The British music community is in mourning today following the death of Peabo Bryson, the Grammy-winning soul singer whose velvet tenor graced the iconic Beauty and the Beast duet with Celine Dion. Dion, speaking from her home in Las Vegas, said she was ‘heartbroken’ by the loss of a man she called ‘a true gentleman and a giant of song’.
Bryson, 71, died peacefully at his home in Atlanta, Georgia, after a short illness. His manager confirmed the news early this morning, prompting an outpouring of tributes from across the Atlantic. In Britain, where Bryson’s music found a devoted audience through soul clubs and late-night radio, his passing marks the end of a chapter for fans who grew up with his smooth blend of R&B and pop.
‘When we recorded Beauty and the Beast, I knew I was in the presence of greatness,’ Dion said in a statement. ‘His voice was a gift, and he shared it with the world. I am devastated.’ The 1991 duet won a Grammy and became the soundtrack to a generation’s fairy-tale dreams. For many in the UK, it remains a staple of school discos and wedding receptions.
Born in Greenville, South Carolina, Bryson rose to fame in the 1970s with hits like ‘Feel the Fire’ and ‘Love Like the First Time’. But it was his later work with Dion that cemented his place in popular culture. British singer Beverley Knight, a longtime admirer, called Bryson ‘a master of the love song’ and noted his influence on UK soul acts.
‘Peabo showed us that a voice could be both powerful and tender,’ Knight said. ‘He connected with people across borders. That’s why we’re all feeling this loss today.’ Radio 2’s Bob Harris played Bryson’s ‘Tonight, I Celebrate My Love’ this morning, telling listeners: ‘This is a voice that will never fade.’
The news comes as the music industry continues to grapple with the loss of legendary voices. Bryson’s death follows a year of profound losses for the soul community. But fans are remembering his kindness as much as his talent. He was a regular at UK charity gigs, often performing for free.
‘He never forgot his roots,’ said London promoter Mark Davies. ‘He’d turn up at small clubs in Brixton, just to sing. It wasn’t about the money. It was about the music.’ Bryson is survived by his wife and three children. A public memorial is planned in Atlanta next week.
For now, the British music community stands still. As Dion put it: ‘The Beast may be gone, but the beauty of his voice will live forever.’
