Peabo Bryson, the silky-voiced soul singer celebrated as the 'Voice of Love,' died Tuesday at 75 in Marietta, Georgia, from stroke complications. His family confirmed the death at a local hospital. Bryson dominated R&B charts for nearly two decades through impassioned ballads and memorable duets.

His breakthrough came in 1976 with four top-30 soul hits that positioned him as an heir to Sam Cooke and Nat King Cole. Throughout the 1980s, he became a sought-after duet partner, collaborating with Celine Dion, Roberta Flack, and Regina Belle on songs like 'Tonight, I Celebrate My Love,' which reached No. 4 on Billboard's adult contemporary chart.

The early 1990s brought his biggest commercial success. His platinum version of 'Beauty and the Beast' with Dion won Grammy awards for best pop performance by a duo, while 'A Whole New World' with Belle topped the Hot 100 chart. Both Disney hits earned Golden Globe and Academy Award song victories.

Bryson refused to abandon his soul roots despite pressure to pursue contemporary pop styles. A 2003 IRS dispute over $1.2 million in unpaid taxes led to auctioned property including his Grammy trophies. He is survived by his wife, two children, and three grandchildren.