LOVE TKO: THE OFFICIAL TEDDY PENDERGRASS TRIBUTE has announced 2 upcoming shows celebrating Teddy’s 75th birthday in March. Join the band as they take the stage with Teddy classics March 23rd in Boston and March 30th in Philadelphia. You DON’T want to miss this extraordinary tribute to the one-and-only Teddy Pendergrass. Get tickets below.
LOVE TKO: THE OFFICIAL TEDDY PENDERGRASS TRIBUTE has 3 upcoming shows in the Philadelphia and Boston area!
On Valentine’s Day, February 14, the band will join the fun at the Valentine’s Day Ball in Claymont, DE for a romantic night of Teddy classics.
Then, to celebrate Teddy’s 75th birthday, the band will host two birthday celebrations! Don’t miss the fun Sunday, March 23rd at City Winery Boston and again on Sunday, March 30th at City Winery Philadelphia! Get tickets to all shows using the links below:
Valentine’s Ball 2025: Get tickets here.
75th Birthday Celebration, Boston: Get tickets here.
75th Birthday Celebration, Philadelphia: Get tickets here.
The OFFICIAL Teddy Pendergrass Cover Band (@theteddypendergrassband) has two new shows coming up, including one approaching fast in Philadelphia!
Don’t miss this unforgettable tribute to Teddy, get tickets today HERE
The boys discuss the lost Teddy Pendergrass Holiday Album with producer Jim Salamone!
We’re havin’ a Christmas party this week on the Imbalanced History channel! Our guest is producer Jim Salamone, who’s done so much more than run his Cambridge Studios. One of his great adventures involves working with, and later making a holiday album with, the late Teddy Pendergrass.
Jim talks about his own amazing path as a musician, writer, studio innovator, producer, studio owner and more! He tells the boys how he came to meet and collaborate with Pendergrass, leading to the chance to work as producer of most of Teddy’s long, lost holiday album, This Christmas (I’d Rather Have Love)! Long out of print, it has JUST been re-released digitally via music services, like Spotify!
TEDDY PENDERGRASS’ BELOVED 1998 HOLIDAY ALBUM
THIS CHRISTMAS (I’D RATHER HAVE LOVE)
TO MAKE DIGITAL DEBUT ON NOVEMER 3RD
The long-out-of-print title finds the legendary late R&B star putting his own special touch on holiday classics and soulful originals, including “Happy Kwanzaa” and “Christmas and You”
Pendergrass’ contemporary and inspiring version of “Joy to the World,” available now
Click here to visit the online media kit
Click here to pre-save
Los Angeles (September 19, 2023) – Craft Recordings is thrilled to announce the digital debut of This Christmas (I’d Rather Have Love), the sole holiday title (and final studio album) from the incomparable R&B star Teddy Pendergrass. Debuting on November 3rd across digital platforms and available to pre-order/pre-save now, the long-out-of-print album, which turns 25 this year, offers a soulful blend of original songs (“Happy Kwanzaa,” “Christmas and You”) plus an array of festive classics, including “Little Drummer Boy,” “Oh Holy Night” and “The Christmas Song.” This year, Christmas comes ahead of schedule with Pendergrass’ contemporary and inspiring version of “Joy to the World,“ available now.
When he began writing his first-ever Christmas album, Pendergrass was fresh off a starring role in the touring gospel musical Your Arms Too Short to Box with God and was readying to publish his autobiography, Truly Blessed. It was certainly a joyful time for the artist—and that radiates throughout This Christmas (I’d Rather Have Love). Working with frequent collaborators like the GRAMMY®-winning songwriter/producer Reggie Calloway and songwriter/producer Jim Salamone, Pendergrass recorded an array of original material, including “Happy Kwanzaa” and the hip-hop inspired “Having a Christmas Party” (both written by Calloway). Other highlights include the Pendergrass/Calloway original “I Won’t Have Christmas,” while slow jams “Christmas and You” and “This Christmas (I’d Rather Have Love)” blend romance with the holiday spirit. Pendergrass also put his special touch on a slew of traditional holiday songs: from a grooving “Joy to the World” and Afrobeat-tinged “Little Drummer Boy” to soulful renditions of “We Three Kings,” “The Christmas Song,” “Oh Holy Night” and the John Lennon / Yoko Ono classic “Happy Xmas (War Is Over).”
