Peabo Bryson, most well-known for his performances on themes from Disney movies Beauty And The Beast and Aladdin, passed away yesterday morning at the age of 75. While no cause of death has been reported, tributes have come through from across the world, including from Celine Dion, who duetted with him on the track ‘Beauty And The Beast’.
Born in Greenville, South Carolina in 1951, Bryson’s career as a solo artist included multiple Top 10 singles and albums on the US’s Billboard R&B Chart between the 1970s and 2010s, with 1991 album ‘Can You Stop The Rain’ and its title track both topping it. His biggest success in the UK was with his 1983 collaborative album ‘Born To Love’ with singer Roberta Flack, which landed at 15 in the UK Album Chart while the lead single ‘Tonight, I Celebrate My Love’ managed to reach Number 2. As an individual, he was nominated 5 times at the Grammy Awards and once for a Daytime Emmy Award.
Bryson’s most famous output came from his work with Disney – ‘Beauty And The Beast’ from the 1991 animation of the same name, which he sung with Celine Dion, and ‘A Whole New World’, performed with Regina Belle for 1993 movie Aladdin. Both songs won the Grammy awards for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals in 1992 and 1993 respectively, and have become cornerstones of nostalgic Disney scores for the last 30 years.
BBC News reported his passing this morning – according to a family source, he died aged 75 on Tuesday the 2nd of June, surrounded by friends and loved ones. No cause has been publicly confirmed, but it is reported he suffered a stroke over the weekend which he was receiving medical attention for.
One of the first to pay tribute was Celine Dion, who landed her first Canadian Top 5 Single with ‘Beauty And The Beast’. Posting a photo of her with Bryson, her emotional homage on social media site X reads “I’m heartbroken to hear that we lost Peabo Bryson today. His incredible voice and his kind spirit embodied the beauty of song and performance. He was so wonderful and generous to me all those years ago, when we recorded Beauty and the Beast. He made me so comfortable, as I was just learning to sing in English. He will remain for me always as a real symbol of the joy that music has brought to my life. His voice and his talent will be missed… My heart is with your family, and may you rest in peace, Peabo.”
I’m heartbroken to hear that we lost Peabo Bryson today. His incredible voice and his kind spirit embodied the beauty of song and performance. He was so wonderful and generous to me all those years ago, when we recorded Beauty and the Beast. He made me so comfortable, as I was… pic.twitter.com/ti8Tba33Or
— Celine Dion (@celinedion) June 3, 2026
Other kind words come from Andre Dickens, Mayor of Atlanta, where Peabo Bryson spent most of his prominent years in his early career. A statement from Dickens’ office says “Atlanta mourns the loss of one of music’s most beloved voices, Peabo Bryson. For decades, Peabo’s extraordinary talent, timeless artistry, and unmistakable voice provided the soundtrack to some of life’s most cherished moments. From Grammy-winning classics to unforgettable duets that transcended generations, his music brought joy, comfort and inspiration to millions around the world. Atlanta was proud to call Peabo Bryson one of our own. His career was deeply connected to the city, where his artistry flourished and where he helped shape Atlanta’s rich musical legacy, creativity and culture. On behalf of the City of Atlanta, I extend my deepest condolences to is wife, children, loved ones, friends, and fans around the world during this difficult time.”
Bryson is survived by wife Tanya Bonaface Bryson, children Robert and Linda, and three grandchildren. The BBC shared a statement from his family which reads “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. 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 family shared. “His legacy and music will live on for generations to come.”
