Teddy Pendergrass, who was one of the biggest stars in music before a car accident temporarily derailed his career, has died after a battle with colon cancer. He was 59. As lead singer of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, Teddy's powerful vocals fronted such Philly Soul classics as If You Don't Know Me By Now, Bad Luck, Where Are All My Friends, and Wake Up Everybody.
Due to the fact that some people weren't aware that Teddy was the lead singer, friction developed between him and Harold Melvin, causing Teddy to go solo in 1976. Out on his own, Teddy didn't miss a beat, scoring such hits as I Don't Love You Anymore, Close the Door, Turn Off the Lights, and Love T.K.O. Teddy's budding reputation as a sex symbol reached new heights and led to him having several "ladies only" concerts starting in 1978.
In March of 1982, the brakes on Teddy's Rolls Royce failed, causing it to first hit a guard rail and then two trees. Teddy and Tenika Watson, a transsexual performer who was a casual acquaintance of Teddy's, were trapped in the wreck for almost an hour. While Tenika had only minor injuries, Teddy suffered a spinal cord injury which left him paralyzed from the waist down.
After completing physical therapy, Teddy resumed his recording career in 1984. His comeback album (Love Language) included the hit Hold Me, a duet with a pre-stardom Whitney Houston. One of my favorite memories of Teddy was his emotional appearance in front of his hometown of Philly at Live Aid in 1985 with Ashford & Simpson. It was Teddy's first live performance since his 1982 car accident. The three of them performed Reach Out & Touch (Somebody's Hand).
Teddy had his 3rd and final #1 R&B hit in 1991 with It Should've Been You. Although he kept a lower profile during the latter part of his career, Teddy did star in the stage production of the gospel musical Your Arms Too Short To Box with God in 1996 and two years later released his autobiography Truly Blessed. After retiring in 2006, Teddy made his final appearance the following year to take part in Teddy 25: A Celebration of Life, Hope & Possibilities, a 25th anniversary awards ceremony. He is survived by his wife, his son, two daughters, his mother and nine grandchildren.
