R&B & jazz singer Peabo Bryson passes away at age 75

Cafe Society
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Bryson passed away today from complications of a stroke he suffered this past Sunday, May 31st.

Bryson is probably best remembered today for his many duets, including two huge ones from Disney Renaissance films – “Beauty and the Beast” with Celine Dion from Beauty and the Beast, and “A Whole New World” with Regina Belle from Aladdin. Bryson also teamed with Roberta Flack to release the album of duets Born to Love in 1983, from which the smash “Tonight, I Celebrate My Love” was released – Bryson’s first Top 40 hit on Billboard’s Hot 100.

Less remembered today are his two #1 R&B singles – a cover of Johnny Mathis’ “Show and Tell” (1989) and “Can You Stop the Rain” (1990).

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His voice was distinct and I think that is what helped him out. A good singer, but also one you immediately recognized.

Shame to die so young.

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To me, his most recognized song would be “If Ever You’re In My Arms Again.” Mmm, that’s good ffff…lovin’ music.

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Dayum.

He’s not much older than I am, nor most of us Dopers for that matter. I’m no musician, but I always wanted to be him: unlimited sex appeal.

OTOH if he’s dead today and was going strong 3-4 days ago, that’s probably close to the ideal way to go.

Here’s a good one:

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His name will forever live on among extras in movies who have to pretend to be talking in the background.

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RIP Peabo, I always wondered about your name. Best song title: All She Wants To Do Is Me.

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I wondered as well, and learned this yesterday:

Born as Robert Peapo Bryson in Greenville, South Carolina, on April 13, 1951, he spent much of his childhood on his grandfather’s farm in Mauldin, South Carolina. Bryson’s love for music stemmed from his mother, who often took the family to concerts of well-known black artists at the time.

Bryson marked his professional debut at the age of 14, singing backup for Al Freeman and the Upsetters, a local Greenville group. It was Freeman’s difficulty in pronouncing Bryson’s French West-Indian name, Peapo, that led Bryson to perform as Peabo.

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One of the most recognized among his solo hits for sure. And for kids who grew up faithfully listening to Casey Kasem every Sunday morning, that was Bryson’s first solo appearance in the Top 40.

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It’s that song which I most associate with Bryson: it came out when I was dating my first serious girlfriend, and she loved the song. I wasn’t a big fan of the song, but I still associate it with her, and that time.

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Ah, yes. The much more normal and common name, Peapo.