General Music Chat

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/Music/01/14/teddy.pendergrass.obit/

R&B singer Teddy Pendergrass dies at 59
January 14, 2010



(CNN) -- R&B legend Teddy Pendergrass died Wednesday evening, his former publicist said. He was 59.

Pendergrass, known for smash love ballads such as "Turn Off the Lights" and "Love TKO," died after a long illness, according to Lisa Barbaris, who described herself as a close friend and his last publicist.

He died at a hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he was born.

His family did not reveal details about his illness, but said it was related to complications from a 1982 car accident, Barbaris said.

"His beloved family surrounded him. The world has lost one of its greatest voices and performers," a statement from Barbaris said.

"His family is devastated. He has three children and, even though it was expected, it still hurts," she said.

The crooner, who many affectionately knew as just "Teddy," started in music with a group called the Cadillacs in the late 1960s and was still with the group when it merged with Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, according to his official Web site.

He started as a drummer, but soon began to sing lead after the group heard his powerful voice.

In 1972, Pendergrass's baritone could be heard on the classic Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes song "If You Don't Know Me by Now."

The song became a No. 1 hit across the country and led Pendergrass to many other hits and accolades.

After going solo, Pendergrass received several Grammy nominations, Billboard's 1977 Pop Album New Artist Award and an American Music Award for best R&B performer of 1978, Barbaris said.

In 1982, Pendergrass was involved in a car accident that left him paralyzed. But Pendergrass returned to the studio in 1984 in his wheelchair to record an album.

Before his death, Pendergrass was working on a musical documenting his life, called "I Am Who I Am."

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LEGEND!

"If you don't know me by now"...

... Say no more!

Rest in Peace Brother!
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For some reason I thought he had been dead for years. I think my mind put Curtis Mayfield, and Luther Vandross together and came up with a third person.

Aw man.. That brings back some memories. When I was in high school, I had a friend of mine who was kind of a degenerate. His dad always blamed the crowd he hung with. But he LOVED me man.. I was the only kid he liked period!! Hahaha.

But he used to call me Teddy Pendergrass.. He started calling me that when he found out I played guitar..

Aw man. I remember it like it was yesterday.. "Hey!! Teddy Pendergrass!! What? You got tunnel vision?? You cain't see the doorbell? You gotta knock on my door like a spaz!! Maybe you can wake Brett up.. Boy don't listen to me.. Take them shoes of Pendergrass, I just cleaned the carpet."

He liked to act like a cranky hard-nosed guy, but he really was cool.. I used to really look up to him. He was a hard worker. Single dad. Kid always in trouble. Kind of a weird story, but every time I see or hear Teddy Pendergrass, it just reminds me of my friend's dad. I kinda miss him.

I've thought he was dead several times since his accident, only to find out that he wasn't. I thought he was dead when I heard this. He was good, & it's a shame.

Craig,

Oh my, this is the first time I heard this. So sad, this just seems like it is going to be a year with many deaths.

Craig,

Oh my, this is the first time I heard this. So sad, this just seems like it is going to be a year with many deaths.

You said it.

I know everyone has been hopeful, being a new year, and people always like round numbers... 2010

But yeah, it's starting out already with alot of tragic deaths, lots of musicians, actors, etc...

There may be 50,000 dead in Haiti from that Earthquake.

It's not been the best month, as a start for a great new year.

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