Music Legend Peabo Bryson, Voice of Disney Classics, Passes Away at 75

Published 1 hour ago2 minute read
Precious Eseaye
Precious Eseaye
Music Legend Peabo Bryson, Voice of Disney Classics, Passes Away at 75

Grammy-winning and hitmaking singer Peabo Bryson, celebrated for his legendary love songs, has passed away at the age of 75. His representative confirmed to Billboard that Bryson had suffered a stroke over the weekend and was under medical care. With profound sadness, his family released a statement announcing his peaceful transition at 5:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family and closest companions.

Throughout his illustrious, decades-long career, Peabo Bryson left an indelible mark on the music industry. He achieved notable success on the Billboard Hot 100, charting 12 hits, which began with his 1981 duet “Lovers After All” with Melissa Manchester. Among these, three songs soared into the top 10. Bryson notably reached the pinnacle of the chart in 1993 with his recording of Disney’s beloved “A Whole New World (Aladdin’s Theme),” a memorable duet with Regina Belle.

Prior to this, Bryson had already captivated audiences with another Disney classic. In 1992, his duet with a then-23-year-old Celine Dion on “Beauty and the Beast” reached No. 9 on the Hot 100. These two iconic Disney collaborations brought Bryson his two Grammy Awards, out of a total of eight nominations. Both duets were recognized consecutively, winning Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 1993 and 1994, respectively.

Bryson’s influence was also significantly felt on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, where he placed 41 hits between 1976 and 1993, including 10 top 10 entries. Two of these, “Show & Tell” and “Can You Stop the Rain,” achieved the coveted No. 1 spot. Furthermore, he registered 21 entries on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart from 1976 to 2007, with seven making it into the top 10, and his album “Can You Stop the Rain” reaching No. 1.

The Bryson family expressed their immense gratitude for the overwhelming outpouring of love, prayers, and support from fans, friends, and colleagues worldwide. Despite their broken hearts, they conveyed finding comfort in knowing how deeply Peabo was cherished and how many lives were positively impacted by his distinctive voice and generous spirit. They affirmed that his profound legacy and timeless music will continue to resonate for generations to come. One of Bryson's final posts on social media accounts, from April, featured a carousel of family photos celebrating his 75th birthday, accompanied by the caption “This is 75!!” and an expression of thanks for well wishes.

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