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Artist
Teddy Pendergrass
12+ albums
soulrnbphilly soulsexyfunk
about
Theodore DeReese Pendergrass (March 26, 1950 – January 13, 2010) was an American soul and R&B singer and songwriter. Born in Kingstree, South Carolina, he spent most of his life in the Philadelphia area. Pendergrass first gained prominence as the lead singer of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes before embarking on a solo career in 1976 under the Philadelphia International label, releasing five consecutive platinum albums. In March 1982, he was involved in a car accident that left him paralyzed from the chest down. He continued to record and perform until retiring in 2007 and died from respiratory failure in 2010. Pendergrass was the only child of Jesse and Ida Geraldine Pendergrass. He grew up in North Philadelphia and began singing in church, also playing drums. He was ordained as a minister at age ten and attended Thomas Edison High School for Boys, performing with the Edison Mastersingers. He dropped out in the 11th grade to pursue a music career, recording his first song, "Angel with Muddy Feet". Pendergrass played drums for several local bands and became the drummer for The Cadillacs, before joining Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes in 1970. During a performance, he was noticed for his singing and made the lead vocalist. The group signed with Philadelphia International Records in 1971 and achieved success with singles such as "I Miss You", "If You Don't Know Me by Now", "The Love I Lost", "Hope That We Can Be Together Soon", "Wake Up Everybody", "Bad Luck", and "Don't Leave M
