Teddy Pendergrass has died!
Teddy Pendergrass has died aged 59
Teddy Pendergrass has died aged 59. Reports are saying that he passed away in the early hours of this morning after a long battle with colon cancer. Teddy Pendergrass was paralysed from the waist down in a car accident in 1982 but continued his soul career long after. Teddy went on tour in 2001 for the first time since his accident.
Share:The death of Teddy Pendergrass will undoubtedly shock many soul lovers, this great star will be greatly missed. Pendergrass enjoyed early success with Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, whose hits included If You Don't Know Me By Now, before going solo in 1976. He was the first black male singer to record five consecutive multi-platinum albums in the US. As lead singer with Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, Pendergrass had his first US hit with I Miss You in 1972. A string of successful singles in the US, as well as the UK followed, including If You Don't Know Me By Now, later covered by acts including Simply Red, and Don't Leave Me This Way - also a hit for Thelma Houston in 1976 and The Communards in 1986. Pendergrass, who has used a wheelchair since his accident, made a return to live performance at the Live Aid concert in Philadelphia in July 1985. "To all his fans who loved his music, thank you," his son said. "He will live on through his music." Later in life hefounded the Teddy Pendergrass Alliance to help people with spinal cord injuries "achieve their maximum potential in areas of education, employment, housing, productivity and overall independence". He is survived by his wife, his son, two daughters, his mother and nine grandchildren. RIP Teddy Pendergrass.
Teddy Pendergrass has died!
By: Nick Parkin