Peabo Bryson, the veteran R&B singer best known as the singer behind the Disney film hits “Beauty and the Beast” and “Whole New World,” has died, according to a statement from his family. No cause of death was cited, although the family announced on Sunday that he had suffered a stroke
“With broken hearts and profound sadness, the family of two-time Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and balladeer, Peabo Bryson, announces his passing,” the statement reads in part. “He 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.”
“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, creating a legacy that will forever live in the hearts of those who loved him and the countless lives he touched through song.
“In this deeply difficult moment, the family asks for privacy as they mourn the loss of a beloved husband, father, family member, friend and artist whose impact extended far beyond the stage.
“We are tremendously moved by the outpouring of love, prayers and support from fans, friends, and colleagues around the world,” the family shared. “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.”
Best known for his smooth voice and duet hit ballads, Bryson, 75, scored hits with the above two songs — duets with Celine Dion and Regina Belle, respectively from hit Disney films — as well as “Tonight, I Celebrate My Love,” “You’re Looking Like Love to Me” and “As Long as There’s Christmas.”
Yet his association with those films belies his long career as an R&B singer. A native of South Carolina, Bryson came up in the 1970s as a member of the group Moses Dillard and the Tex-Town Display. He was signed to the Atlanta indie label Bang Records as a solo artist and released his first album in 1976, and upscaled to Capitol the following year.
A long string of R&B hits ensued, including 1977’s “Feel the Fire” and “Reaching for the Sky” and “I’m So into You” and “Crosswinds” the following year. In 1984 he scored his first Top 10 pop hit, “If Ever You’re in My Arms Again,” and followed with “Show and Tell” and “Can You Stop the Rain.” In 1985, he appeared on the soap opera “One Life to Live,” adding vocals its theme song; that version was subsequently adapted as the show’s main theme and ran on every episode for the next seven years.
During this time his duets with female singers became hits and he followed that track for the next decade. He recorded an album of duets with Roberta Flack, “Born to Love,” in 1983, and over the following years scored hits with Angela Bofill (“For You and I”), a string of duets with Regina Belle and several of the above-mentioned hits.
Celebration of life and memorial arrangements will be announced at a later date.
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