The life and legacy of Cavin Yarbrough, the Grammy-nominated musician and one-half of the iconic R&B duo Yarbrough & Peoples, will be honored with a public lying in state on Sunday, June 29, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at:
The Hall of State
State Fair of Texas
3939 Grand Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75210
The public is invited to pay their respects to the Dallas native whose music helped define a generation. From the gold-certified chart-topper “Don’t Stop the Music” to a catalog of soulful hits, Cavin’s contributions to R&B and funk continue to resonate across decades.
Cavin passed away the morning of Thursday, June 19, 2025, at the age of 72, due to complications from heart disease, as confirmed by his wife and longtime music partner Alisa Peoples.
“He was the love of my life, my protector. Now he’s my guardian angel,” Alisa said.
Loved by fans worldwide and revered by fellow musicians, Cavin leaves behind a powerful musical legacy and a life filled with purpose, creativity, and heart.
A GoFundMe has been created to support Cavin’s funeral arrangements and to honor his legacy with the dignity he deserves. A portion of the donations will also benefit the Desoto Animal Shelter, in recognition of Cavin’s lifelong love for animals.
Yarbrough & Peoples is the Grammy-nominated R&B duo comprised of Cavin Yarbrough and Alisa Peoples. Discovered by Charlie Wilson of The Gap Band and signed to Total Experience Records by Lonnie Simmons, the Dallas-born artists rose to national prominence with their 1981 smash hit, “Don’t Stop the Music.” The single topped the Billboard R&B chart, achieved gold status, and earned the duo a Grammy nomination in 1982, becoming a defining anthem of the funk and dance era. Throughout the 1980s, Yarbrough & Peoples captivated audiences with a string of charting singles including “Guilty,” “I Wouldn’t Lie,” and “Heartbeats,” known for their smooth vocal harmonies, infectious rhythms, and onstage chemistry. Beyond performance, Cavin—a classically trained pianist—brought a rich musicality to the duo’s sound, helping to shape the landscape of contemporary R&B.
