Guest Mark Holmes Posted January 14, 2010 Posted January 14, 2010 PHILADELPHIA - Teddy Pendergrass, who became R&B's reigning sex symbol in the 1970s and '80s with his forceful, masculine voice and passionate love ballads and later became an inspirational figure after suffering a devastating car accident that left him paralyzed, died Wednesday at age 59. The singer's son, Teddy Pendergrass II, said his father died at a hospital in suburban Philadelphia. The singer underwent colon cancer surgery eight months ago and had "a difficult recovery," his son said. "To all his fans who loved his music, thank you," his son said. "He will live on through his music." Pendergrass suffered a spinal cord injury and was paralyzed from the waist down in the 1982 car accident. He spent six months in a hospital but returned to recording the next year with the album "Love Language." He returned to the stage at the Live Aid concert in 1985, performing from his wheelchair. Pendergrass later founded the Teddy Pendergrass Alliance, an organization whose mission is to encourage and help people with spinal cord injuries achieve their maximum potential in education, employment, housing, productivity and independence, according to its Web site. Pendergrass, who was born in Philadelphia on March 26, 1950, gained popularity first as a member of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. In 1971, the group signed a record deal with the legendary writer/producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. The group released it first single, "I Miss You," in 1972 and then released "If You Don't Know Me by Now," which was nominated for a Grammy Award. Pendergrass quit the group in 1975 and embarked on a solo career in 1976. It was his solo hits that brought him his greatest fame. With songs such as "Love T.K.O.," "Close the Door" and "I Don't Love You Anymore," he came to define a new era of black male singers with his powerful, aggressive vocals that spoke to virility, not vulnerability. His lyrics were never coarse, as those of later male R&B stars would be, but they had a sensual nature that bordered on erotic without being explicit. "Turn Off the Lights" was a tune that perhaps best represented the many moods of Pendergrass " tender and coaxing yet strong as the song reached its climax. Pendergrass, the first black male singer to record five consecutive multi-platinum albums, made women swoon with each note, and his concerts were a testament to that adulation, with infamous stories of women throwing their underwear on stage for his affection. Following the car accident, it was 19 years before Pendergrass resumed performing concerts. He made his return on Memorial Day weekend in 2001, with two sold-out shows in Atlantic City, N.J. Pendergrass is survived by his son, two daughters, his wife, his mother and nine grandchildren.
Guest t5vespa Posted January 14, 2010 Posted January 14, 2010 PHILADELPHIA - Teddy Pendergrass, who became R&B's reigning sex symbol in the 1970s and '80s with his forceful, masculine voice and passionate love ballads and later became an inspirational figure after suffering a devastating car accident that left him paralyzed, died Wednesday at age 59. The singer's son, Teddy Pendergrass II, said his father died at a hospital in suburban Philadelphia. The singer underwent colon cancer surgery eight months ago and had "a difficult recovery," his son said. "To all his fans who loved his music, thank you," his son said. "He will live on through his music." Pendergrass suffered a spinal cord injury and was paralyzed from the waist down in the 1982 car accident. He spent six months in a hospital but returned to recording the next year with the album "Love Language." He returned to the stage at the Live Aid concert in 1985, performing from his wheelchair. Pendergrass later founded the Teddy Pendergrass Alliance, an organization whose mission is to encourage and help people with spinal cord injuries achieve their maximum potential in education, employment, housing, productivity and independence, according to its Web site. Pendergrass, who was born in Philadelphia on March 26, 1950, gained popularity first as a member of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. In 1971, the group signed a record deal with the legendary writer/producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. The group released it first single, "I Miss You," in 1972 and then released "If You Don't Know Me by Now," which was nominated for a Grammy Award. Pendergrass quit the group in 1975 and embarked on a solo career in 1976. It was his solo hits that brought him his greatest fame. With songs such as "Love T.K.O.," "Close the Door" and "I Don't Love You Anymore," he came to define a new era of black male singers with his powerful, aggressive vocals that spoke to virility, not vulnerability. His lyrics were never coarse, as those of later male R&B stars would be, but they had a sensual nature that bordered on erotic without being explicit. "Turn Off the Lights" was a tune that perhaps best represented the many moods of Pendergrass " tender and coaxing yet strong as the song reached its climax. Pendergrass, the first black male singer to record five consecutive multi-platinum albums, made women swoon with each note, and his concerts were a testament to that adulation, with infamous stories of women throwing their underwear on stage for his affection. Following the car accident, it was 19 years before Pendergrass resumed performing concerts. He made his return on Memorial Day weekend in 2001, with two sold-out shows in Atlantic City, N.J. Pendergrass is survived by his son, two daughters, his wife, his mother and nine grandchildren.
