Peabo Bryson
Bryson in 2000
Born
Robert Peapo Bryson

(1951-04-13)April 13, 1951
Greenville, South Carolina, U.S.
Died June 2, 2026(2026-06-02) (aged 75)
Marietta, Georgia, U.S.
Occupations
  • Musician
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • dancer
  • record producer
Years active 1965–2026
Spouse
Tanya Boniface
​
(m. 2010)​
Children 2
Musical career
Genres
  • R&B
  • soul
  • smooth jazz
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • keyboards
  • guitar
Labels
  • Bullet / Bang
  • Capitol
  • Elektra
  • Columbia
  • Private Music
  • Peak
  • Perspective
  • Walt Disney

Robert Peapo "Peabo" Bryson[1] (/ˈpiːboʊ/ PEE-boh; April 13, 1951 – June 2, 2026) was an American singer and songwriter. After collaborating with singers Luther Vandross and Cissy Houston on his debut album Peabo (1976), he signed to Capitol Records and released the 1978 albums Reaching for the Sky and Crosswinds, which were certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). He later released the collaborative projects We're the Best of Friends (1979) with Natalie Cole and Born to Love (1983) with Roberta Flack, the latter of which included the hit single "Tonight, I Celebrate My Love".

In 1984, he signed to Elektra Records and released the single "If Ever You're in My Arms Again", which spent several weeks atop the adult contemporary chart. During this period, he earned several top ten albums on the U.S. Billboard R&B albums chart, with Can You Stop the Rain (1991) topping the chart. Bryson also contributed to several Disney animated feature soundtracks collaborating with Celine Dion on "Beauty and the Beast",[2] and Regina Belle on "A Whole New World", with the latter becoming the first song from an animated feature film to top the Billboard Hot 100. Bryson was a winner of two Grammy Awards, both attributed to his Disney duets.[3][4]

Early life

Born as Robert Peapo Bryson in Greenville, South Carolina, on April 13, 1951,[5] he spent much of his childhood on his grandfather's farm in Mauldin, South Carolina. Bryson's love for music stemmed from his mother, who often took the family to concerts of well-known black artists at the time.

Career

Bryson marked his professional debut at the age of 14, singing backup for Al Freeman and the Upsetters,[6] a local Greenville group. It was Freeman's difficulty in pronouncing Bryson's French West-Indian name, Peapo, that led Bryson to perform as Peabo. Two years later, he left home to tour the Chitlin' Circuit with another local band, Moses Dillard and the Tex-Town Display.[7] Bryson's first break came during a recording session at Atlanta's Bang Records. Although Bang was not impressed with Dillard's band, the young backup singer caught the ear of the label's general manager, Eddie Biscoe. Biscoe signed Bryson to a contract as a writer, producer, and arranger and encouraged Bryson to perform his own songs. For several years, Bryson worked with hometown bands and wrote and produced for Bang.[6] In 1976, he launched his own recording career with "Underground Music" on the Bang label. His first album, Peabo, followed shortly thereafter. Although only a regional success, Bryson signed to Capitol Records in 1977.

Bryson's greatest solo hits include 1977's "Feel the Fire" and "Reaching for the Sky", 1978's "I'm So into You" and "Crosswinds", 1982's "Let the Feeling Flow", 1984's "If Ever You're in My Arms Again" (his first Top 10 pop single, at No. 10 in the U.S.),[8] 1989's "Show and Tell", and the 1991 hit "Can You Stop the Rain".[7] In 1985, he appeared on the soap opera One Life to Live to sing a lyrical version of its theme song.[9] Bryson's vocals were added to the regular theme song in 1986 and his voice was heard daily until 1992. He recorded the successful album of romantic love duets with Roberta Flack (Born to Love) in 1983.[7] In 1988, Bryson recorded the duet "For You and I" with Angela Bofill.[10][11] In partnership with Regina Belle, Bryson recorded two hit duets: "Without You", the love theme from the comedy film Leonard Part 6, recorded in 1987, and "A Whole New World", the main theme of the Disney's animated feature film Aladdin, recorded in 1992. Bryson and Belle recorded four duets over the years: "Without You" (in 1987), "I Can't Imagine" (in 1991), "A Whole New World" (in 1992), and "Total Praise" (in 2009).[7]

He won two Grammy Awards: in 1992 for his performance of the song "Beauty and the Beast" with Celine Dion and in 1993 for "A Whole New World" with Regina Belle.

