Jump to content

Teddy Pendergrass

Guest Mark Holmes

By Guest Mark Holmes
in All About the SOUL

 Share

Recommended Posts

Guest Mark Holmes

Guest Mark Holmes

Posted
Posted

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.

Link to comment
Social source share
  • Replies 114
  • Views 8.5k
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Most active in this topic

Most active in this topic

Guest t5vespa

Guest t5vespa

Posted
Posted

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.

Link to comment
Social source share
Guest karen b

Guest karen b

Posted
Posted

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

Link to comment
Social source share
Chris L Veteran

Chris L

Posted
Posted

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

Link to comment
Social source share

Guest nubes

Guest nubes

Posted
Posted

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

Link to comment
Social source share
Guest garv

Guest garv

Posted
Posted

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

Link to comment
Social source share
jocko Veteran

jocko

Posted
Posted

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.

Link to comment
Social source share
Daved Veteran

Daved

Posted
Posted

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.

Link to comment
Social source share
Guest bazabod_downunder

Guest bazabod_downunder

Posted
Posted

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.

Link to comment
Social source share
Guest

Guest

Posted
Posted

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..............:lol:sad.gif:(

(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.... )

Link to comment
Social source share
binsy Long Time

binsy

Posted
Posted

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 :sad:

Link to comment
Social source share
Rob Wigley Veteran

Rob Wigley

Posted
Posted

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

Link to comment
Social source share

Get involved with Soul Source

Add your comments now

Join Soul Source

A free & easy soul music affair!

Join Soul Source now!

Log in to Soul Source

Jump right back in!

Log in now!
 Share
Go to topic listing

Source Advert





×
×
  • Create New...