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Theodore "Teddy" DeReese Pendergrass, Sr. (born March 26, 1950) is an American
United States

The United States of America is a Federal government constitutional republic comprising U.S. state and a federal district. The country is situated mostly in central North America, where its Contiguous United States and Washington, D.C., the Capital districts and territories, lie between the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Oceans, Borders of the U...
 R&B
Rhythm and blues

Rhythm and blues is the name given to a wide-ranging genre of popular music first created by African Americans in the late 1940s and early 1950s....
/soul
Soul music

Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the African American culture through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of funky, Secularity testifying." The genre occasion...
 singer and songwriter
Songwriter

File:Beethoven.jpgA songwriter is someone who writes the lyrics, as well the musical composition or melody to songs. One who writes only lyrics is a lyricist, while one who writes only music is a composer....
. Pendergrass is also known as Teddy P, TP, or Teddy Bear.

y Pendergrass was born on March 26, 1950 to Ida Geraldine Epps and the late Jesse Pendergrass (who was murdered in 1962), who left when Pendergrass was very young and was never a part of his life.






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Encyclopedia


Theodore "Teddy" DeReese Pendergrass, Sr. (born March 26, 1950) is an American
United States

The United States of America is a Federal government constitutional republic comprising U.S. state and a federal district. The country is situated mostly in central North America, where its Contiguous United States and Washington, D.C., the Capital districts and territories, lie between the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Oceans, Borders of the U...
 R&B
Rhythm and blues

Rhythm and blues is the name given to a wide-ranging genre of popular music first created by African Americans in the late 1940s and early 1950s....
/soul
Soul music

Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the African American culture through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of funky, Secularity testifying." The genre occasion...
 singer and songwriter
Songwriter

File:Beethoven.jpgA songwriter is someone who writes the lyrics, as well the musical composition or melody to songs. One who writes only lyrics is a lyricist, while one who writes only music is a composer....
. Pendergrass is also known as Teddy P, TP, or Teddy Bear.

Biography

Teddy Pendergrass was born on March 26, 1950 to Ida Geraldine Epps and the late Jesse Pendergrass (who was murdered in 1962), who left when Pendergrass was very young and was never a part of his life. He was a student at the old Thomas Edison High School for Boys. However, he dropped out in the 11th grade to go into the music business. According to author Robert Ewell Greene, Teddy Pendergrass was ordained a minister as a youngster. Later he was to become a drummer for a band, and later lead singer. The church was his initiation for talent and eventual success.

Musical career

Pendergrass's career began when he was a drummer for The Cadillacs
The Cadillacs

The Cadillacs were an United States rock and roll and doo-wop group from Harlem, New York; active from 1953 to 1962. The group was noted for their 1955 chart-topper "Speedoo," which was instrumental in attracting White people audiences to African American rock and roll performers....
, which soon merged with Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes
Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes

Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes were an USA singing group, one of the most popular Philadelphia soul groups of the 1970s. The group's repertoire included soul music, R&B, doo-wop, and disco....
. Melvin invited Pendergrass to become the lead singer after he jumped from the rear of a stage and started singing his heart out. Months later the group signed with Gamble & Huff on the then CBS
CBS

CBS Broadcasting Inc. is an American radio network and television network. The name is derived from the initials of Columbia Broadcasting System, its former legal name....
 subsidiary Philadelphia International Records
Philadelphia International Records

This article is about the record label. For the airport, see Philadelphia International Airport.Philadelphia International Records is a record label founded by Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff in 1971 in music....
 in 1972. The Blue Notes had hits such as "I Miss You", "Bad Luck", "Wake Up Everybody
Wake Up Everybody

Wake Up Everybody is a 1975 album by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes....
", "The Two Million Seller", "If You Don't Know Me By Now
If You Don't Know Me By Now

"If You Don't Know Me by Now" is a song written by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff and recorded by the Philadelphia soul musical group Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, which became their first hit after being released as a single in 1972, topping the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and peaking at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart....
", and many more. Following personality conflicts between Melvin and Pendergrass, Pendergrass launched a solo career and released hit singles like "The More I Get the More I Want", "Close the Door
Close the Door

"Close the Door" was a hit song for Teddy Pendergrass in 1978. It spent two weeks at number one on the R&B charts and peaked at number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100....
", "I Don't Love You Anymore", "Turn Off the Lights", and more.

His first solo album was self titled Teddy Pendergrass (1977), followed by Life is a Song Worth Singing (1978), Live Coast to Coast and Teddy (1979), 1980's TP and the final Philadelphia International Records
Philadelphia International Records

This article is about the record label. For the airport, see Philadelphia International Airport.Philadelphia International Records is a record label founded by Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff in 1971 in music....
 album It's Time for Love (1981).

