Peabo Bryson, Voice of Disney Classics, Dies at 75

Peabo Bryson, the two-time Grammy-winning R&B and soul singer whose velvety voice defined a generation of Disney animated classics, died on June 2, 2026, at the age of 75. According to a statement from his family provided to Rolling Stone, Bryson passed away peacefully at 5:00 p.m. ET, surrounded by family, after suffering a stroke over the preceding weekend.

“With broken hearts and profound sadness, the family of two-time Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and balladeer, Peabo Bryson, announces his passing,” the family said in a statement shared with Billboard. “He transitioned peacefully at 5:00 p.m. ET on the evening of Tuesday, June 2, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family and those closest to him.”

The Voice Behind Disney’s Golden Era

Bryson was best known for two of the most iconic Disney duets of all time. His recording of “Beauty and the Beast” with Céline Dion, released in 1991, reached No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and won an Oscar, a Golden Globe, and two Grammy Awards. The following year, his duet with Regina Belle on “A Whole New World” from Aladdin topped the Billboard Hot 100 and earned three Grammys, including Song of the Year — a feat no other Disney song has achieved.

“My heart is broken,” Céline Dion wrote in a tribute reported by VRT NWS. “He was so generous all those years ago. He put me at ease, when I was still just learning to sing in English. He will forever be a symbol of the joy that music has brought into my life.”

A Five-Decade Career

Born Robert Peopo Bryson on April 13, 1951, in Greenville, South Carolina, Bryson began his professional music career in the late 1960s, touring with Moses Dillard. He released his debut album Peabo in 1976 and signed with Capitol Records the following year, as Deadline reported.

Over his five-decade career, Bryson released 20 solo albums, scoring three consecutive gold-certified albums in 1978–79: Reaching for the Sky, Crosswinds, and We’re the Best of Friends — a duets album with Natalie Cole. His 1983 duet album with Roberta Flack, Born to Love, also went gold and produced the enduring classic “Tonight, I Celebrate My Love.”

On the Billboard charts, Bryson placed 12 hits on the Hot 100, including three top 10s, and 41 hits on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, with two No. 1s: “Show & Tell” (1989) and “Can You Stop the Rain” (1991), according to USA Today.

A Master of the Ballad

Bryson was renowned as a duet specialist, his pristine tenor complementing a remarkable roster of female vocalists including Céline Dion, Regina Belle, Roberta Flack, and Natalie Cole. He also collaborated with Kenny G on “By the Time This Night Is Over” and worked with artists across genres.

In a 2018 interview with Rolling Stone, Bryson reflected on his career with characteristic humility: “If I were to tell you the emotions I feel most every day: gratitude for one, humility for another, and validation. Not how you think, but validation in the faith that I’ve kept in myself and those around me, and the person that I’ve managed to maintain myself to be.”

A Legacy That Transcends Generations

Bryson’s final album, Stand for Love, was released in 2018. He had planned several concerts later in 2026 to celebrate his 50-year career. He suffered a heart attack in 2019 but recovered, continuing to perform and connect with audiences worldwide.

His family’s statement captured the breadth of his impact: “More than 5 decades long, Peabo’s extraordinary voice formed the soundtrack of some of the most cherished moments in life. His music led generations through joyful celebrations, beautiful love stories, and lasting moments of comfort and inspiration.”

“A Whole New World” remains the only Disney song ever to win the Grammy for Song of the Year — a testament to Bryson’s unique place in music history. His voice, which brought to life some of the most beloved animated moments of the late 20th century, will continue to resonate with audiences for generations to come.

Bryson is survived by his family. Plans for a public memorial have not yet been announced.