Remembering R&B Legend Peabo Bryson
Grammy-winning R&B singer Peabo Bryson, known for Disney duets, dies at 75
Peabo Bryson, the Grammy-winning R&B balladeer whose voice defined some of the most beloved Disney films of the 1990s, died on June 2, 2026, at the age of 75. His death came from complications of a stroke he suffered at his Atlanta-area home on May 28, according to TheGrio and Variety.
His family announced the passing that evening, saying "Peabo's extraordinary voice served as the soundtrack to some of life's most cherished moments." He is survived by his wife, Tanya Boniface Bryson, and his two children, Robert and Linda, according to Fox 13 Tampa Bay.
Disney Duets That Made Him a Household Name
Bryson rose to global fame in the early 1990s with two back-to-back Disney hits. He sang "Beauty and the Beast" with Celine Dion for the 1991 animated film, then "A Whole New World" with Regina Belle for 1992's Aladdin. Both songs won Academy Awards. Both also earned him Grammy Awards — in 1992 and 1993, according to The Post and Courier.
His Disney success made him the first artist in music history to top four different Billboard charts at the same time, according to LA Times. Beyond Disney, he was charting on adult contemporary, classical crossover, and contemporary jazz charts all at once in 1992 — a feat never matched before or since.
Six Decades of R&B Before the Disney Fame
Bryson was far more than a Disney singer. Born Robert Peapo Bryson in Greenville, South Carolina, in 1951, he started performing at age 14 on the "Chitlin' Circuit" — a network of Black-owned venues across the South. He released his first studio album in the mid-1970s and built a loyal fanbase with hits like "Feel the Fire" and "Reaching for the Sky," according to SoulTracks.
By the 1980s, he was a fixture on the R&B charts with songs like "Tonight I Celebrate My Love" and "If Ever You're in My Arms Again." In total, he released 20 studio albums across a 61-year career, according to People. Greenville Mayor Knox White said the city "holds Peabo Bryson close to its heart," noting his journey from segregated schools to global stardom, according to The State.
A Stroke Ends a Career That Survived a 2019 Heart Attack
This was not Bryson's first serious health scare. In April 2019, he suffered a mild heart attack at his home in Marietta, Georgia. He recovered fully and later returned to the fire station that helped save him to thank the first responders personally, according to WSB-TV. He was back on stage within months.
The stroke on May 28, 2026 proved fatal. A representative confirmed on May 31 that he was "under medical care," and the family asked for privacy, according to Variety. He died three days later at 5:00 p.m. ET on June 2, surrounded by family.
Unfinished Album and Canceled Tour Now Part of His Legacy
At the time of his death, Bryson was working on a new album called Grace, produced by legendary duo Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. He was also writing a memoir covering his 50 years in music, according to SoulTracks. The fate of both projects now rests with his estate.
Bryson was also in the middle of his "Golden Touch Tour," with dates scheduled through late 2026 in cities including Chicago, Dallas, and Philadelphia. Those shows have been effectively canceled, according to Yahoo News. His family thanked fans worldwide for "the outpouring of love, prayers and support" in the hours after his death.
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