04/06/2026
REST IN PEACE, MR ROBERT PEABO BRYSON.
13 April 1951 – 02 June 2026
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 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 Canadian singer Celine Dion on "Beauty and the Beast", and R&B singer Regina Belle on "A Whole New World", with the latter peaking at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
Bryson was a winner of two Grammy Awards, both attributed to his Disney duets.
Before marrying his wife, singer and member of English R&B group The 411, Tanya Boniface, Bryson was engaged several times to Juanita Leonard, the ex-wife of boxer Sugar Ray Leonard.In the 1990s, he became engaged to Angela Thigpen, former Miss Virginia Teen USA and later a model and actress.
Bryson and Boniface have a son, who has occasionally joined his father on stage.He also has a daughter from a previous relationship, along with three grandchildren.
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.
On May 31, 2026, CBS News reported that Bryson had suffered a stroke.
He passed away two days later on 02 June 2026, in Marietta, Georgia, at the age of 75.
We send our deepest condolences to his family, friends and fans.
MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE.🕊
