Another Legend Has Passed Away… R&B Singer Teddy Pendergrass Has Died, Rest in Peace (video)
Posted By Vicki McClure Davidson on January 14, 2010
Legendary singer Teddy Pendergrass has died at age 59... rest in peace
Another legend in the music world has passed away. R&B singer, who riveted adoring crowds in the 1970s with his distinctively gruff yet soulful voice, the amazing, sensual Teddy Pendergrass has died at age 59.
Pendergrass suffered from colon cancer, and despite an operation eight months ago, never fully recovered. It was believed that the cancer was related to his paralysis following his tragic car accident in 1982.
Rest in peace, Teddy. Thank you for the remarkable gift you gave to us. You will be sorely missed.
From Surroundings Me, Teddy Pendergrass Dead at 59:
Teddy Pendergrass‘ soul has taken flight.
The buttery smooth R&B singer died Wednesday at Bryn Mawr Hospital in Philadelphia. He was 59.
Pendergrass, who was paralyzed from the waist down in a car accident in 1982, underwent surgery for colon cancer eight months ago and had a “difficult recovery,” according to his son, Teddy Jr.
A Philly native, Pendergrass came to fame in the early 1970s as lead singer of the Blue Notes, responsible for hits such as “If You Don’t Know Me By Now” and “Wake Up Everybody.”
He released his self-titled debut in 1977 and enjoyed a successful solo career, siring velvety singles like “Close the Door” and “Turn Off the Light.”
One of my favorites from the 1970s:
Soul Train: Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, “If You Don’t Know Me By Now”
Another favorite…
Teddy Pendergrass – “Close the Door” (Live, 1979)
And one more favorite — this emotional video gives me goose bumps…
Ashford & Simpson with Teddy Pendergrass – “Reach Out and Touch” (Live Aid, July 13, 1985)
From Undercover.com, Teddy Pendergrass Dead At Age 59:
Pendergrass was the drummer for The Cadillacs who became Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes and enjoyed a massive hit with The Blue Notes ‘If You Don’t Know Me By Now’, later covered by Simply Red.
In 1977, Teddy Pendergrass released his first solo album, the self-titled ‘Teddy Pendergrass’.
On March 18, 1982, the brakes failed on his Rolls Royce in Germantown, Philadelphia. The car hit a tree. Teddy’s spinal cord was damaged and he spent the rest of his life in a wheelchair.
In 1985, he made a surprise appearance at Live Aid in Philadelphia. In 1998, he released his biography ‘Truly Blessed’ and then in 2006 retired from the music industry.
Teddy Pendergrass died today in Bryn Mawr Hospital where he was being treatment for a rare illness related to his paralysis condition.
From Soul Tracks:
As the lead singer of the vocal group Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes and later as a solo artist, Teddy Pendergrass established himself as one of the most successful R&B male singers of his generation.
Pendergrass, Philadelphia native, began singing in church and by his teen years had developed into both a fine vocalist and an excellent drummer. His work in a local group called the Cadillacs ultimately landed him to popular Philly group leader Harold Melvin, who recruited Pendergrass to join his Blue Notes group. Pendergrass’s expressive, gruff vocals and his sexy stage presence worked beautifully in the group context, and with production and material from the now legendary Gamble & Huff team, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes became one of the biggest vocal groups of the mid-70s.
From The Music’s Over, RIP, Teddy Pendergrass (January 13, 2010) Dead at 59:
Teddy Pendergrass was a multi-platinum selling soul singer who first came to prominence as the lead singer for Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes during the early ’70s. As part of Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff’s storied Philadelphia International label, the Blue Notes scored hits with songs like “The Love I Lost,” “Bad Luck (Part 1),” and “If You Don’t Know Me By Now,” which sold in excess of two million copies. They have been called the most covered Philly soul group in history. During the mid ’70s, Pendergrass left the group to launch a solo career that found him staying relevant during the dawning age of disco while still maintaining his soulful roots. “I Don’t Love You Anymore,” “Close The Door,” and “Do Me” were just a few of his fans’ favorites. Pendergrass was also a very popular concert draw. As a true sex symbol, he occasionally hosted “Ladies Only” shows which generally ended with the audience flinging their panties or stuffed teddy bears to the stage. Tragedy struck in 1982 when the brakes in his car failed causing him to crash into a tree. The accident left him paralyzed from the waist down and with minimal use of his arms and hands. After three intense years of seclusion and physical therapy, Pendergrass emerged as a surprise guest with Ashford & Simpson at 1985’s Live Aid concert in Philadelphia. The song, “Reach Out and Touch (Somebody’s Hand)” was an emotional moment and one of the highlights of the festival.
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[...] Another Legend Has Passed Away… R&B Singer Teddy Pendergrass Has As the lead singer of the vocal group Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes and later as a solo artist, Teddy Pendergrass established himself as one of the most successful R&B male sing… [...]
[...] Another Legend Has Passed Away… R&B Singer Teddy Pendergrass Has As the lead singer of the vocal group Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes and later as a solo… [...]