Gospel and R&B music star, Beau Williams dies at 76

 

(June 19, 2026) The rightful tributes have been pouring in from the soul and Gospel world. He had a voice like few others: a powerful tenor that soared over songs of both genres and made him an early winner on television’s Star Search. Today we mourn the passing of singer supreme Beau Williams at age 76. Williams had been ailing with cancer for some time.

The Houston, Texas born Williams may be one of the greatest voices of the past 50 years, period. Williams was performing at an early age, and his clear, booming Gospel voice began winning local talent contests for him by the time he was a teen. He made some early recordings at “Bobo Mr. Soul” and then began providing backup vocal work throughout the 70s, and nearly became the Temptations’ lead singer after the departure of Louis Price in 1980.

With the help of George Benson, Williams landed a recording contract with Capitol Records in 1981. He recorded four albums for Capitol during 1982-86 which which included a number of notable ballads that showed off his strong, multi-octave Sam Cooke-like voice. “Elvina,” “I Think I Know You,” “The Last Time I Made Love” and the booming “Another Place and Time” earned for Williams critical acclaim and an international following but little success in the U.S. He achieved his greatest notoriety in America when he became the winning male singer on the TV talent show Star Search in 1983.

In 1989 Williams went back to his roots, signing with Light Records and releasing the Gospel album Wonderful. He scored a number one Gospel hit with the title cut, a Sam Cooke remake. His follow up album, Love, also hit the top 5 and included another hit Cooke cover, “That’s Heaven to Me.” Williams recorded three more Gospel albums, the last being 1996’s They Need to Know on Insync Records, before he transitioned to principally ministry and live performances.

 Williams has spent most of the last 40 years performing and touring with his message of faith. And the millions of R&B and Gospel fans he reached over those years will be mourning today, just as they celebrate all the wonderful music that he brought to them. May he rest in peace.