Legendary R&B singer Teddy Pendergrass died Wednesday at the age of 59 in a Philadelphia-area hospital, his son told the AP. Pendergrass—who was paralyzed from the waist down in a 1982 car accident—had a “difficult recovery” from colon cancer surgery eight months ago, according to Teddy Pendergrass II. ”To all his fans who loved his music, thank you,” said his son. ”He will live on through his music.” The Philadelphia native rose to fame in the early 1970s as the lead singer of Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, offering up such hits as “I Miss You” and “If You Don’t Know Me By Now,” and earned even greater success as a solo artist in the late 1970s and beyond. He was the first black male singer to release five consecutive multi-platinum albums; his hits include ”Close the Door,” “Love T.K.O.,” ”I Don’t Love You Anymore,” and “Turn off the Light.” After spending six months in the hospital following his car accident, Pendergrass went on to record many more albums, starting with 1984’s Love Language, which contained “Hold Me,” a duet with Whitney Houston. The following year, Pendergrass made his return to the stage, performing in a wheelchair at Live Aid. In 1998, he founded the Teddy Pendergrass Alliance, an organization that helps people with spinal cord injuries.
More on Teddy Pendergrass’ career and legacy:
Teddy Pendergrass: Ken Tucker remembers
aww, man…one beautiful man!! and what a VOICE! Teddy, you have created a hole that cannot be re-filled. I will miss you!
Rest in peace, Teddy. He was part of the soundtrack of my youth. I have many fond memories associated with Teddy’s music.
I know someone who worked in the hospital where he was taken after his car accident in the 80′s. He was receiving “a driving pleasure” at the time of the accident. It was a tragic accident. He had a great voice.
That piece of info was not necessary! Just that last sentence. Thanks.
One of the best voices in all of music let alone r&b. Only 59. What a shame. I know what i’m gonna be playin on my ipod today
i think i was concieved because of teddy.
I think a lot of us 70s children. I remember telling my mom when I was a pre-teen that I hated hearing Teddy and Barry White and Luther. She said I’ll understand one day, and she was right. Now none of them are alive and no one makes music like they did. RIP Teddy!
No one did it better!
Teddy could rever be replace’HE will be miss.
A truly significant loss in classic R&B music. RIP Teddy.
A brother who gave me the soul inspiration in high school – “turn off the lights and light a candle”
rip teddy p …
I grew up listening to his music (my mom was so in love with him). One of the greatest voices of (true) R&B. I just heard “Love TKO” yesterday and swooned. He was one gorgeous sexy hunk of man.
A small blurb about an R&B legend, now I bet if it was one of the here today gone tomorrow stars of the idiotic vampire movies or shows that seem to DOMINATE this site it would be a huge thing on here. I swear if you are above 25, don’t care about vampires or glee this site doesn’t give a damn about you.
It is a “huge thing” that we have lost a great singer like Teddy, and so what if some people enjoy “paranormal romances.” The important thing is to keep Teddy’s spirit alive and don’t you know that he will be with us forever through his music. Peace.
RIP Teddy! Your music made a lot of babies back in the day! Thanks for your fantastic contribution to R&B!
Man, Teddy was the prototype. As one comedian joked, if you did not know how to seduce a woman, listen to Teddy. He gives you instructions.
You are so right. Teddy was the kind of man a woman could listen to and daydream about…..but nobody I ever dated came close to his unique sexiness. I’ve been in love with Teddy since I was in college and I’m not stopping now. Peace out, Teddy.
I’M in my forties I grew up on Teddy’s music. what a great musician you will truly be missed.
I grew up in the sixties, 20 miles south of Chicago in the Hammond & Gary,Indiana area and went to Catholic high school in East Chicago. My love of music started with “soul music” and R&B and my sister and I would put together dance routines inspired by watching “Soul Train.” Teddy has always been one of my favorite singers because, just like Marvin, James Ingram, Donny Hathaway and Gil Scott-Heron, he truly moves my soul and my heart like no other. I love you, Teddy!