US singer Peabo Bryson, best known for Disney duets “Beauty and the Beast” and “A Whole New World”, passed away earlier this week, aged 75.
Born Robert Peapo Bryson in 1951, the contemporary R&B singer was also known for his earlier hits like “Tonight, I Celebrate My Love”, a 1983 duet with Roberta Flack, who passed away last year, as well as “If Ever You’re in My Arms Again” (1984).
While the 1991 song “Beauty and the Beast”, written by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, was first recorded by British-American actress Angela Lansbury in her role as the voice of “Mrs. Potts”, Bryson and Canadian singer Celine Dion were the first to sing it as a pop duet.
The duet was covered by John Legend and Ariana Grande for the 2017 live-action adaptation.
Bryson was a winner of two Grammy Awards, both for his Disney duets, including “A Whole New World” from the 1992 Disney film “Aladdin”, which he recorded with fellow American singer Regina Belle. (Gilbert Humphrey)
Photo: Instagram/Peabo Bryson
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