Peabo Bryson, a legendary R&B singer known for his silky voice and soulful ballads, has died. He was 75 years old.
Bryson passed away on Tuesday, June 2, just days after he suffered a stroke, his family confirmed in a statement to People magazine.
“We are tremendously moved by the outpouring of love, prayers and support from fans, friends, and colleagues around the world,” the statement read. “While our hearts are broken, we find comfort in knowing how deeply Peabo was loved and how many lives were touched by his voice and his generous spirit. His legacy and music will live on for generations to come.”
A rep for the singer-songwriter said over the weekend he was undergoing medical treatment following a stroke.
“Two-time Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and balladeer, Peabo Bryson — the voice behind the Oscar-winning Disney songs ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and ‘A Whole New World’ — has suffered a stroke and is currently under medical care,” the rep shared on Sunday, May 31.
Bryson was previously hospitalized in 2019, after he had a heart attack. He fully recovered and resumed his career.
Just last year, the singer embarked on a multi-city tour celebrating his five-decade career. “2025 is a huge milestone for me as I celebrate 50 years in music!!” Bryson shared on social media when he announced the tour.
He was born Robert L. Bryson in Greenville, South Carolina on April 13, 1951, according to his official website. He began performing as a teenager and got his big break on the so-called Chitlin’ Circuit with Moses Dillard and the Tex-Town Display.
Bryson is perhaps best known for performing the award-winning tracks for the Disney films Beauty and the Beast (1991) and Aladdin (1992). He performed “Beauty and the Beast” with Céline Dion and “A Whole New World” with Regina Belle. Each song went on to win an Academy Award.
The singer-songwriter had a string of hits in the 1970s and ’80s, including “Feel the Fire,” “If Ever You’re in My Arms Again,” and the duet “Tonight, I Celebrate My Love” with Roberta Flack.
He was also nominated for an Emmy Award in 1970, for the song “I Found Love” from the daytime television series All My Children. Over the years, Bryson released 20 studio albums and was nominated eight times for Grammy Awards.
The singer acted as well. He had a small role on the television series Fame, a voice role on the animated King of the Hill, and he appeared in stage productions.
Bryson lived in the Atlanta area over the last few decades, according to published reports.
He welcomed a daughter named Linda in 1968. In 2010, Bryson married Tanya Boniface, who was a member of the British girl group The 411. The two welcomed their son Robert in 2018.
Peabo Bryson is survived by his wife and children.
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