Teddy Pendergrass Dies at 59 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 01-14-2010, 01:14 AM

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Teddy Pendergrass, who became R&B's reigning sex symbol in the 1970s and '80s with his forceful, masculine voice and passionate love ballads and later became an inspirational figure after suffering a devastating car accident that left him paralyzed, died Wednesday at age 59.

The singer's son, Teddy Pendergrass II, said his father died at a hospital in suburban Philadelphia. The singer underwent colon cancer surgery eight months ago and had "a difficult recovery," his son said.

"To all his fans who loved his music, thank you," his son said. "He will live on through his music."

Pendergrass suffered a spinal cord injury and was paralyzed from the waist down in the 1982 car accident. He spent six months in a hospital but returned to recording the next year with the album "Love Language."

He returned to the stage at the Live Aid concert in 1985, performing from his wheelchair.

Pendergrass later founded the Teddy Pendergrass Alliance, an organization whose mission is to encourage and help people with spinal cord injuries achieve their maximum potential in education, employment, housing, productivity and independence, according to its Web site.

Pendergrass, who was born in Philadelphia on March 26, 1950, gained popularity first as a member of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes.

In 1971, the group signed a record deal with the legendary writer/producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. The group released it first single, "I Miss You," in 1972 and then released "If You Don't Know Me by Now," which was nominated for a Grammy Award.

Pendergrass quit the group in 1975 and embarked on a solo career in 1976. It was his solo hits that brought him his greatest fame. With songs such as "Love T.K.O.," "Close the Door" and "I Don't Love You Anymore," he came to define a new era of black male singers with his powerful, aggressive vocals that spoke to virility, not vulnerability.

His lyrics were never coarse, as those of later male R&B stars would be, but they had a sensual nature that bordered on erotic without being explicit.

Marvo301 · 01-14-2010, 01:17 AM

Teddy Pendergrass

Scoobiedoo30 · 01-14-2010, 02:55 AM

RIP

80sTrivia · 01-14-2010, 04:55 AM

Yet another sad death... we'll miss you, Teddy...

MickeyMac · 01-14-2010, 12:54 PM

Teddy P once did a series of concerts for ladies only. Nothing but straight women, how about that??

RIP

JT · 01-14-2010, 02:06 PM

RIP!

Definitely a regular voice heard around the house and at parties growing up.

phoebe7165 · 01-14-2010, 04:36 PM

Teddy

catlover79 · 01-14-2010, 10:31 PM

LOVED his duet with the then-unknown Whitney Houston, "Hold Me".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQBSoFTjU6s

01-14-2010, 01:14 AM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,349	Teddy Pendergrass Dies at 59 Link Teddy Pendergrass, who became R&B's reigning sex symbol in the 1970s and '80s with his forceful, masculine voice and passionate love ballads and later became an inspirational figure after suffering a devastating car accident that left him paralyzed, died Wednesday at age 59. The singer's son, Teddy Pendergrass II, said his father died at a hospital in suburban Philadelphia. The singer underwent colon cancer surgery eight months ago and had "a difficult recovery," his son said. "To all his fans who loved his music, thank you," his son said. "He will live on through his music." Pendergrass suffered a spinal cord injury and was paralyzed from the waist down in the 1982 car accident. He spent six months in a hospital but returned to recording the next year with the album "Love Language." He returned to the stage at the Live Aid concert in 1985, performing from his wheelchair. Pendergrass later founded the Teddy Pendergrass Alliance, an organization whose mission is to encourage and help people with spinal cord injuries achieve their maximum potential in education, employment, housing, productivity and independence, according to its Web site. Pendergrass, who was born in Philadelphia on March 26, 1950, gained popularity first as a member of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. In 1971, the group signed a record deal with the legendary writer/producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. The group released it first single, "I Miss You," in 1972 and then released "If You Don't Know Me by Now," which was nominated for a Grammy Award. Pendergrass quit the group in 1975 and embarked on a solo career in 1976. It was his solo hits that brought him his greatest fame. With songs such as "Love T.K.O.," "Close the Door" and "I Don't Love You Anymore," he came to define a new era of black male singers with his powerful, aggressive vocals that spoke to virility, not vulnerability. His lyrics were never coarse, as those of later male R&B stars would be, but they had a sensual nature that bordered on erotic without being explicit.
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01-14-2010, 01:17 AM	#2
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,452	Teddy Pendergrass
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01-14-2010, 02:55 AM	#3
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	RIP
	__________________ Who Dat

01-14-2010, 04:55 AM	#4
80sTrivia Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 23, 2002 Posts: 21,715	Yet another sad death... we'll miss you, Teddy...
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01-14-2010, 02:06 PM	#6
JT Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 29, 2001 Location: USA Posts: 7,223	RIP! Definitely a regular voice heard around the house and at parties growing up.
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01-14-2010, 12:54 PM	#5
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,004	Teddy P once did a series of concerts for ladies only. Nothing but straight women, how about that?? RIP

01-14-2010, 04:36 PM	#7
phoebe7165 Pop Culture Goddess Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 15, 2003 Location: US of A - the country of "really bad music" lovers Posts: 11,600	Teddy
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01-14-2010, 10:31 PM	#8
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	LOVED his duet with the then-unknown Whitney Houston, "Hold Me". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQBSoFTjU6s
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