In early 1998, Bryson contributed his voice to Barney's Great Adventure: An Original Motion Picture Musical Soundtrack, with the song "Dream (Twinken's Tune)".

Bryson performed in theater and operatic productions, most notably the tenor role of "Sportin' Life" in the Michigan Opera Theater of Detroit's version of Porgy and Bess. His tax problems caught up with him on August 21, 2003, when the U.S. Internal Revenue Service seized property from his home in Atlanta, Georgia. He is reported to have owed $1.2 million in taxes dating back to 1984. The IRS auctioned many of his possessions, including both Grammy Awards, electronic equipment, his grand piano, and multiple pairs of shoes.[12] However, his Grammy for "A Whole New World (Aladdin's Theme)" was purchased by a close friend of the family who vowed to return it to Bryson.[12]

Bryson in 2018

In 2000 he participated in the International competition in the 41th International Festival of the Song of Viña del Mar where he won the international competition representing France, earning the Gaviota (Givet) of Gold in that contest. In 2001 he was invited to the Festival as a judge.

In 2002, Bryson's "Beauty and the Beast" music video was included on the platinum and Blu-ray edition of Beauty and the Beast. His "A Whole New World" music video was included on the platinum edition DVD release of Aladdin. Bryson's CD Missing You was released on October 2, 2007, on Peak Records, a division of Concord Music Group.

On September 4, 2016, it was declared "Peabo Bryson Day" in Charleston, South Carolina and North Charleston, South Carolina, during the LowCountryJazzFest.

In 2018, Bryson released his new album Stand for Love, which was produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. The project was released on Jam & Lewis' newly reactivated label, Perspective Records.[13]

Personal life

Bryson was married in 2010 to Tanya Boniface, a singer and member of English R&B group The 411. On December 31, 2017, they had a son,[14] who would occasionally join his father on stage.[15] He also has a daughter from a previous relationship,[16] along with three grandchildren.[17]

Prior to his marriage, Bryson was engaged several times:[18] first to Juanita Leonard, the former wife of boxer Sugar Ray Leonard,[16] then to Angela Thigpen, a former Miss Virginia Teen USA and later a model and actress.[19]

Health and death

On April 29, 2019, it was reported that Bryson had suffered a heart attack, and had been taken to an Atlanta hospital, where he was said to be in a stable condition. He made a full recovery.[20][21]

On May 31, 2026, CBS News reported that Bryson had suffered a stroke.[22] He died two days later, on June 2, at a hospital in Marietta, Georgia, at the age of 75.[23][24][25]

Discography

Main article: Peabo Bryson discography
Studio albums
  • Peabo (1976)
  • Reaching for the Sky (1977)
  • Crosswinds (1978)
  • Paradise (1980)
  • Turn the Hands of Time (1981)
  • I Am Love (1981)
  • Don't Play with Fire (1982)
  • Straight from the Heart (1984)
  • Take No Prisoners (1985)
  • Quiet Storm (1986)
  • Positive (1988)
  • All My Love (1989)
  • Can You Stop the Rain (1991)
  • Through the Fire (1994)
  • Peace on Earth (1997)
  • Unconditional Love (1999)
  • Missing You (2007)
  • Stand for Love (2018)
  • Grace (2026)
Collaboration albums
  • We're the Best of Friends with (Natalie Cole) (1979)
  • Live & More with (Roberta Flack) (1980)
  • Born to Love with (Roberta Flack) (1983)

Tours

Awards and nominations

Daytime Emmy Awards

Year Category Work Result
1993 Best Original Song "I Found Love" (with Earl Rose) Nominated[26]

Grammy Awards

Year Category Work Result
1992 Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male "Can You Stop the Rain" Nominated[27]
1993 "Lost in the Night" Nominated
Record of the Year "Beauty and the Beast" (with Celine Dion) Nominated
Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals Won
1994 "A Whole New World" (with Regina Belle) Won
Record of the Year Nominated
2000 Best Traditional R&B Performance Unconditional Love Nominated
Best Male R&B Vocal Performance "Did You Ever Know" Nominated

