June 2, 2026: According to our good friend at Soultracks.com, editor Chris Rizik: “He possessed the purest of voices. A rich baritone that showed a unique versatility but found its sweetest spots on soulful love songs. Tonight we are devasted to report that the legendary balladeer Peabo Bryson has passed away just days after suffering a stroke.”
Forever 5th Dimension notes that Mr. Bryson was a friend and colleague of Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr. and Florence LaRue. Marilyn & Billy performed with Peabo most recently (along with Ruben Studdard and Jody Watley) on the Colors of Christmas Tour 2017, pictured above. Florence and The 5th Dimension performed with Peabo at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts in November 2022, as part of the Home for the Holidays Concert, also featuring Oleta Adams and Taylor Dane (see below).
Soultracks continues, spotlighting his mega-hits in their tribute: “Peabo blew the roof off of 1983 on a duet album with Roberta Flack, the adult contemporary Tonight I Celebrate My Love, yielding four hits. This AC success continued with his next album, Straight From the Heart, a crossover smash that included the number one pop song of the year, Michael Masser’s ‘If Ever You’re In My Arms Again.’ In 1991 he released the single ‘Can You Stop the Rain,’ one of the most compelling songs of his career. He then hit the top of the pop charts twice on themes from two consecutive Disney animated classics, ‘Beauty and the Beast’ with Celine Dion and ‘A Whole New World’ (from Aladdin), with Regina Belle.”
2026 had been a year of celebration for Bryson, with his “Golden Touch” tour, commemorating 50 years in music. With his crystalline passionate sound, Mr. Bryson was known by Ms. Mcoo & Mr. Davis, and Ms. LaRue not only for his dexterously versatile, immense talent but for his easy-going, down-to-earth demeanor. Forever 5th Dimension extends sincere condolences to his millions of worldwide fans, musical colleagues and his loving family. –Robert-Allan Arno
Here’s a touching “Solid Gold” reflection, as Marilyn performs “Tonight I Celebrate My Love” with Peabo. Marilyn & Billy share more thoughts both in their social media and with Forever 5th Dimension, in combined statements, as follows: “His voice was amazing, his musicianship was the best! Peabo had a long, successful career and was friends with us for many of those years beginning in the 1980’s when he rose to fame. We’ve toured together multiple times and enjoyed shared memories of our lives in the music industry. We’re praying for his wife and family. “
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Forever 5th Dimension, a production of The Soul of The Voice, Ltd., copyright 2008-26, intellectual property, all rights reserved. Photography and archival materials from The Arno 5th Legacy Collection.
© Robert-Allan Arno / FOREVER 5th DIMENSION
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