Teddy Pendergrass

Teddy Pendergrass (born March 26, 1950, Kingstree, South Carolina, U.S.—died January 13, 2010, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania) was an American rhythm-and-blues singer who embodied the smooth, Philly soul sound of the 1970s as the lead vocalist for Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes before embarking on a successful solo career.

Beginning with the Blue Notes

Beginning as a gospel singer in Philadelphia churches, Pendergrass taught himself to play drums and joined the Blue Notes in 1969. In 1971 the group signed with producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff at Philadelphia International Records, and a string of hits followed. The group’s 1972 eponymous debut album for Philadelphia International produced the singles “I Miss You” and Grammy-nominated “If You Don’t Know Me by Now,” and Pendergrass joined the ranks of R&B’s elite male vocalists. While some critics claimed he lacked the vocal range of Al Green or the musical virtuosity of Stevie Wonder, Pendergrass brought an unbridled masculinity to his stage presence.

Solo career and automobile accident

Embarking on a solo career in 1976, Pendergrass capitalized on his baritone lothario image, most notably with his trademark “ladies only” concerts. He scored hits with the singles “Close the Door,” “I Don’t Love You Anymore,” and “Love T.K.O.”

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After an automobile accident in 1982 left him paralyzed from the waist down, his recording future appeared to be in doubt. But after a year of rehabilitation, he released a new album in 1984, Love Language, which ultimately went gold. The track “Hold Me,” a duet with Whitney Houston, was a top 10 adult contemporary hit.

Live Aid performance and later hits

Pendergrass returned to the stage in 1985, performing in his wheelchair at the Live Aid benefit concert in Philadelphia. Although he never matched the success of his earlier work, later singles such as “Joy” (1988) and “It Should’ve Been You” (1991) reached the top of the Billboard R&B charts.

Retirement and charity

Pendergrass retired from recording in 2006, devoting much of his time to the Teddy Pendergrass Alliance, a charity that he founded to assist others who had suffered spinal cord injuries. His widow, Joan Pendergrass, founded the Teddy and Joan Pendergrass Foundation in 2015.