Guest nubes Posted January 14, 2010 Posted January 14, 2010 R I P Teddy Pendergrass....sad day.......Delxxx
Guest karen b Posted January 14, 2010 Posted January 14, 2010 So many tears this week, both for Sandra Wright and now Teddy P. Tears of sadness tinged with tears of joy for the memories left behind. I'm so so sad. Karenxxx
Ian Parker Posted January 14, 2010 Posted January 14, 2010 very sad news. some amazing work, both with the blue notes and solo. RIP our friend Ian
Baz Atkinson Posted January 14, 2010 Posted January 14, 2010 massive part of my life -let the music speak for his genius!!!PS Check out truely blesed his bio also!!! TEDDY PENDERGRASS - 7 WONDERS - BAZ A
Guest Posted January 14, 2010 Posted January 14, 2010 RIP Teddy - you so soulfully effected my life and I thank you for it Jonathan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NREfdoBlvi0
boba Posted January 14, 2010 Posted January 14, 2010 one of the greatest live performances ever recorded (from Soul!): https://www.youtube.c...h?v=aOZuyAkj7Bc
Baz Atkinson Posted January 14, 2010 Posted January 14, 2010 TEDDY PENDERGRASS - TURN OUT THE LIGHTS - TEDDY LIVE LP - BAZ A
Baz Atkinson Posted January 14, 2010 Posted January 14, 2010 TEDDY PENDERGRASS YOUR MY LATEST MY GREATEST INSPIRATION UNRESTRICTED ACCESS - BAZ A.
Chris L Posted January 14, 2010 Posted January 14, 2010 PHILADELPHIA - Teddy Pendergrass, who became R&B's reigning sex symbol in the 1970s and '80s with his forceful, masculine voice and passionate love ballads and later became an inspirational figure after suffering a devastating car accident that left him paralyzed, died Wednesday at age 59. Such sad news, as a young kid growing up in the 70s that Philadelphia sound was so much a part of our lives. The message is enjoy life to the full, plan for tomorrow but don't worry too much about it. Chris L
Baz Atkinson Posted January 14, 2010 Posted January 14, 2010 TEDDY PENDERGRASS - CLOSE THE DOOR LIVE VERSION - PHILADELPHIA INTERNATIONAL - For thiose who dont know he worshipped and idolised hs mother-she brought him up alone !!!! BAZ A
Wayoutgirl Posted January 14, 2010 Posted January 14, 2010 Teddy Pendergrass - A truly talented man with a unique voice. Will be missed but never forgotten; R.I.P
Baz Atkinson Posted January 14, 2010 Posted January 14, 2010 HE WAS A TALENTED CHURCH SINGER-YET ANOTHER SOUL SINGER WHO STARTED AT AN EARLY AGE SINGING IN THE CHURCH -ALL OF HIS EXTENTED FAMILY WERE SOUTHERN AND HE SPEND HAPPY SUMMERS VISITING THEM IN SOUTH CAROLINA. TEDDY PENDERGRASS LIFE IS A SONG WORTH SINGING PIR - BAZ A
Guest nubes Posted January 14, 2010 Posted January 14, 2010 TEDDY PENDERGRASS - TURN OUT THE LIGHTS - TEDDY LIVE LP - BAZ A Tell ya ,...many a good night have been had with this track on...in the background!!!!!:whistling:Delxxxx
Guest garv Posted January 14, 2010 Posted January 14, 2010 Like so many others on here, Teddy has been there right from the start of my love affair with soul music & one of my favorite artists. For my money one of the true greats in black American music. RIP Teddy
jocko Posted January 14, 2010 Posted January 14, 2010 An absolute legend, one of the first big concerts I ever seen that turned me onto just soul, massive voice, massive personality, colossus of a man both in stature and talent. And so sexy, even from a straight mans view! Just so sad, will play all his albums over the next few days and remember him pre accident. Sad sad day.
Daved Posted January 14, 2010 Posted January 14, 2010 How very sad. He's been very fragile for a long time now and you could hear that in "My People" which came out in 2007. He's definitely one of the all time greats and in my top 10 male vocalists of all time. All his Philly stuff was superb and he also had some fantastic moments later, notably the Joy LP in 1988. From dancers like "You Can't Hide From Yourself" to wonderful tearjerking ballads like "The Whole Town's Laughing At Me", he really was a legend. RIP Teddy.
