WeeklySA_AdminBALLADEER: From Grammy-winning R&B classics to Oscar-winning Disney duets that captivated generations, Peabo Bryson’s velvet voice became the soundtrack to love, hope and inspiration. Tributes have poured in following the death of the legendary singer, including an emotional farewell from long-time duet partner Regina Belle…
By WSAM Correspondent and NPR
NEW YORK — Peabo Bryson, the two-time Grammy Award-winning R&B singer whose rich, soulful voice defined some of popular music’s most beloved duets and ballads, has died at the age of 75.
Bryson died on Tuesday evening, June 2, days after suffering a stroke, his family announced in a statement.
“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,” the family said. “His legacy and music will live on for generations to come.”
For more than five decades, Bryson’s extraordinary vocal talent made him one of the most respected and enduring voices in American music. Equally at home in R&B, soul, gospel and pop, he became renowned for songs that celebrated love, devotion and emotional honesty.
To millions around the world, Bryson will forever be remembered as the voice behind two of Disney’s most iconic songs. His duet with Celine Dion, Beauty and the Beast, won both a Grammy Award and an Academy Award in 1992, while his partnership with Regina Belle on A Whole New World from Disney’s Aladdin became a global phenomenon, topping the Billboard Hot 100 and earning both artists Grammy and Oscar glory.
Yet those career-defining moments represented only a fraction of a remarkable musical journey that spanned more than half a century.
Born in Greenville, South Carolina, Bryson discovered his love for music at an early age. He began his professional career in the 1970s with Moses Dillard and the Tex-Town Display before embarking on a solo path that would establish him as one of R&B’s premier balladeers.
His breakthrough came with a series of smooth, romantic recordings that showcased his distinctive tenor voice and impeccable phrasing. Songs such as Feel the Fire, I’m So Into You, Reaching for the Sky, If Ever You’re in My Arms Again and Can You Stop the Rain became staples of urban radio and earned him a loyal following across generations.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Bryson emerged as one of music’s most sought-after duet partners. His collaborations with Roberta Flack, Natalie Cole, Regina Belle and Celine Dion demonstrated a rare ability to blend voices while maintaining his own unmistakable presence.
His duet with Flack, Tonight, I Celebrate My Love, became one of the defining love songs of the 1980s and remains a favourite at weddings and romantic celebrations around the world.
Beyond the charts, Bryson built a reputation as a consummate performer and artist. He appeared in stage productions including Raisin, The Wiz and Porgy and Bess, bringing the same warmth and elegance to the theatre that characterised his recording career.
Even in his later years, Bryson remained committed to creating music. In 2018, he released Stand for Love, his 21st studio album, produced by legendary hitmakers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, proving that his passion for songwriting and performance had never diminished.
News of his death prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the entertainment world, but perhaps none were as moving as those from Grammy-winning singer Regina Belle, his longtime friend and duet partner.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Belle described Bryson as “like a brother” and recalled the deep bond they shared through music and friendship. “I lost one of my dearest and closest friends,” she said.
Belle revealed that she visited Bryson in hospital after he suffered a stroke and spent quiet moments at his bedside holding his hand and softly singing the songs that had defined their partnership — A Whole New World and Total Praise.
“The hardest part of this moment is knowing that I will never be able to sing again with the person who helped me create such magic,” she said.
The pair recorded four songs together over the course of their careers and shared some of music’s most memorable moments. Belle described Bryson as her “official duet partner” and praised his unmatched artistry.
“His virtuosity as a world-class vocalist was second to none,” she said. “As musicians, we had similar musical taste. I was fortunate to collaborate with him on four projects.”
While Belle acknowledged that their Grammy Awards and Academy Award were among the greatest honours of her career, she said what she treasured most were the memories they created together.
“What I treasure most are the memories, the laughter, the conversations, and the privilege of creating timeless music alongside one of the greatest vocalists of all time,” she said.
Belle also remembered Bryson’s kindness and generosity, qualities that endeared him to fellow artists and fans alike.
“He welcomed me into his world, shared his wisdom, and trusted me with pieces of himself beyond the spotlight,” she said.
Bryson’s family noted that his music provided the soundtrack to countless milestones in people’s lives.
“For more than five decades, Peabo’s extraordinary voice served as the soundtrack to some of life’s most cherished moments,” the family said. “His music carried generations through joyful celebrations, great love stories and enduring moments of comfort and inspiration.”
The singer had previously overcome serious health challenges. In 2019, he made a full recovery after suffering a heart attack. Friends and colleagues often remarked on his resilience, professionalism and unwavering devotion to his craft.
Comedian and television personality Loni Love recalled spending time with Bryson aboard a cruise ship last year.
“He shared incredible stories, spoke passionately about his music, and had such a deep love for his craft,” she wrote on social media. “I am so grateful to have had that special moment with him.”
For Regina Belle, however, Bryson’s legacy extends beyond awards, chart success and international acclaim.
“Those songs, those performances, and those memories can never be taken away,” she said. “They are forever woven into both of our legacies.”
As fans around the world revisit the music that made him a household name, Peabo Bryson leaves behind a catalogue rich in romance, soul and humanity. His voice accompanied first dances, anniversaries, family celebrations and moments of personal reflection for millions.
In the end, perhaps Belle’s farewell captured his legacy best.
“Rest peacefully, my friend,” she wrote. “Thank you for the music, the memories, and the magic.”
Bryson is survived by his family. Memorial and celebration-of-life arrangements will be announced at a later date. – Additional reporting by AP
