THE PROBLEM was that most of the public assumed that it was Harold Melvin they were hearing. Only the hard-core fans knew who Teddy Pendergrass was.
This “identity crisis” had much to do with Teddy going solo in 1977. And it is interesting to note that after his departure, the popularity of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes nosedived quickly and dramatically.
Pendergrass, however, became a superstar and was one of the key ingredients to the ascension of the Philadelphia International record company. After his debut, “Teddy Pendergrass,” it was one hit album after another, including “Life Is a Song Worth Singing,” “Teddy,” “It’s Time For Love,” “TP” and “Live! Coast to Coast.”
Among the chart-ruling singles were “Close the Door,” “Come Go With Me,” “I Don’t Love You Anymore,” “Turn Off the Lights,” “Can’t We Try?” and “You’re My Latest, My Greatest Inspiration.” There was also a duet hit with Stephanie Mills, “Two Hearts.”
THE PUBLIC was shocked and fans were heartbroken when Pendergrass was involved in a serious automobile accident in March of 1982. He suffered spinal cord injury which left him paralyzed from the waist down from then on.
Despite being confined to a wheel chair, he made additional records, reaching the Top 10 with “Joy,” “2 A.M.,” “It Should’ve Been You,” “Love 4/2” and a duet with Whitney Houston, “Hold Me.” He also recorded a particularly beautiful song titled “In My Time.”
In addition, in 1996 he was featured in a touring production of “Your Arms Too Short to Box With God.”
Teddy Pendergrass certainly lived an interesting life, one full of amazing highs and incredible lows. However, he was still inclined to count his blessings. In fact, his autobiography, published in 1998, was titled “Truly Blessed.”
The public was also blessed to have had a chance to enjoy one of the greatest R&B singers of all time, Teddy Pendergrass. — Jason Donovan contributed to this story.
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