Peabo Bryson, Voice Behind 'A Whole New World,' Dies at 75 After Stroke

Peabo Bryson appears in an undated photo posted to his official Facebook page. Bryson, the two-time Grammy-winning R&B singer known for “Beauty and the Beast,” “A Whole New World (Aladdin’s Theme)” and decades of romantic ballads, died Tuesday at 75, days after suffering a stroke. (Credit: Peabo Bryson/Facebook)

Peabo Bryson, the two-time Grammy-winning R&B balladeer whose voice moved from soul radio to Disney’s early 1990s renaissance without losing its foundation, died Tuesday evening, days after suffering a stroke. He was 75.

His family confirmed his death in a statement, saying it found comfort in knowing “how deeply Peabo was loved and how many lives were touched by his voice and his generous spirit.”

The announcement came after Bryson’s representative said Sunday that the singer had suffered a stroke and was under medical care. At the time, his family asked for privacy as he received treatment.

Bryson’s voice became part of pop memory through two of the most recognizable movie duets of the early 1990s. He won Grammys for “Beauty and the Beast,” performed with Celine Dion, and “A Whole New World (Aladdin’s Theme),” performed with Regina Belle. Both songs won best pop performance by a duo or group with vocal.

Those records made him part of childhood for millions. But R&B audiences knew Bryson long before animated films carried his voice into the pop mainstream.

Born Robert L. Bryson in Greenville, South Carolina, Bryson came through the Southern music circuit before becoming one of contemporary R&B’s premier male vocalists. His official biography says he got his start as lead singer of Al Freeman & The Upsetters and Moses Dillard & The Tex-Town Display before releasing his 1976 debut LP, “Peabo,” on Atlanta’s Bullet/Bang label.

His catalog includes “Feel the Fire,” “I’m So Into You,” “If Ever You’re in My Arms Again,” “Can You Stop the Rain” and “Tonight, I Celebrate My Love,” his duet with Roberta Flack.