Peabo Bryson was a Grammy-winning R&B singer born April 13, 1951, known for “Beauty and the Beast” and “A Whole New World.” He passed away June 2, 2026, at 75.
Peabo Bryson was one of the most celebrated voices in American R&B and soul music, a singer whose warm, velvety tenor became synonymous with romantic ballads and timeless love songs. Born Robert Peapo Bryson on April 13, 1951, in Greenville, South Carolina, he spent more than five decades building a legacy that stretched from the soul charts of the 1970s to the hearts of Disney fans worldwide. He earned the enduring nickname “the Voice of Love” — a title no one who ever heard him sing would dispute.
Bryson passed away on June 2, 2026, in Marietta, Georgia, at the age of 75, several days after suffering a stroke. His death marked the end of a career that produced over 20 albums, two Grammy Awards, and some of the most beloved duets in music history. He is survived by his wife, Tanya Boniface Bryson, a son, a daughter, and three grandchildren.
Quick Facts About Peabo Bryson
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Robert Peapo Bryson |
| Date of Birth | April 13, 1951 |
| Date of Death | June 2, 2026 |
| Age at Death | 75 |
| Birthplace | Greenville, South Carolina, USA |
| Profession | Singer, Songwriter, Record Producer |
| Net Worth | Approximately $2.5 million |
| Spouse | Tanya Boniface Bryson (married 2010) |
| Children | Son (Robert, known as Kit); daughter Linda |
| Famous For | “Beauty and the Beast,” “A Whole New World,” “Tonight, I Celebrate My Love” |
| Grammy Awards | 2 (1993 and 1994) |
Early Life and Family
Peabo Bryson grew up far from the music industry’s bright lights, spending much of his childhood on his maternal grandparents’ farm in Mauldin, South Carolina. His father, Telford Copeland, was largely absent, and he was raised primarily by his mother, Marie Bryson, who played a pivotal role in shaping his love for music. She regularly took the family to see prominent Black artists of the day, including Little Richard and Sam Cooke.
Bryson later recalled being able to sing along with concert songs at just five or six years old. That gift became apparent to everyone around him early on. After winning a local talent contest at age 12, he began singing backup for a Greenville group called Al Freeman and the Upsetters, marking his first step toward a professional career.
It was during his teenage years that the name “Peabo” stuck. A bandleader had difficulty pronouncing his French West Indian name “Peapo,” and the simpler pronunciation became the stage name the world would come to know.
Education and Early Career Training
Bryson’s most formative education happened not in a classroom but on the road. As a teenager, he joined Moses Dillard and the Tex-Town Display, a band that toured nationally on the Chitlin Circuit and gave him invaluable experience as a professional performer. Those early years of touring shaped his stage presence, his vocal discipline, and his understanding of what audiences wanted to feel.
His formal academic background was secondary to his musical apprenticeship. By the time he was a young adult, Bryson had already developed the technical control and emotional range that would define his signature sound.
Rise to Fame: From Bang Records to Capitol
Bryson’s professional break came when he caught the ear of a Bang Records executive in Atlanta who signed him not as a performer but as a songwriter and producer. The experience at Bang Records sharpened his craft behind the scenes before his own voice took center stage.
He released his debut album, Peabo, in 1976 while at Bang Records. The following year, he signed with Capitol Records and released Reaching for the Sky, which became a gold album. His momentum was immediate. By 1978 and 1979, he had three consecutive gold albums — Reaching for the Sky, Crosswinds, and We’re the Best of Friends, a duets album with Natalie Cole.
Solo hits like “Feel the Fire,” “I’m So Into You,” and “If Ever You’re in My Arms Again” — which reached the Top 10 on the pop charts in 1984 — cemented his reputation as one of R&B’s most dependable stars. He later moved to Elektra Records in 1984 and had a memorable moment in 1985 when he appeared on the ABC soap opera One Life to Live to sing a lyrical version of its classic theme song.
The Disney Years: Grammy-Winning Duets That Defined a Generation
No chapter of Peabo Bryson’s career resonated more widely than his work on Disney animated soundtracks. In 1991, he paired with Céline Dion to record “Beauty and the Beast” for the film of the same name. The song reached the Top 10 on the pop charts and earned both singers the Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 1993.
The very next year brought another Disney triumph. Bryson and Regina Belle recorded “A Whole New World” for Aladdin, and the song made history by becoming the first song from an animated film to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It won Bryson his second Grammy in 1994, in the same category as his first. Both Disney songs also won the Academy Award for Best Original Song, making them among the most decorated recordings of the early 1990s.
