Peabo Bryson, the R&B singer known for his work on Disney ballads and romantic duets, has died at age 75. Celine Dion, who performed "Beauty and the Beast" with Bryson for the 1991 animated film, said she was heartbroken by his death.
Bryson won two Grammy Awards during his career and became widely recognized as the voice behind several Disney songs. He recorded "A Whole New World" from Aladdin and "Beauty and the Beast" from the film of the same name. His tenor voice and romantic ballad style earned him recognition across R&B and pop music.
The singer's career spanned decades, with his work on Disney soundtracks introducing his music to multiple generations of listeners. Both "A Whole New World" and "Beauty and the Beast" became enduring popular songs that extended beyond their original film contexts. His Grammy wins recognized his vocal performances and contributions to music.
Bryson's death was confirmed on Wednesday. Dion publicly expressed her grief over the loss of her former duet partner. The two singers collaborated on one of Disney's most recognized songs from the renaissance era of the studio's animated films.
His work in R&B and as a duet partner made him a distinctive voice in American popular music. The combination of his romantic vocal style and his association with major film soundtracks gave him a broad audience that crossed typical genre boundaries.