Peabo Bryson, the veteran R&B singer behind two of Disney's most beloved ballads, has suffered a stroke and is currently receiving medical treatment. A statement from his representative was provided to Variety on Sunday.
The full statement read: "Two-time Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and balladeer, Peabo Bryson — the voice behind the Oscar-winning Disney songs 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'A Whole New World' — has suffered a stroke and is currently under medical care. At this time, the family requests privacy as they navigate this deeply personal moment together. The thoughts, prayers and love of friends and fans are welcomed and deeply appreciated."
Bryson is 75 years old. He is best known for recording Beauty and the Beast as a duet with Celine Dion and A Whole New World as a duet with Regina Belle, both for major Disney animated films. Those songs became among the most recognized ballads of the 1990s.
His career stretches back to the early 1970s, when he performed as a member of Moses Dillard and the Tex-Town Display. He was later signed as a solo artist to Bang Records, an Atlanta independent label, and released his debut album in 1976. He moved to Capitol Records the following year.
A long string of R&B hits followed. In 1977, he released Feel the Fire, and Reaching for the Sky, I'm So into You, and Crosswinds came out the following year. By 1984, he had crossed over to pop with his first Top 10 hit on that chart, If Ever You're in My Arms Again. He continued with Show and Tell and Can You Stop the Rain.
In 1985, Bryson made a television appearance on the soap opera One Life to Live, contributing vocals to the show's theme song. That version was adapted as the program's main theme and aired on every episode for the next seven years.
Duets became a signature part of his catalog. He recorded an album with Roberta Flack titled Born to Love in 1983, and scored additional hits with Angela Bofill on For You and I, along with a series of recordings with Regina Belle. His output across several decades established him as one of the defining voices of smooth R&B.
Variety said it will have more on the situation as it develops. No further details about Bryson's current condition were included in the statement.
