One of the great vocalists of our time, Peabo Bryson died on Tuesday night, June 2 at the age of 75, following reports over the weekend he had suffered a stroke.

In a statement to Variety, Bryson’s family wrote, in part, “With broken hearts and profound sadness, the family of two-time Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and balladeer, Peabo Bryson, announces his passing, He transitioned peacefully at 5:00 p.m. ET on the evening of Tuesday, June 2, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family and those closest to him.”

They added, “For more than five decades, Peabo’s extraordinary voice served as the soundtrack to some of life’s most cherished moments. His music carried generations through joyful celebrations, great love stories and enduring moments of comfort and inspiration, creating a legacy that will forever live in the hearts of those who loved him and the countless lives he touched through song. This deeply difficult moment, the family asks for privacy as they mourn the loss of a beloved husband, father, family member, friend and artist whose impact extended far beyond the stage.”

Photo:ABC

“We are tremendously moved by the outpouring of love, prayers and support from fans, friends, and colleagues around the world,” the family continued, “While our hearts are broken, we find comfort in knowing how deeply Peabo was loved and how many lives were touched by his voice and his generous spirit. His legacy and music will live on for generations to come.”

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST AND OTHER TOP HITS

Bryson is best-known for his vocal performances and string of hits including his duets with Celine Dion of the title track of Disney’s 1991 Beauty and the Beast, and his solo vocal work in the film version of Aladdin’s 1992 “A Whole New World.” Peabo had a slew of R&B hits throughout his career including: “Tonight I Celebrate My Love,” with the late Roberta Flack, “Feel the Fire,” to his top hit “If Ever You’re in My Arms Again,” to “Can You Stop the Rain,” and many more.

“TONIGHT I CELEBRATE MY LOVE” BECAME BO AND HOPE’S THEME

In fact, “Tonight I Celebrate My Love” became the iconic theme song of the enduring romance between Days of Our Lives super couple, Bo Brady (Peter Reckell) and Hope Williams (Kristian Alfonso) for years. The moment occurred in 1983, when Hope turned 18 at her party she danced the night away with Bo to the memorable song. “Tonight I Celebrate My Love” also went to number #1 on the Billboard charts.

Peter Reckell took to X on Tuesday, June 2upon learning the news of Bryson’s death and expressed, “They say a song can immediately bring you back to emotions and memories. ‘Celebrate my love’ does exactly that! So sorry to hear the loss of Peabo Bryson. Love and support goes out to family and friends!”

The official Days of Our Lives Instagram account also acknowledged Bryon’s passing, sharing, “We are saddened to hear of the passing of Peabo Bryson, whose unforgettable voice helped soundtrack one of Days of our Lives’ most beloved love stories. His duet with Roberta Flack, ‘Tonight, I Celebrate My Love,’ became the theme song for Bo Brady and Hope Williams, and will forever hold a special place in the hearts of Days fans. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and all who loved his music.”

Photo: JPI

ONE LIFE TO LIVE MAIN THEME SONG WITH VOCALS

However, One Life to Live fans remember Bryson’s voice as the singer on the the 1985 new modern theme song, (since many of the soaps of that time were going to more vocals in their opening title sequences), where they took the previous instrumental version of their title sequence and adapted it as the main theme. That theme song ran for seven years on the ABC daytime drama series from 1985-1991. In fact, Bryson appeared on One Life to Live in 1985 to perform the main theme song.

In addition, Peabo returned to ABC daytime when he appeared on All My Children in 1992, Bryson’s song “I Found Love” was used to for the love story of Erica Kane (Susan Lucci) and Dimitri Marick (Michael Nader) and received a Daytime Emmy Award nomination in 1993 for Best Original Song.

That same year, Bryson would make a guest appearance in Pine Valley, where he performing a rendition of “Tonight I Celebrate My Love” with Tonya Perkins (Livia Frye), at Livia’s and Tom Cudahy’s (Richard Shoberg) wedding reception.

Share your condolences and remembrances of Peabo Bryson and take a look and listen to his vocals from the One Life to Live theme song of the mid 80s to early 90s. Was Peabo’s One Life to Live theme song your favorite over the years, or did you have other favorites? Let us know in the comment section below.

