03/06/2026
Born Robert Peapo Bryson on April 13, 1951, in Greenville, South Carolina, he became one of the defining voices of adult contemporary and soul music from the late 1970s through the 1990s.
Bryson rose to fame with solo hits such as:
* “Feel the Fire”
* “Reaching for the Sky”
* “If Ever You’re in My Arms Again”
* “Can You Stop the Rain”
* “I’m So Into You”
He became especially famous for romantic duets with female vocalists including:
* Roberta Flack — “Tonight, I Celebrate My Love”
* Regina Belle — “A Whole New World”
* Celine Dion — “Beauty and the Beast”
His Disney soundtrack work became iconic worldwide:
* “Beauty and the Beast” won a Grammy in 1992.
* “A Whole New World” from Aladdin became the first song from an animated film to top the Billboard Hot 100.
Bryson released more than 20 albums over a career spanning five decades and collaborated with artists across soul, jazz, and pop music.
Peabo Bryson passed today, June 2, 2026, at age 75 following complications from a stroke. Tributes from fans and fellow musicians have highlighted his influence on R&B, love songs, and Disney music generations grew up with.
