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Peabo Bryson, the two-time Grammy Award-winning singer whose soaring vocals helped define some of the most beloved love songs of the past five decades, has died at the age of 75. The legendary R&B vocalist passed away on June 2, 2026, surrounded by family and loved ones, days after suffering a stroke.

Born Robert Peapo Bryson in Greenville, South Carolina, Bryson built a remarkable career that spanned more than 50 years. He became one of the most recognizable voices in contemporary R&B and adult contemporary music, earning acclaim for classics such as If Ever You’re in My Arms Again, Can You Stop the Rain, Feel the Fire, and Tonight, I Celebrate My Love. His voice also became permanently associated with Disney through the Grammy-winning duets Beauty and the Beast with Celine Dion in 1993 and A Whole New World with Regina Belle in 1994.

In a statement released by his family, they announced:

With broken hearts and profound sadness, the family of two-time Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and balladeer, Peabo Bryson, announces his passing. 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 family later added:

We are tremendously moved by the outpouring of love, prayers and support from fans, friends, and colleagues around the world. 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. His legacy and music will live on for generations to come.

Although an official cause of death has not been formally released, Bryson’s death came shortly after he suffered a stroke and was placed under medical care. He had previously recovered from a heart attack in 2019.

Tributes quickly poured in across social media from fellow artists and fans. Among the most heartfelt messages was one from longtime collaborator Celine Dion, who wrote in her Instagram tribute:

I’m heartbroken to hear that we lost Peabo Bryson today.  His incredible voice and his kind spirit embodied the beauty of song and performance.  He was so wonderful and generous to me all those years ago, when we recorded Beauty and the Beast. He made me so comfortable, as I was just learning to sing in English.  He will remain for me always as a real symbol of the joy that music has brought to my life. His voice and his talent will be missed…  

My heart is with your family, and may you rest in peace, Peabo.  

Love,  

Celine xx…

Beyond his music, Bryson was widely known within the entertainment industry as a gracious performer who earned a reputation among fans for inclusivity and respect. Public reactions from LGBTQ+ communities following news of his death reflected the deep affection many queer fans held for his music, particularly his iconic Disney ballads and romantic duets.

In a past interview with SGN, Bryson reflected on his decades of allyship, revealing that his support stretched back to the earliest days of the modern gay rights movement.

Always have been. I started supporting people’s rights to choose long before that was an actual slogan, and I lent my talents pro bono to the original Gay Pride, the one that Harvey Milk started. Oh, wow, San Francisco. It’s what you do. It’s right to choose. It’s right to choose. And rights are rights. Yeah. That’s, you know, that’s how I see it. You grow up, you grow out, and you grow wiser. You know, it’s a right to choose. Nobody has the right to bother that.

For many LGBTQ+ fans, Bryson’s legacy extends beyond his music. Following his passing, writer Gerald Farinas of GoPride Gerry column reflected on the profound impact Bryson’s voice had on queer youth growing up in the 1980s and 1990s. In a heartfelt tribute titled “Peabo Bryson voiced our queer childhood Disney dreams,” Farinas described how Bryson’s performances on Disney classics such as Beauty and the Beast and A Whole New World became deeply meaningful to closeted LGBTQ+ children like him searching for hope and belonging.

Farinas wrote about growing up in Honolulu while struggling to understand his sexuality and feeling isolated from the world around him. He recalled how Bryson’s gentle delivery of lyrics about change, acceptance, and discovery resonated with him at a time when being perceived as different felt frightening. In particular, Beauty and the Beast offered comfort through its message that transformation could be beautiful rather than something to fear.

The tribute also highlighted the significance of A Whole New World, whose lyrics about opening one’s eyes and exploring new possibilities spoke to many LGBTQ+ youth who dreamed of a future beyond the limitations and fears of the closet. For Farinas, and undoubtedly many others, Bryson’s voice became more than entertainment—it became a symbol of possibility.

“Peabo Bryson was a legendary R&B singer who spent his life singing about romantic love,” Farinas wrote. “But for the kids listening from the bedroom floor in Honolulu or Chicago or elsewhere, wondering if they would ever find a place where they belonged, he was something much bigger. His voice carried the weight of our closeted dreams, turning simple pop lyrics into verses that opened our eyes. He put a melody to a future we could not see yet, promising us that a whole new world was out there waiting.”

As tributes continue to emerge, stories like these illustrate how Bryson’s music transcended generations and communities. For generations of listeners, Peabo Bryson’s music provided the soundtrack to weddings, romances, family memories, and childhood favorites. Whether through his unforgettable Disney classics or his catalog of R&B love songs, his voice touched millions around the world.

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