Guest bazabod_downunder Posted January 14, 2010 Posted January 14, 2010 Couldn't agree more, this has left me quite numb. RIP Teddy....you are a legend. KTF Baz An absolute legend, one of the first big concerts I ever seen that turned me onto just soul, massive voice, massive personality, colossus of a man both in stature and talent. And so sexy, even from a straight mans view! Just so sad, will play all his albums over the next few days and remember him pre accident. Sad sad day.
Guest Posted January 14, 2010 Posted January 14, 2010 Like many on here - Teddy Pendergraass was one of the very, very first 'big' black voices to stick in my mind - his vocal part in 'Let's Clean Up The Ghetto' blew the others outta the water...and one of the first slowies I also loved, loved, loved was 'The Whole Town's Laughing At Me' - stunning tune...my cousin, Caroline, had that on constant rotation when it first came out. A truly gifted singer and I now need to rifle thru a few Philly LPs here and dig out a few tunes on him... Gad Bless and all that.............. (remember Lenny Henry's 'Love God' tribute - forget the name - hairy chests and comedy beard - that was based mostly on Teddy Penderfrass!! Was it Theophoilis T Wildebeest or summat...? Funny stuff.... )
binsy Posted January 14, 2010 Posted January 14, 2010 one of the greatest live performances ever recorded (from Soul!): https://www.youtube.c...h?v=aOZuyAkj7Bc Totally agree mate, the very essence of soul music, as already mentioned a terrible week for music with Willie Mitchell, Sandra Wright and Earl Gaines recently departed. Thankfully we have their wonderful legacy to remind us of all the joy they've brought us
Geoff Posted January 14, 2010 Posted January 14, 2010 So sorry to read that he has died. He was a great singer, personal favourites are Come Go With Me and You Must Live On. RIP Teddy.
Daved Posted January 14, 2010 Posted January 14, 2010 For an excellent mix of Teddy's songs and dialogue from the great man, click on this mix was was done about two years ago: https://www.sixmillionsteps.com/drupal/node/692
Rob Wigley Posted January 14, 2010 Posted January 14, 2010 Just seen this on the BBC breakfast news A love TKO-what a great song ! Teddy was on my "Hit list" to see-sadly never to become true. He triumphed over his disability still recording and performing. He has left a huge body of quality music behind for us all to enjoy-thank you Teddy RIP Rob & Karen
Epic Posted January 14, 2010 Posted January 14, 2010 RIP Teddy. Respect for a job well done sir. You have left us with a wonderful legacy. "Be Sure" off his self titled 1977 album is a masterpiece.
Mike Posted January 14, 2010 Posted January 14, 2010 "To all his fans who loved his music, thank you," his son said. "He will live on through his music."
Steve Plumb Posted January 14, 2010 Posted January 14, 2010 RIP to yet another Soul Legend.......................and a TRUE legend at that! Glad I saw him perform live in his pomp - what a voice! RIP Teddy Steve
Ernie Andrews Posted January 14, 2010 Posted January 14, 2010 Very sad at the age of 59 "Turn off the lights" was such a sexy record - every girl I knew at the time wanted it
Ernie Andrews Posted January 14, 2010 Posted January 14, 2010 Very sad at the age of 59 "Turn off the lights" was such a sexy record - every girl I knew at the time wanted it
gazman Posted January 14, 2010 Posted January 14, 2010 Sad, sad news, a truly MAGIC voice. R.I.P gary
Guest yorks old boys Posted January 14, 2010 Posted January 14, 2010 his music will live on brilliant star rip
Tony A Posted January 14, 2010 Posted January 14, 2010 RIP Teddy, a true performer, time to start playing you can't hide from yourself, a beauty !
Daryl Posted January 14, 2010 Posted January 14, 2010 (edited) RIP Teddy Edited January 14, 2010 by Daryl
binsy Posted January 14, 2010 Posted January 14, 2010 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUrkrjlOY-o&feature=related I would loved to have heard this at Obama's inauguration https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JljLSefvsI One of his finest moments
Guest brivinyl Posted January 14, 2010 Posted January 14, 2010 Such sad news when I heard this morning. R.I.P.
Guest Ivor Jones Posted January 14, 2010 Posted January 14, 2010 Lordy........What A SINGER !........... Very,Very Sad News Indeed.
Guest isis Posted January 14, 2010 Posted January 14, 2010 RIP Teddy Pendergrass...and thanks for the music, a huge part of my "soul" education in the 70's. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjuALBoGIZw
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