“For those of you who know me, and for those who do not…. Let me tell you about who I am and why I am here.”
– Teddy Pendergrass
Teddy Pendergrass was born Theodore DeReese Pendergrass March 26th, 1950, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Raised in Philadelphia at a young age he began singing gospel and playing drums in church. At age 10, he became an ordained minister, and as a teen Pendergrass played drums for the vocal group The Cadillacs.
His rhythmic skills earned him a spot in The Blue Notes, led by Harold Melvin. In 1970, Pendergrass stepped out from behind the drumkit and became the lead singer. In 1972, the newly revamped Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes signed with Philadelphia International Records (PIR) and scored their first Top 10 R&B hit with “I Miss You,”. The group is best known for 1972’s “If You Don’t Know Me By Now,” which topped the US R&B chart and peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. With Pendergrass as the lead, The Blue Notes also topped the R&B charts with “The Love I Lost” (1973) and “Wake Up Everybody” (1975).
In 1975, Pendergrass left the group and established a solo career releasing his self-titled solo debut, a Top 10 R&B hit that achieved platinum sales. He received his first Grammy nomination (for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male) for his 1978 single “Close The Door.” Pendergrass made history for being the first black singer to have five consecutive platinum albums. Notable singles include “Turn off The Light’s,” and “Love TKO” his streak ran from 1977’s Teddy Pendergrass to 1981’s It’s Time for Love.
A 1982 car accident in Philadelphia left Pendergrass paralyzed from the chest down and confined to a wheelchair. The singer completed physical therapy and, against all odds, returned in 1984 with Love Language, featuring “Hold Me,” a duet with Whitney Houston. To date that album has sold over 2 million copies. In 1985 he performed in “Live Aid” his first live performance since the accident. In 1998 he published his memoirs life in the book “Truly Blessed”
In that same year, Pendergrass released his fourteenth and final album, This Christmas (I’d Rather Have Love).
Teddy Pendergrass died January 13th, 2010, at age 59 surrounded by wife Joan Pendergrass, and friends. Teddy left behind a rich musical legacy, and the groundwork for the Teddy & Joan Pendergrass Foundation which assists organizations working with individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI).