These recordings introduced Bryson’s voice to an entirely new generation of listeners and cemented his place in pop culture history. His collaboration skills extended beyond Disney — he had previously recorded “Tonight, I Celebrate My Love” with Roberta Flack in 1983, which became one of the most recognizable romantic duets ever made, and later teamed with Kenny G on “By the Time This Night Is Over” from the 1993 album Breathless, which sold over 12 million copies in the U.S. alone.
Personal Life and Family
Peabo Bryson married singer Tanya Boniface on July 20, 2010. Tanya had been a member of the English girl group the 411. Together they had a son, Robert, affectionately known as Kit, who occasionally joined his father onstage. Bryson also had a daughter named Linda from a previous relationship.
The couple shared a deeply committed bond. When Bryson suffered a heart attack in 2019, Tanya was by his side and later visited the Cobb County Fire Station to personally thank the first responders who helped save her husband’s life. “From the minute it happened to the minute they found a pulse to the minute he got better, the whole thing has been flawless,” she said at the time.
Health Struggles
Bryson faced serious health challenges in the final years of his life. In April 2019, he suffered a mild heart attack and was hospitalized, forcing him to cancel several concerts while he recovered. He made a full recovery and returned to performing, a testament to his resilience.
Then, in late May 2026, Bryson suffered a stroke. He passed away on June 2, 2026, in Marietta, Georgia, with his family by his side.
Net Worth and Career Earnings
Peabo Bryson’s estimated net worth at the time of his passing was approximately $2.5 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. His earnings came from album sales, touring, songwriting royalties, and collaborations spanning more than five decades. He released over 20 solo albums, five of which achieved gold certification.
His financial journey was not without difficulty. In 2003, the IRS seized property from his Atlanta home to pay a $1.2 million tax debt, and both Grammy Awards were auctioned. A family friend purchased back his “A Whole New World” Grammy, vowing to return it to him — a poignant moment that spoke to the loyalty he inspired in those around him.
Legacy and Impact
Peabo Bryson’s legacy is woven into the fabric of American popular music. He was the first artist in music history to have separate records top four different charts simultaneously. He recorded over 20 albums, earned two Grammy Awards, and contributed vocals that helped define both the golden age of R&B and the Disney renaissance of the early 1990s.
Beyond the charts, Bryson used his platform to speak out on racism, ageism, and unfair business practices in the recording industry. He worked with Closing The Gap In Healthcare to raise awareness in underserved communities, and in 2016 was honored during the LowCountry Jazz Festival in South Carolina, which declared an official “Peabo Bryson Day.”
His warm tenor remained unmistakable to the end — a voice that, as one tribute put it, made millions of listeners feel celebrated, cherished, and seen.
Final Thoughts
Peabo Bryson leaves behind a discography that will outlast generations. From “Feel the Fire” in the late 1970s to the Disney classics that still play on screens around the world, his voice was a constant companion to life’s most meaningful moments — weddings, first dances, childhood memories, and quiet evenings alike.
He was more than a singer. He was a craftsman who understood that music, at its best, is a gift from one human heart to another. The world is quieter without him, but the songs remain — and they always will.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Who was Peabo Bryson?
Peabo Bryson was a Grammy-winning American R&B and soul singer born on April 13, 1951, in Greenville, South Carolina. He was best known for romantic ballads and iconic duets, including “Beauty and the Beast” with Céline Dion and “A Whole New World” with Regina Belle. He passed away on June 2, 2026, at the age of 75.
Q2: How did Peabo Bryson die?
Peabo Bryson passed away on June 2, 2026, in Marietta, Georgia, several days after suffering a stroke. He had previously survived a heart attack in 2019.
Q3: How many Grammy Awards did Peabo Bryson win?
Peabo Bryson won two Grammy Awards, both for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal — one in 1993 for “Beauty and the Beast” with Céline Dion, and another in 1994 for “A Whole New World” with Regina Belle.
Q4: Who was Peabo Bryson’s wife?
Peabo Bryson was married to Tanya Boniface Bryson, a former member of the English girl group the 411. They wed on July 20, 2010, and remained together until his death.
Q5: What was Peabo Bryson’s net worth?
At the time of his death, Peabo Bryson’s estimated net worth was approximately $2.5 million, accumulated through album sales, touring, songwriting royalties, and decades of collaborations.
Q6: What were Peabo Bryson’s biggest hits?
His most celebrated recordings include “Beauty and the Beast” (with Céline Dion), “A Whole New World” (with Regina Belle), “Tonight, I Celebrate My Love” (with Roberta Flack), “If Ever You’re in My Arms Again,” “Feel the Fire,” and “Can You Stop the Rain.”
Q7: Did Peabo Bryson have children?
Yes, Peabo Bryson had two children — a son named Robert (known as Kit), whom he shared with his wife Tanya Boniface Bryson, and a daughter named Linda from a previous relationship. He also had three grandchildren.