NAACP Image Awards

Year Category Work Result
1989 Outstanding Male Artist Himself Nominated
1992 Nominated

References

  1. ^ Peabo Bryson - Biography. AllMusic. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
  2. ^ Moniuszko, Sara M. "Singer Peabo Bryson, known for Disney hits, stable after heart attack". Usatoday.com.
  3. ^ Grein, Paul (April 21, 2021). "These 16 Songs Have Won Film Music's 'Triple Crown' — Golden Globe, Oscar & Grammy". Billboard.
  4. ^ "Peabo Bryson: Artist". Grammy.com. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
  5. ^ Kellman, Andy. "Peabo Bryson Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  6. ^ a b dnathan (April 14, 2022). "Soulful Salutations! Peabo Bryson - Classic Soul 1978 Interview". Soulmusic.com. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  7. ^ a b c d Colin Larkin, ed. (1997). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music (Concise ed.). Virgin Books. p. 196. ISBN 1-85227-745-9.
  8. ^ "Location shooting and lavish sets". Newspapers.com. July 30, 1984. p. 40. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
  9. ^ "Ask Us". Soap Opera Digest. 34 (22): 105–106. June 2, 2009.
  10. ^ "Album Reviews" (PDF). Billboard Magazine.
  11. ^ Bofill Returns, Follows Own"Intuition" (PDF). February 18, 1989. p. 26.
  12. ^ a b Plunkett, John (January 12, 2004). "Peabo Bryson's Grammys, other possessions, auctioned to pay $1.2 million tax debt". Jet Magazine. Archived from the original on November 27, 2004. Retrieved March 7, 2007.
  13. ^ Mitchell, Gail (May 11, 2018). "Peabo Bryson Gets Ready to 'Stand for Love' on New Album Coming Aug. 3". Billboard.com. Retrieved June 17, 2018.
  14. ^ EURweb (2018). "Singer Peabo Bryson Announces Birth Of His Son," Black America Web, 10 January 2018. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
  15. ^ 'The Legendary' Peabo Bryson ft. (Son) 'Kit' Bryson - "All She Want's To Do Is Me" Finale (LIVE) @YouTube. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
  16. ^ a b "Peabo Bryson Reveals He Will Marry Juanita Leonard", Jet Magazine (July 8, 1991), Vol. 80 (12), p. 14
  17. ^ Halliburton, Karen (October 1, 2018). "Peabo Bryson's fire still roars". 50bold.com. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
  18. ^ Bryson, Peabo, Encyclopedia.com, Retrieved November 9, 2018.
  19. ^ Harper, Jane. "Whatever Happened To..." The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA) September 28, 1998. Link to article Retrieved July 24, 2010.
  20. ^ "Peabo Bryson: 'I'm Getting Stronger By The Day'". Soultracks.com. May 8, 2019. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
  21. ^ "Peabo Bryson on heart attack: I was on the other side long enough to make friends". 11alive.com. July 18, 2019. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
  22. ^ Bynum, Zachary (May 31, 2026). "Peabo Bryson under medical care after suffering stroke, representative says". CBS News. Retrieved June 2, 2026.
  23. ^ Thomas, Carly (June 2, 2026). "Peabo Bryson, Grammy-Winning R&B Singer, Dies at 75". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 2, 2026.
  24. ^ Aswad, Jem (June 2, 2026). "Peabo Bryson, Veteran R&B Singer of 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'Whole New World,' Dies at 75". Variety. Retrieved June 2, 2026.
  25. ^ Sherman, Maria (June 3, 2026). "Peabo Bryson, known for duets from Disney's 'Aladdin' and 'Beauty and the Beast,' has died at 75". Associated Press. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
  26. ^ Brian Lowry (March 31, 1993). "CBS tops Daytime Emmy noms". Variety.com. Retrieved May 21, 2025.
  27. ^ "Peabo Bryson Grammy Awards". Grammy.com. Retrieved May 21, 2025.