At the age of 59, soul singer, Teddy Pendergrass has passed away. Affectionately known as "Teddy Bear" to the thousands of female fans who adored him. As one of the leading male sex symbols of his early career, the singer gained a reputation for his forceful, masculine voice and passionate love ballads. Pendergrass became one of the most successful male soul singers of the 70's and early 80's. The five-time Grammy-nominated singer had chart-topping hits in three different decades with 1978’s “Close the Door,” 1988’s “Joy” and 1991’s “It Should’ve Been You,” plus well-known songs like “Love TKO,” “Two Hearts” with Stephanie Mills and “Hold Me,” a duet with Whitney Houston that was featured on Houston’s 1985 debut album. Pendergrass began his career as lead singer of the Philadelphia soul group Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. He sung the lead on their Number One hit “If You Don’t Know Me By Now”. He would later leave the group to embark on his own solo career. Pendergrass’ rise to international fame was briefly halted after he was involved in a 1982 car crash that left him in the hospital for six months and paralyzed from the waist down, but he didn’t let the accident prevent him from making music.
His music will live on in the hearts and souls of his many fans.
March 26, 1950 – January 13, 2010
so sad to loose another great idol.
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