Teddy Pendergrass’ Soul Takes Flight, Legendary R&B Singer Dead at age 59
Legendary R&B Soul Singer Theodore DeReese “Teddy” Pendergrass, Sr. died on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at Bryn Mawr Hospital in Philadelphia of colon cancer. He was 59.
Pendergrass first rose to fame as lead singer of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes where he was responsible for such hits like as “If You Don’t Know Me By Now” and “Wake Up Everybody.” Following personality conflicts between Melvin and Pendergrass, in the late 1970s, he launched a solo career and released hit singles like “Love T.K.O.” “Close the Door,” “Turn Off the Lights” and others.
Pendergrass, who was paralyzed from the waist down in a car accident in 1982, underwent surgery for colon cancer eight months ago and had a “difficult recovery,” according to his son, Teddy Jr.
The Philly native announced his retirement from music industry in 2006 and founded the Teddy Pendergrass Alliance to aid in the education, employment and overall life-style enhancement of people with spinal cord injuries. Although his velvety smooth voice will still live on, Teddy P the man will surely be missed.
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