11 hours ago
5
The velvet voice behind some of the most beloved love songs and Disney classics of the past half-century has fallen silent.
Legendary R&B singer and two-time Grammy Award winner Peabo Bryson, whose soaring vocals helped define generations of romance and cinematic magic, died peacefully on Tuesday at the age of 75.
In a statement released by his family, Bryson passed away at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on June 2, surrounded by loved ones.
“He transitioned peacefully, surrounded by the love of his family and those closest to him,” the statement said.
Born Robert Peapo Bryson in Greenville, South Carolina, less than a month before his 76th birthday, the singer leaves behind a musical catalogue that became the soundtrack to countless weddings, anniversaries, and cherished life moments.
News of his passing came days after reports surfaced that he had suffered a stroke. His death marks the end of an extraordinary career that spanned more than five decades and established him as one of R&B’s most distinctive and enduring voices.
Bryson’s name became synonymous with romantic ballads, but his reach extended far beyond traditional R&B audiences. He achieved global fame through a series of memorable duets, most notably A Whole New World with Regina Belle from Disney’s Aladdin. The song made history in 1993 as the first track from an animated film to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned Bryson a Grammy Award.
He would capture another Grammy with Beauty and the Beast, his celebrated duet with Canadian superstar Celine Dion from Disney’s animated classic of the same name.
Throughout his career, Bryson became known as one of music’s premier duet partners, collaborating with artists including Roberta Flack and Natalie Cole. His timeless recordings such as Tonight, I Celebrate My Love, You’re Looking Like Love to Me, Make the World Stand Still, and As Long as There’s Christmas remain staples of adult contemporary and R&B radio.
Bryson’s journey to stardom began long before the awards and chart-topping success. As a teenager, he performed with a local South Carolina group called Al Freeman and the Upsetters. It was there that his nickname “Peabo” was born after bandleader Al Freeman repeatedly mispronounced his given middle name, Peapo.
He later honed his craft touring the famed Chitlin’ Circuit with Moses Dillard and the Tex-Town Display. His talent soon caught the attention of Bang Records, which released his debut album, Peabo, in 1976.
Commercial success followed quickly. His 1978 hit Reaching for the Sky became his first Top 10 R&B single, while collaborations with Natalie Cole on Gimme Some Time and What You Won’t Do for Love further established him as one of the genre’s most reliable hitmakers. His partnership with Roberta Flack produced a string of beloved duets, culminating in the classic Tonight, I Celebrate My Love, which became one of the defining love songs of the 1980s.
Over the course of his career, Bryson released more than 20 albums and earned a reputation for combining technical brilliance with emotional depth, a rare gift that allowed his music to resonate across generations.
Even health challenges failed to dim his spirit. In 2019, Bryson suffered a heart attack but recovered and continued to engage with fans who had supported him throughout his remarkable journey.
Paying tribute to the singer, his family reflected on the profound impact of his music.
“For more than five decades, Peabo’s extraordinary voice served as the soundtrack to some of life’s most cherished moments. His music carried generations through joyful celebrations, great love stories, and enduring moments of comfort and inspiration.”
That legacy now lives on through a catalogue of songs that transcended eras, genres, and borders.
Peabo Bryson is survived by his wife and two children. Though the man is gone, the voice that gave life to some of music’s most unforgettable melodies will continue to echo for generations to come.
English (US) ·