Accident

On March 18, 1982, in the Germantown
Germantown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Germantown is a neighborhood in the Northwest Philadelphia section of the city of Philadelphia, about six miles northwest from the center of the city....
 section of Philadelphia on Lincoln Drive, Pendergrass was involved in an automobile accident when the brakes failed on his Rolls-Royce and he hit a tree which left him paralyzed from the waist down, due to a spinal cord injury, and limited use of his arms. Pendergrass and his passenger, Tenika Watson, a transsexual
Transsexualism

Transsexualism is a condition in which an individual gender identity with a physical sex different from the one with which he or she was born....
 nightclub performer with whom Pendergrass was casually acquainted, were trapped in the wreckage.

Later career

In 1996, he starred alongside Stephanie Mills
Stephanie Mills

Stephanie Mills to Joseph Mills and Christine Mills . Mills is a United States Grammy Award-winning rhythm and blues and soul music singer, a former Broadway theatre star, and was originally given the title as "the little girl with the big voice."...
 in the touring production of the gospel musical Your Arms Too Short to Box with God
Your Arms Too Short to Box with God

Your Arms Too Short to Box with God, subtitled "A Soaring Celebration in Song and Dance", was a Broadway musical based on the Bible Book of Matthew, with music and lyrics by Alex Bradford and a book by Vinnette Carroll, who also Theatre director....
.In 1998, Pendergrass released his autobiography entitled, Truly Blessed.

In 2006, Pendergrass announced his retirement from the music business. In 2007, he briefly returned to performing to participate in Teddy 25: A Celebration of Life, Hope & Possibilities, a 25th anniversary awards ceremony that marked Pendergrass' accident date, but also raised money for his charity, The Teddy Pendergrass Alliance, and honored those who helped Pendergrass since his accident.

Discography


Albums

  • 1977: Teddy Pendergrass
    Teddy Pendergrass (album)

    Teddy Pendergrass was the debut album from legendary R&B/Soul crooner Teddy Pendergrass, released in 1977. It did surprisingly well for a debut album, reaching #17 on the pop album Billboard charts and #5 on the R&B album charts....
     (Philadelphia International) - US Pop #17, US R&B #5
  • 1978: Life Is a Song Worth Singing
    Life Is a Song Worth Singing

    Life Is a Song Worth Singing was the second album by Contemporary R&B crooner Teddy Pendergrass. It contained two singles: "Only You" and "Close the Door." "Close The Door" reached #1 on the Billboard charts....
     (Philadelphia International) - US Pop #11, US R&B #1
  • 1979: Teddy
    Teddy (album)

    Teddy was the third album by Contemporary R&B crooner Teddy Pendergrass, released on June 23, 1979 . It included more "bedroom ballads," comparable to Marvin Gaye's Midnight Love....
     (Philadelphia International) - US Pop #5, US R&B #1
  • 1979: Live! Coast to Coast
    Live! Coast to Coast

    Live! Coast to Coast was the first live album and fourth overall album by R&B crooner Teddy Pendergrass. It was recorded in Philadelphia in 1978 and Los Angeles in 1979....
     (Philadelphia International) - US Pop #33, US R&B #5
  • 1980: TP
    TP (Teddy Pendergrass album)

    TP is the 5th album by R&B singer Teddy Pendergrass. On the album charts, it reached #14 on the US pop charts, and #3 on the US R&B charts. It spawned two top ten singles, "Can't We Try" and "Love T.K.O.," and is considered the last of his best albums....
     (Philadelphia International) - US Pop #14, US R&B #3
  • 1981: It's Time for Love
    It's Time for Love

    It's Time for Love was the sixth album by Teddy Pendergrass, an Contemporary R&B crooner. It did quite well, peaking at #19 on the Billboard charts albums chart and #6 on the R&B album charts....
     (Philadelphia International) - US Pop #19, US R&B #6
  • 1982: This One's for You
    This One's for You (Teddy Pendergrass album)

    This One's for You was the seventh album by contemporary R&B crooner Teddy Pendergrass. It was released just after a bad car accident Pendergrass was involved in, which left him paralyzed from the waist down due to a spinal cord injury....
     (Philadelphia International) - US Pop #59, US R&B #6
  • 1983: Heaven Only Knows
    Heaven Only Knows

    Heaven Only Knows was the eighth album by contemporary R&B crooner Teddy Pendergrass. It was his final studio album for Philadelphia International, released just after he left the label to record his album for Asylum Records....
     (Philadelphia International) - US Pop #123, US R&B #9
  • 1984: Love Language
    Love Language

    Love Language was the ninth album by R&B/Soul crooner Teddy Pendergrass. It was his first record for Asylum Records after being a longtime artist on Philadelphia International Records....
     (Asylum
    Asylum Records

    Asylum Records is an American record label, owned by Warner Music Group, founded by agent-managers David Geffen and Elliot Roberts in 1971. After various incarnations, today it is geared primarily towards Hip hop music music....
    ) - US Pop #38, US R&B #4
  • 1985: Greatest Hits (Philadelphia International) - US R&B #65
  • 1985: Workin' It Back
    Workin' It Back

