Peabo Bryson, the two-time Grammy-winning singer behind some of R&B’s most enduring ballads, died on June 2, 2026, at the age of 75.
The news has sparked tributes from across the music world, including longtime collaborators Celine Dion and Regina Belle. For South African fans, his death also marks the end of a long-awaited tour that never materialised.
Bryson died at an Atlanta-area hospital with his family by his side. He suffered a stroke just days earlier, on May 31, and never recovered.
His family confirmed he “transitioned peacefully at 5pm ET on the evening of Tuesday, June 2, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family and those closest to him”.
Peabo Bryson’s South Africa tour never happened
Bryson’s bond with South African fans ran deep.
In 2024, the music legend announced his ‘Tribute to Ladies Tour’ with great excitement, pledging to perform in August at Carnival City and Emperors Palace.
“South Africa im coming for you🌹🇿🇦 catch me this August on my ‘Tribute To Ladies Tour’ I can’t wait to visit and perform for y’all 🩶,” Bryson told local fans in a social media post.
Health complications forced organisers to postpone the concerts several times. They first moved the shows to March 2025 and later to June 2025 while assuring ticket holders that their tickets would remain valid.
Although promoters assured fans that the shows would go ahead, the tour never materialised, leaving many South African supporters without the opportunity to see Bryson perform live.
Mzansi tributes pour in after Peabo Bryson dies
Across South Africa, radio stations filled the airwaves with Bryson’s timeless voice. Good Hope FM’s drive-time show ‘The Great Drive’ hosted a special live musical tribute featuring Cape Town artists honouring his vocal genius.
Power FM dedicated specific segments to his memory on both the ‘Power Breakfast’ and ‘Power Lunch’ shows.
Among the many South African voices paying tribute, radio legend Earnest Pillay stood out with a simple, heartfelt message: “Thank you Peabo, for the timeless music and beautiful memories 🙏🏽 #RIPPeaboBryson”.
Celine Dion pays tribute to Peabo Bryson
Celine Dion, Bryson’s duet partner on the Oscar-winning ‘Beauty and the Beast’, was among the first to break her silence. The song launched Dion to international stardom, earning her first US and UK top 10 hit.
“I’m heartbroken to hear that we lost Peabo Bryson today,” Dion wrote on social media, per the X post she shared on Wednesday below:
“His incredible voice and his kind spirit embodied the beauty of song and performance. He was so wonderful and generous to me all those years ago, when we recorded Beauty and the Beast. He made me so comfortable, as I was just learning to sing in English.”
She added: “He will remain for me always as a real symbol of the joy that music has brought to my life. My heart is with your family, and may you rest in peace, Peabo”.
Regina Belle shares emotional farewell to Peabo Bryson
Regina Belle, Bryson’s duet partner on ‘A Whole New World’ from Disney’s Aladdin – the first song from an animated film to hit No 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 – shared an emotional public statement.
She revealed she sat with Bryson in his final days, holding his hand and singing their songs to him in a whisper.
“The hardest part of this moment is knowing that I will never be able to sing again with the person who helped me create such magic,” Belle said. “Peabo was far more than a legendary artist; he was my friend, my trusted collaborator, and someone whose talent, kindness, and generosity left an indelible mark on my life.”
She continued: “I considered Peabo my official duet partner. His virtuosity as a world-class vocalist was second to none. Winning Grammy Awards and an Academy Award together remains one of the greatest honors of my career.”
As she held his hand, Belle sang ‘A Whole New World’ and ‘Total Praise’ in a whisper. “Peabo was like a brother to me,” she said. “We shared a special musical and spiritual bond”.
Freddie Jackson remembers Peabo Bryson as ‘one of the most phenomenal voices of all time’
Fellow R&B legend Freddie Jackson, who shared stages with Bryson for decades, delivered a deeply personal tribute on Facebook.
“We have lost yet one of the most phenomenal voices of all times — Mr. Peabo Bryson,” Jackson wrote.
“Job well done — you will be missed. You sang straight from the heart, and that heart will echo forever. There ain’t nothing like the real thing… and Peabo was the real thing, ” Jackson added.
Global tributes follow Peabo Bryson’s death
Tributes flooded in from across the entertainment world.
👉🏾 Jody Watley called Bryson “one of the greatest male soul vocalists of a generation”.
👉🏾 Kenny Lattimore thanked him for “the legendary music, the excellence, and your supreme example”.
👉🏾 Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Loni Love and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens also paid respects.
Bryson’s family released a statement: “We are tremendously moved by the outpouring of love, prayers and support from fans, friends, and colleagues around the world:
“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. His legacy and music will live on for generations to come”.
While South African fans never got the live performances they were promised, Bryson’s catalogue remains a fixture on local radio stations, wedding playlists and family gatherings. His music continues to resonate across generations.
Related coverage: Regina Belle’s last performance tour in South Africa took place in December 2023.
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