RIP Teddy Pendergrass

[trane_fanatic]

Such a tragic life...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34854358/ns/entertainment-music/

Teddy Pendergrass dies in Pa. at 59

Singer was paralyzed in 1982, underwent colon cancer surgery last year

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 Bryn Mawr 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 chord injuries achieve their maximum potential in education, employment, housing, productivity and independence, according to its Web site.

Pendergrass gained popularity first as a member of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes on songs including "If You Don't Know Me by Now," but 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 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.

[Dave James]

I kind of lost track of Pendergrass after he left Harold Melvin. I wasn't much of a fan of the slow jam, bedroom-centric style of music he gravitated to later in his career, but the stuff he did with Melvin & The Bluenotes was as good as soul music ever got. Songs like Bad Luck, To Be True, Wake Up Everybody, If You Don't Know Me By Now and others, my Lordy me, just terrific stuff. Yes, definitely. One of the great soul voices ever. His accident was a genuine tragedy as is his passing. R.I.P. my man.

[alocispepraluger102]

my late wife and i WERE great fans of the slow jam.

his voice was, and still is, magical.

the memories that come up tonight...............

[sidewinder]

Sad new - RIP Not particularly a fan but a fine voice for sure, sorry to hear of his tough time since the early 80s. Certainly remember hearing about those female underwear vollies in the earlier times.

[kinuta]

It's very sad, he had a magnificent voice. The Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes sides are terrific.

[John L]

Looks like another love TKO for R&B. Rest easy, Teddy, and thanks for the music.

[dave thorley]

I kind of lost track of Pendergrass after he left Harold Melvin. I wasn't much of a fan of the slow jam, bedroom-centric style of music he gravitated to later in his career, but the stuff he did with Melvin & The Bluenotes was as good as soul music ever got. Songs like Bad Luck, To Be True, Wake Up Everybody, If You Don't Know Me By Now and others, my Lordy me, just terrific stuff. Yes, definitely. One of the great soul voices ever. His accident was a genuine tragedy as is his passing. R.I.P. my man.

He did so many great dance tracks on Philly international after he left the band, also did some nice things on Electra as well. Have a nice very early un-released track by him, recorded in about 68/69 with Charles Mintz on backing vocals. Real uptempo 60's Philly/Arctic type sound

[John L]

also did some nice things on Electra as well.

Damn right! He still had it going even after his accident. This one on Electra, in particular, is a beauty:

[JSngry]

A great talent indeed. Count me as a fan of all of it.

Everybody get up, get down, get funky, get loose.

Sounds like a plan to me!

[Alexander]

Indeed, one of the greatest soul voices ever. I LOVE the Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes material best, but I also love Teddy's solo stuff. "Love TKO" is one of my all time favorite songs...

Favorite Bluenotes song: Tossup between "The Love I Lost" and "Don't Leave Me This Way." Oh, and "Bad Luck." Shit...I can't pick just one!

RIP Teddy Bear...