R&B singer Peabo Bryson, whose velvety tenor powered the Disney film anthems “Beauty and the Beast” and “A Whole New World,” has died at age 75. According to a family statement reported by Rolling Stone, Bryson “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,” after suffering a stroke. His passing follows an initial report by the Los Angeles Times that he had been hospitalized over the weekend for the stroke and was under medical care.
The news rippled across R&B, pop, and film music communities, where Bryson was revered as a master of romantic ballads and a bridge between classic soul and mainstream radio. His 1991 duet with Regina Belle, “A Whole New World (Aladdin’s Theme),” and his 1991 collaboration with Céline Dion on “Beauty and the Beast” became signature Disney love songs, winning Grammys and embedding his voice in the childhood memories of millions.
Tributes From Collaborators and Peers
Céline Dion called Bryson “a real symbol of the joy that music has brought to my life,” saying she was “heartbroken” by his death. Recalling their 1991 recording session, she wrote that he “made me so comfortable, as I was just learning to sing in English,” and that his “incredible voice and his kind spirit embodied the beauty of song and performance.” Billboard reported that Regina Belle, his partner on “A Whole New World,” described him as “more than a legendary artist,” writing that “the hardest part of this moment is knowing that I will never be able to sing again with the person who helped me create such magic.”
Beyond his Disney work, Bryson was a veteran of the Quiet Storm era, known for solo hits such as “I’m So Into You” and “Let the Feeling Flow,” as well as collaborations with artists including Janet Jackson, Dr. Dre, and Lionel Richie. The Times noted that he had recently performed with Jeffrey Osborne in Georgia in early May as part of his celebration of 50 years in music, and had turned 75 in April. The soul collective Maze, led by the late Frankie Beverly, also shared a message of support earlier in the week, praising Bryson’s “extraordinary voice” and “timeless artistry.”
The SoCal Connection
For Southern California audiences, Bryson’s voice has been a staple of radio formats, streaming playlists, and live shows for decades. While no specific Los Angeles or Orange County venue has yet been publicly confirmed as hosting a memorial or tribute event, his music is woven into the fabric of the region’s R&B and quiet-storm programming and remains a fixture at wedding receptions, nostalgia nights, and tribute concerts across the basin.
According to SoCalNomad’s calendar listings, Bryson had two December 16, 2026 performances noted at Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts in Cerritos. Given the timing of his death, the status of those dates was not immediately clear and has not yet been officially confirmed by the venue or the artist’s representatives. Fans who had planned to attend are advised to monitor official venue announcements for updates.
Looking ahead, tributes and retrospectives are likely to emerge across Los Angeles radio and concert halls, and the wider R&B community—including peers such as Jeffrey Osborne and contemporaries of Maze and Lionel Richie—may incorporate homages into their own Southern California dates. As details are shared by the family and the music industry, Bryson’s legacy will be measured not only by the awards he collected but by the generations who grew up hearing his voice at the emotional climax of two of Disney’s most beloved films.
Last updated June 04, 2026.
Sources: Rolling Stone, LA Times Music, Billboard
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