Upon its release in September 1998, This Christmas (I’d Rather Have Love) debuted at No.83 on Billboard’s Top R&B Hip-Hop Albums chart. In 2010, following Pendergrass’ death, it surged in popularity again, peaking at No.43 on the Holiday Albums chart. The album, which marked Pendergrass’ 14th and final LP, was also received warmly by critics, including AllMusic, which proclaimed, “Pendergrass’ smoldering vocals make This Christmas (I’d Rather Have Love) one of the most romantic seasonal records on the market.”
Album producer, Jim Salamone shares “What a thrill to realize that Teddy’s album is being re-released! So many great memories are attached to the creation of this timeless work. It will be very satisfying for people to be able to enjoy this record every Holiday season.” Adds Daniel Markus, Pendergrass’s co-manager “Teddy was very proud of this album. He put it all together himself with some help from the Calloway Brothers (of Midnight Star fame) and Jim [Salamone].”
Multi-platinum-selling singer-songwriter Teddy Pendergrass (1950–2010) was one of the most successful R&B artists of his era, despite enormous obstacles and a life-altering tragedy. Born in South Carolina and raised in Philadelphia by a single mother, Pendergrass was heavily involved in church as a child—not only training his voice in the choir but becoming an ordained minister at just 10 years old. At 20, he became the lead singer of the long-running Philadelphia soul group Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. Within months, they signed to Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff’s legendary Philadelphia International Records, scoring their first major hit, “If You Don’t Know Me by Now,” in 1972. The now-classic song, which topped Billboard’s R&B chart and peaked at No.3 on the Hot 100, was the first in a string of bestselling singles for the group, including “The Love I Lost,” “Bad Luck” and “Don’t Leave Me This Way” (also famously recorded by Thelma Houston in 1977).
As the group’s breakout star, Pendergrass embarked on a solo career, releasing his self-titled debut in 1977. An immediate bestseller (thanks to hits like “I Don’t Love You Anymore” and “The Whole Town’s Laughing at Me”), Teddy Pendergrass marked the first of five consecutive Platinum-selling albums for the singer-songwriter, making him the first Black artist to achieve such a feat. Among them was 1978’s Life Is a Song Worth Singing (featuring the R&B No.1 “Close the Door”) and 1979’s Teddy, which topped the R&B Albums chart, thanks to the sultry “Turn Off the Lights” (one of his signature “bedroom ballads”). By the end of the decade, Pendergrass was one of R&B’s biggest stars and a bona fide sex symbol, who was known for his popular “women-only” concerts. He continued the momentum as the new decade began, with Top 20 albums like TP (1980) and It’s Time for Love (1981), as well as Top 5 R&B hits like “Love T.K.O.” and the Stephanie Mills duet “Two Hearts.” But his life was forever changed in March 1982, when a car accident left him paralyzed from the chest down.
It was a long road to recovery for Pendergrass, who underwent years of physical therapy. In 1985, he made his triumphant return to the stage during Live Aid, appearing in front of nearly 100,000 fans (and countless others via satellite) at Philadelphia’s John F. Kennedy Stadium. A year earlier, he recorded his first album since the accident, Love Language (featuring “Hold Me,” a duet with a then-unknown Whitney Houston). In 1988, he was back at the top of the R&B charts with his enduring hit “Joy” (the title track to his GRAMMY®-nominated 10th studio album), while the following decade would find him enjoying a regular schedule of releases.
n 2006, Pendergrass announced his retirement from the industry, turning his focus to his charity, The Teddy Pendergrass Alliance, established to help others with spinal cord injuries rebuild their lives. Four years later, amid failing health, the singer-songwriter passed away at 59, leaving behind a rich musical legacy. Throughout his nearly four-decade-long career, Pendergrass was celebrated with a variety of honors, including five GRAMMY® nominations and a 1979 American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist. In 2021, he was inducted posthumously into the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame.
Click here to pre-save This Christmas (I’d Rather Have Love)
This Christmas (I’d Rather Have Love) Tracklist
An exhibit celebrating and highlighting the 50th anniversary of Philadelphia International Records (PIR), a record label dubbed “The Sound of Philadelphia,” is now on view at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), near Terminal A-East. The label created by songwriting duo Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, along with collaborator Thom Bell, released hits by artists such as Teddy Pendergrass, Patti LaBelle, Lou Rawls, The O’Jays, and Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. Read More Here
Release date: 8th March
Label: Philadelphia International Records
In support of the feature-length documentary ‘Teddy Pendergrass – If You Don’t Know Me’, Mixmag presents ‘Teddy Pendergrass: The Remixes’. Featuring contributions from the foremost figures in the global electronic music scene Jamie Jones, Damian Lazarus, DJ Pierre, Francesca Lombardo and Cassy, the remix EP will be out on Friday 8th March on Philadelphia International Records via Legacy Recordings a division of Sony Music Entertainment.
