Celine Dion ‘heartbroken’ by death of R&B singer Peabo Bryson
Celine Dion has said she is “heartbroken” by the death of R&B singer Peabo Bryson, with whom she sang the hit title song from the 1991 Disney film Beauty and the Beast. The Canadian vocalist took to Twitter to share her tribute: “His incredible voice and his kind spirit embodied the beauty of song and performance.”
The pair won a Grammy Award for their duet, and Bryson repeated that achievement the following year for his performance of A Whole New World from Aladdin with Regina Belle.
Bryson died at the age of 75 on Tuesday, surrounded by family and loved ones. A cause of death has not been released publicly; however, the singer had suffered a stroke over the weekend and been under medical care.
The veteran R&B singer was the voice behind hits spanning from the 1970s to the 2010s, including "Feel the Fire", "I'm So Into You", "Can You Stop the Rain", "If Ever You're In My Arms Again" and "Reaching for the Sky".
Bryson helped launch Dion to stardom, with Beauty and the Beast earning the Canadian singer her first US and UK top‑10 hit.
“He was so wonderful and generous to me all those years ago, when we recorded Beauty and the Beast,” Dion said in her tribute.
“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.”
Bryson also collaborated with Roberta Flack on recordings such as the 1983 hit single "Tonight, I Celebrate My Love.”
In a statement, his family said: "For more than five decades, Peabo's extraordinary voice served as the soundtrack to some of life's most cherished moments." They added that his music carried generations through joyful celebrations, great love stories and enduring moments of comfort and inspiration.
"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," the family shared. "His legacy and music will live on for generations to come."
Bryson recently performed in a concert with Jeffrey Osborne in the US state of Georgia in May. He was set to perform several shows for his Golden Touch tour later this year, celebrating his five decades in the music industry.
Back in April, Bryson celebrated his 75th birthday and shared photos of his celebration with family and friends on social media.
