Fame and Francine "Peaches" Hurd Barker, who were put together by record producer Van McCoy. Peaches & Herb had a string of hits, starting with "Let's Fall in Love," followed by "We're in This Thing Together," "Close Your Eyes," "For Your Love" and "Love Is Strange."

Barker tired of touring and left the act, and she was replaced by a succession of female singers who were known as "Peaches," and the hit singles continued with "Two Little Kids" and "When He Touches Me."

Fame also tired of the music industry and retired in 1970, but returned six years later, again aided by McCoy. A new "Peaches"was found, with Linda Greene filling the role and making for the most successful of the combinations.

The hit single "Shake Your Groove Thing" hit No. 5 in March 1979 - the height of the disco era - and its follow-up, "Reunited" was a No. 1 hit for four weeks. The partnership lasted until 1983, when Herb took a job with the Washington Police Department. By 1990, he was back in the music business with a new "Peaches," and in 2001 he and Greene successfully sued for unpaid royalties. He has been pursuing his musical career full time since then.

"Peaches" Barker died in 2005.