Throughout the EP, selections from Teddy Pendergrass’ timeless catalogue are reimagined through an electronic lens. Opening the release is Jamie Jones’ remix of ‘Life is a Song Worth Singing’. Faithful to the feel-good essence of the original track, Jamie delivers a rippling, synth-based interpretation. Damian Lazarus manipulates the powerful tones Teddy was famed for on ‘I Don’t Love You Anymore’, building an ambient disco groove around sparse vocal lines. ‘Do Me’, a signature record that solidified Pendergrass’ sex symbol status receives a rhythmic, dreamy rework courtesy of Francesca Lombardo. Cassy’s remix of ‘Only You’ substitutes its funky roots in favour of a thumping and bass-driven affair ready to set any dancefloor alight before acid house legend DJ Pierre closes up proceedings.
‘Teddy Pendergrass – If You Don’t Know Me’ – a documentary co-produced by Mixmag’s parent company Wasted Talent – chronicles the life and career of one of soul music’s most cherished artists. As one of the first African-American artists to produce four consecutive platinum albums, Teddy Pendergrass was undeniably on the brink of a superstardom to rival the likes of Marvin Gaye, Barry White or even Michael Jackson, when fate took a drastic, almost fatal turn. Through interviews with family, friends and colleagues the film tells the story of his rise to fame within the complexities of 60s and 70s America, his tragic fall and his triumphant comeback.
Producer of the documentary, Piers Tempest commented: “Teddy’s story is an important and ultimately inspiring one and we are delighted to help shine a light on the man and his music”.
Mixmag’s Global Editorial Director, Nick DeCosemo, comments further: “It’s a testament to Teddy’s influence and legacy that some of the biggest names in contemporary dance music jumped at the chance to remix his classic tracks. Mixmag is so proud to help honour Teddy’s legacy and bring his music to a new generation of fans.”
Teddy Pendergrass – ‘If You Don’t Know Me’ premiered in the U.S. on February 8 on Showtime and is currently available on demand and streaming. For more information: www.showtime.com. The UK film premiere in conjunction with Sky Arts will take place at The British Film Institute (BFI) on 19th February 2019 where director Olivia Lichtenstein will be taking questions before its nationwide release on 21st February at select UK cinemas.
TEDDY PENDERGRASS – IF YOU DON’T KNOW ME
The Rise, Fall And Resurrection Of Soul’s Sexiest Superstar
OPENING AT CINEMAS IN UK NATIONWIDE
BRITISH FILM INSTITUTE (BFI)
19th FEBRUARY 2019
Includes Q&A session with director
Olivia Lichtenstein
OPENING AT CINEMAS NATIONWIDE
February 19 London, BFI Premiere
February 21 London, DocHouse Director Q&A
February 22 Nottingham, Broadway
February 22-23 Derby, QUAD
February 22-27 Bristol Watershed
February 28 Bristol Watershed Director Q&A
February 23 London Rio Cinema, Dalston
February 24 London ArtHouse, Crouch End Director Q&A
February 27 London Regent Street
March 01 London Genesis Director Q&A
March 01 Birmingham Mockingbird
March 03 London Ritzy Brixton Director Q&A
March 04 Darlington The Forum Cinema
March 05 London Lexi Cinema Director Q&A
March 04-07 Glasgow Film Theatre
March 08-09 Leicester Phoenix Cinema
March 23 Newcastle Hoochie Coochie Club Director Q&A
March 27-28 Edinburgh Filmhouse
March 29 Sterling Macrobert
April 03 Dublin Sugar Club Director Q&A
April 09-10 Aberdeen Belmont Filmhouse
‘Teddy Pendergrass: The Remixes’ is set for release on March 8th.
A documentary life story of Teddy Pendergrass “If you don’t know me by now” Will air on SHOWTIME at 9pm on Friday February 8th.
A new documentary and remix EP examine the life and art of Pendergrass, the Philadelphia soul singer who suffered a debilitating accident in 1982.
The Philadelphia Film Society is proud to announce the award winners for the 27th Philadelphia Film Festival, including an unprecedented tie for the coveted Audience Award for Teddy Pendergrass: If You Don’t Know Me and Green Book.