More familiar names have been added to the cast of the upcoming audio soap from creator and executive producer, Casey Hutchison. Now comes word that One Life to Live alum, Melissa Archer (ex-Natalia Buchanan) is boarding the drama.

Archer becomes the third soap vet joining the cast of the latest audio form of storytelling, following the previously announced Frank Dicopoulos (ex-GL) and Emmy winner Jeff Branson (ex-AMC, GL and Y&R).

The series premieres on Thursday, June 25 and will stream across all major podcasting platforms with full episodes also dropping weekly on the show’s official You Tube Channel. The season will be comprised of 15 episodes.

Photo: JPI

On Haven Falls, Archer is set to portray Julia Lowe, a strong-willed and hardworking attorney whose presence is sure to make an impact on the residents. She will first be heard at the start of the audio series as will Dicopoulos who as previously reported is taking on the role of ruthless businessman, Victor Hale. Meanwhile, Jef Branson will make his debut as Victor’s son, Lucas Hale in episodes dropping in July.

In a statement on Melissa joining his cast, Casey Hutchison, who also created the audio series, Forever and a Day, shared: “We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Melissa to the ‘Haven Falls’ family. Melissa is a phenomenal actress whose work has resonated with audiences for years. She brings tremendous strength, heart, and authenticity to Julia, and we cannot wait for listeners to experience her performance.”

In addition to her long-running role as Natalie on One Life to Live, Archer has also played Serena Mason on Days of Our Lives Her credits also include: The Bay, Youthful Daze, Beacon Hill and Ladies of the Lake: Return to Avalon.

Be on the lookout for additional casting announcements in the next few weeks leading into the premiere of Haven Falls.

So, glad to hear Melissa Archer is part of the cast of the new audio drama? Do you miss her as One Life to Live’s Natalie? Comment below.

Nathan Fillion, who stars on ABC’s The Rookie, which was officially renewed for its ninth season, and who began his television career on One Life to Live as Joey Buchanan from 1994-1997 was the guest along with actress Geena Davis on Andy Cohen’s Watch What Happens Live on Bravo.

During their conversation, Cohen who is a big fan of soap operas himself, especially All My Children asked Fillion about the incredible pace of acting on a soap. Fillion reflected, “It is extreme acting at a pace that you cannot fathom, and I’m told even since then it’s gotten faster and faster.” The Llanview alum added, “There are very soap operas left. I was in it just as they were starting to decline.”

However, in the buzzworthy moment that has made it to social media, Fillion shared, “I learned one very important thing. We were talking about that slow closeup at the end of a scene,” also referred to as the tag.  So, “I complained about how long that closeup was like, “What am I supposed to do?”

Photo: ABC

THREE FACES OF A SOAP OPERA TAG

Fillion recalled, “A lovely man named Michael Knight (ex-Tad Martin) from All My Children (now Martin Grey on GH), I complained about (it to and) how long that closeup was, like, ‘What am I supposed to do?’ He said, ‘You need to make three faces.” Now Fillion made the faces associated with these thoughts in front of Cohen and Geena Davis, while looking straight to the camera. “They are: ‘Did I leave the stove on?’ ‘I did leave the stove on!’ ‘No, I turned the stove off.’ Works for every scene!”

Photo: ABC

ONE LIFE TO LIVE LEADING LADIES

Later, Cohen asked about the leading ladies he got the opportunity to work with on One Life to Live, and mentioned, then Nathan’s on-screen mother, Erika Slezak (Viki), and then Nathan’s on-screen lover Robin Strasser (Dorian).

Nathan explained, “I was in between Erika Slezak and Robin Strasser – the matriarch of the show, the villain of the show, I was torn between them. It was the perfect position to be in. I had a fantastic time.”

You can catch the moments where Nathan and Andy talk about Fillion’s time as Joey Buchanan on One Life to Live below beginning at the 3:08 mark.

So, what did you think of advice Michael Knight gave to Nathan to help him cue into the looks of a soap opera tag at the end of a scene? Did you love the story which saw Joey torn between the love for his mother, and the passionate affair with an older woman, Viki’s nemesis, Dorian Lord? Let us know via the comment section below.