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This story was written by Lisa Respers France, CNN.
(CNN) — Peabo Bryson, whose smooth tone and operatic control produced classic Disney hits as well as R&B standards, has died, according to a statement from his family. He was 75.
The statement said he died Tuesday evening “surrounded by the love of his family and those closest to him.”
Bryson is best known for contributing his talents to the Oscar-winning Disney duets “Beauty and the Beast,” sung alongside Celine Dion, and “A Whole New World,” sung with Regina Belle for the animated film “Aladdin.”
He’s also known for songs like “Feel the Fire” and “Can You Stop the Rain,” among others.
Born Robert Peapo Bryson in Greenville, South Carolina, in 1951, Bryson was in his early teens when he began singing background for older singers. It was some of those singers’ inability to pronounce “Peapo” that led him to the name “Peabo” Bryson.
At the age of 16, he left home to tour with Moses Dillard and the Tex-Town Display. where his soulful sound was featured on their singles “Cry Like a Baby” and “Bring Your Dreams to Me.”
Things changed when Bryson caught the attention of Eddie Biscoe, who was the general manager of Atlanta’s Bullet Records. Impressed with his vocals, Biscoe encouraged the young singer to go solo and signed him to work as an arranger, producer and...
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