Peabo Bryson, the velvety-voiced balladeer whose love songs and Disney duets made him a household name, died on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at the age of 75. His family confirmed his passing in Marietta, Georgia, just days after announcing he had suffered a stroke. According to Billboard, Bryson "transitioned peacefully at 5:00 p.m. ET on the evening of Tuesday, June 2, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family and those closest to him." The news quickly rippled through the music world, prompting an outpouring of tributes from fans and fellow artists alike.
Born Robert Peapo Bryson on April 13, 1951, in Greenville, South Carolina, Bryson’s journey from small-town roots to international acclaim was marked by resilience, talent, and a knack for heartfelt storytelling. He spent his childhood split between Greenville’s Southernside neighborhood and his grandfather’s farm in Mauldin, attending the segregated Beck High School. By age 14, he was already performing at Mayberry Park, and in the mid-1960s, he began singing backup for local group Al Freeman and the Upsetters. According to WYFF News 4, his early nickname "Little Willie" soon gave way to the stage name Peabo, a moniker that would become synonymous with romance and soul.
Bryson’s professional career took off in the late 1960s when he toured with Moses Dillard, making his recorded debut on the self-released album Now! by Moses Dillard & the Tex-Town Display. Signing with Bang Records in the 1970s, he released his first solo album, Peabo, in 1976. Four ballads from that record—"It’s Just a Matter of Time," "Underground Music," "Just Another Day," and "I Can Make It Better"—all reached the top 30 on the U.S. soul charts, signaling the arrival of a new voice in R&B. As The New York Times put it, Bryson quickly established himself as an heir to legends like Sam Cooke and Nat King Cole.
Throughout the late 1970s and 1980s, Bryson’s star only continued to rise. He signed with Capitol Records in 1977, then Elektra Records in 1984, before returning to Capitol. His music, often centered on the complexities of relationships and passionate love, resonated with adult contemporary audiences. "Relationships are a vast thing," Bryson told The Chicago Tribune in 1986. "They’re like people: Everyone is different. So I write about them as I see them, and as I have experienced them." His catalog grew to include about 20 albums, with hits like "If Ever You’re in My Arms Again," "Can You Stop the Rain," "Feel the Fire," and the iconic duet "Tonight, I Celebrate My Love" with Roberta Flack.
But for millions, Bryson’s voice is forever tied to two of Disney’s most beloved songs: "Beauty and the Beast" (with Celine Dion) and "A Whole New World" (with Regina Belle). The former, featured in the 1991 animated classic, reached No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and won a Grammy in 1993 for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. The latter, recorded for Aladdin in 1992, soared to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100—the first song from a Disney animated film to do so—and earned Bryson a second Grammy in 1994, as well as an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for Best Original Song. As Gold Derby noted, these duets not only introduced Bryson’s voice to a new generation but also cemented his place in pop culture history.
His chart success was formidable: Bryson placed 12 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 between 1981 and 1993, including three top 10 hits. On Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, he scored 41 hits from 1976 to 1993, with 10 reaching the top 10 and two—"Show & Tell" and "Can You Stop the Rain"—hitting No. 1. He also had 21 entries on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, with seven top 10s and a No. 1 album, Can You Stop the Rain. His accolades extended beyond the Grammys, with multiple nominations for songs like "Lost in the Night" and "Did You Ever Know," and his influence on the genre was profound.
Bryson’s reputation as one of music’s most sought-after duet partners led to collaborations with not only Dion and Belle, but also Roberta Flack and Natalie Cole. His duet with Flack, "Tonight, I Celebrate My Love," became a defining love song of the 1980s, while "If Ever You’re in My Arms Again" helped him cross over to a broader audience. In the late 1990s, he even performed on the U.S. concert tour of The Wiz revival, further showcasing his versatility.
Despite health setbacks—including a massive heart attack in 2019 from which he made a full recovery—Bryson continued to perform and record. His final studio album, Stand for Love, was released in 2018 through Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis’s Perspective Records. Even in his later years, he remained closely connected to his roots. In May 2023, he performed at Greenville’s Peace Center, where Mayor Knox White presented him with a Key to the City. The following year, he attended the unveiling of a mural in his honor at The Commons in Unity Park, a testament to the enduring pride his hometown felt for its native son.
On social media, Bryson’s last posts captured his gratitude and joy at reaching 75—a milestone he celebrated with family photos and a heartfelt message: "This is 75!! Thank you for all my well wishes," he wrote, punctuating the sentiment with a heart-hands emoji. He is survived by his wife, Tanya Bonaface Bryson, his children, Robert and Linda, and three grandchildren. Details about a celebration of life and memorial arrangements will be announced in the coming days, according to his family.
"We are tremendously moved by the outpouring of love, prayers and support from fans, friends, and colleagues around the world," Bryson’s family said in a statement shared by Hollywood Reporter. "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."
Peabo Bryson’s passing marks the end of an era for R&B and pop music, but his songs—timeless, tender, and filled with longing—will continue to serenade listeners for generations. His voice, once dubbed the "Voice of Love," remains, as ever, unforgettable.