Peabo Bryson, the two-time Grammy Award-winning singer whose smooth tenor voice helped define romantic R&B ballads and some of Disney’s most beloved movie songs, has died at the age of 75.
According to family members, Bryson passed away June 2 after suffering a stroke. He was surrounded by family at the time of his death.
Over a career that spanned more than five decades, Bryson established himself as one of contemporary music’s most accomplished vocalists, earning critical acclaim and commercial success through both his solo recordings and a series of memorable duets that became staples of R&B and pop radio.
Born Robert Peapo Bryson on April 13, 1951, in Greenville, South Carolina, he developed a love for music at an early age. He began performing professionally as a teenager and toured the Chitlin’ Circuit before landing a songwriting, producing and arranging contract with Atlanta-based Bang Records. His first album, Peabo, was released in 1976, launching a recording career that would span more than 20 albums.
Bryson’s early success came with songs such as “Feel the Fire,” “Reaching for the Sky,” “I’m So Into You,” and “Let the Feeling Flow.” His popularity continued to grow throughout the 1980s with hits including “If Ever You’re in My Arms Again,” which became his first Top 10 pop single, and “Can You Stop the Rain,” which topped the Billboard R&B albums chart in 1991.
Known for his rich, expressive vocals and sophisticated romantic style, Bryson became one of the era’s premier balladeers. His collaborations with some of music’s most celebrated female artists further cemented his legacy. Among his most popular recordings was “Tonight, I Celebrate My Love,” a duet with Roberta Flack that remains a favorite among R&B fans decades after its release.
Bryson also recorded successful duets with Natalie Cole, Angela Bofill, Regina Belle and Celine Dion.
While he had already achieved significant success in R&B music, Bryson reached a new level of international fame through his work on Disney animated film soundtracks.
In 1992, he teamed with Dion to record “Beauty and the Beast,” the title song from Disney’s animated classic. The recording earned Bryson his first Grammy Award and became one of the defining songs of his career.
A year later, Bryson partnered with Belle on “A Whole New World,” the soaring love theme from Disney’s Aladdin. The song became a global sensation, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 — the first song from an animated film ever to accomplish the feat. The recording earned both Grammy and Academy Award honors and introduced Bryson’s voice to an entirely new generation of listeners.
Beyond music, Bryson also appeared in theater productions, including a performance as Sportin’ Life in Porgy and Bess, and contributed songs to television and film projects throughout his career.
Despite facing financial and health challenges later in life, Bryson continued performing and recording. In 2018, he released Stand for Love, his first studio album in several years, produced by legendary hitmakers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. The project was praised for showcasing the vocal talent that had made Bryson one of R&B’s most enduring performers.
In 2019, Bryson survived a heart attack and returned to performing after a successful recovery. However, family members confirmed that he suffered a stroke in late May and died two days later at a hospital in Marietta, Georgia.
Tributes poured in from fans and fellow artists who remembered him as one of the finest male vocalists of his generation. His influence can be heard in countless R&B singers who followed, while his recordings continue to resonate with audiences around the world.
Bryson is survived by his wife, Tanya Boniface, their son, a daughter from a previous relationship and several grandchildren.
With a catalog that includes romantic classics, chart-topping duets and timeless Disney favorites, Peabo Bryson leaves behind a musical legacy that will continue to inspire listeners for generations to come.
