Teddy Pendergrass, born Theodore DeReese Pendergrass on March 26, 1950, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was an American singer who rose to prominence in the 1970s as a lead singer of the R&B group Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. After an illustrious tenure with the group, where he helped spawn hits such as "If You Don't Know Me by Now" and "Wake Up Everybody," Pendergrass embarked on a solo career that would cement his status as a soul superstar. His powerful, seductive baritone voice became the embodiment of R&B's masculine ideal, with unforgettable hits like "Close the Door," "Turn Off the Lights," and "Love T.K.O."

Tragically, his career was dramatically altered by a car accident in 1982 that left him paralyzed from the waist down. Despite his disability, Pendergrass continued his musical journey, adapting and persevering to record several more albums which included inspirational tracks, cementing his legacy as a fighter and pioneer of the soul genre. His influence and remarkable talent continued to be celebrated posthumously through various remixes and tributes, such as "John Morales Presents Teddy Pendergrass: The Voice - Remixed With Philly Love," showcasing the timeless nature of his voice and the enduring love of his fans. Teddy Pendergrass passed away on January 13, 2010, but his music and the impact of his voice on the soul and R&B scene remains undiminished.

Genres

Classic Soul

Funk

Motown

Philly Soul

Quiet Storm

Soul

Urban Contemporary

Related Artists

Marvin Gaye

Al Green

Luther Vandross

The O'Jays

Barry White

Smokey Robinson

The Stylistics

The Delfonics

Earth, Wind & Fire

Otis Redding

The Temptations

Sam Cooke

Latest Release

This Christmas (I'd Rather Have Love)

Teddy Pendergrass

Album - 11 Tracks - Released November 3, 2023