    Workin' It Back was the tenth album by R&B/Soul crooner Teddy Pendergrass. It was his second record for Asylum Records, once a longtime artist on Philadelphia International Records....
     (Asylum) - US Pop #96, US R&B #6
  • 1988: Joy (Elektra
    Elektra Records

    Elektra Records is a now-dormant United States record label owned by Warner Music Group. In 2004, it was consolidated into WMG's Atlantic Records Group....
    ) - US Pop #54, US R&B #2
  • 1991: Truly Blessed (Elektra) - US Pop #49, US R&B #4
  • 1993: A Little More Magic (Elektra) - US Pop #92, US R&B #13
  • 1997: You and I (Surefire) - US Pop #137, US R&B #24
  • 1998: The Best of Teddy Pendergrass (The Right Stuff)
  • 1998: This Christmas I'd Rather Have Love (Surefire/Wind-Up) - US R&B #83
  • 2001: Greatest Slow Jams (The Right Stuff) - US R&B #98
  • 2002: From Teddy with Love (Razor & Tie) - US R&B #63
  • 2004: Love Songs Collection (The Right Stuff) - US R&B #70


Singles


  • 1977: "I Don't Love You Anymore" - US Pop #41, US R&B #5
  • 1977: "The Whole Town's Laughing At Me" - US R&B #16
  • 1978: "Close the Door
    Close the Door

    "Close the Door" was a hit song for Teddy Pendergrass in 1978. It spent two weeks at number one on the R&B charts and peaked at number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100....
    " - US Pop #25, US R&B #1
  • 1978: "Only You" - US R&B #22
  • 1979: "Turn Off the Lights" - US Pop #48, US R&B #2
  • 1979: "Come Go With Me" - US R&B #14
  • 1980: "Shout and Scream" - US R&B #21
  • 1980: "It's You I Love" - US R&B #44
  • 1980: "Can't We Try" - US Pop #52, US R&B #3
  • 1980: "Love T.K.O.
    Love T.K.O.

    "Love TKO" was a single by R&B crooner Teddy Pendergrass, from his 1980 in music album, TP . It reached #2 on the Billboard R&B charts and #44 on the Billboard Hot 100....
    " - US Pop #44, US R&B #2
  • 1981: "Two Hearts" (with Stephanie Mills
    Stephanie Mills

    Stephanie Mills to Joseph Mills and Christine Mills . Mills is a United States Grammy Award-winning rhythm and blues and soul music singer, a former Broadway theatre star, and was originally given the title as "the little girl with the big voice."...
    ) - US Pop #40, US R&B #3
  • 1981: "I Can't Live Without Your Love" - US R&B #10
  • 1982: "You're My Latest, My Greatest Inspiration" - US Pop #43, US R&B #4
  • 1982: "The Gift of Life" / "Nine Times Out of Ten" - US R&B #31
  • 1982: "I Can't Win for Losing" - US R&B #32
  • 1984: "Hold Me" (with Whitney Houston
    Whitney Houston

    Whitney Elizabeth Houston is an United States singer, songwriter,actress, record producer, film producer, and former model . Houston rose to international fame in the mid-1980s and her crossover success opened doors for many other African American women to find success in booty shaking & pop music and movies....
    ) - US Pop #46, US R&B #5
  • 1984: "You're My Choice Tonight (Choose Me)" - US R&B #15
  • 1985: "Never Felt Like Dancin'" - US R&B #21
  • 1986: "Love 4/2" - US R&B #6
  • 1986: "Let Me Be Closer" - US R&B #67
  • 1988: "2 A.M." - US R&B #3
  • 1988: "Joy" - US Pop #71, US R&B #1
  • 1988: "Love Is the Power" - US R&B #57
  • 1990: "Glad to Be Alive" (with Lisa Fischer
    Lisa Fischer

    Lisa Fischer is an United States Grammy Award winning R&B singer. She is known for her beautiful image, impressive vocal range and talents that reach high up to the whistle register, and her 1991 smash hit single "How Can I Ease the Pain"....
    ) - US R&B #31
  • 1991: "It Should've Been You" - US R&B #1
  • 1991: "I Find Everyting In You" - US R&B #31
  • 1993: "Voodoo" - US R&B #25
  • 1994: "Believe In Love" - US R&B #14
  • 1994: "I'm Always Thinking About You" - US R&B #90
  • 1997: "Don't Keep Wastin' My Time" - US Pop #90, US R&B #39
  • 1997: "Give It to Me" - US R&B #57


Awards & nominations


External links

  • (needs Macromedia Flash)
  • at Allmusic
  • at Discogs
    Discogs

    Discogs, short for discography, is a website and database of information about music recordings, including commercial releases, promotional releases, and Bootleg recording or off-label releases....