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Teddy Pendergrass was born to Ida Geraldine Epps and the late Jesse Pendergrass (murdered in 1962), who left when Pendergrass was very young and was not 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, which soon merged with Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. 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 subsidiary Philadelphia International Records in 1972. The Blue Notes had hits such as "I Miss You," "Bad Luck," "Wake Up Everybody," "The Two Million Seller," "If You Don't Know Me By Now" 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," "I Don't Love You Anymore," "Turn Off the Lights" and others.
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 album It's Time for Love (1981). He also sang a duet with Whitney Houston on "Hold Me," from her self-titled debut album
Accident
On March 18, 1982, in the Germantown 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. The incident left him paralyzed from the waist down, due to a spinal cord injury, and with limited use of his arms.
Later career
In 1996, he starred alongside Stephanie Mills in the touring production of the gospel musical Your Arms Too Short to Box with God.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 (Philadelphia International) - US Pop #17, US R&B #5
1978: Life Is a Song Worth Singing (Philadelphia International) - US Pop #11, US R&B #1
1979: Teddy (Philadelphia International) - US Pop #5, US R&B #1
1979: Live! Coast to Coast (Philadelphia International) - US Pop #33, US R&B #5
1980: TP (Philadelphia International) - US Pop #14, US R&B #3
1981: It's Time for Love (Philadelphia International) - US Pop #19, US R&B #6
1982: This One's for You (Philadelphia International) - US Pop #59, US R&B #6
1983: Heaven Only Knows (Philadelphia International) - US Pop #123, US R&B #9
1984: Love Language (Asylum) - US Pop #38, US R&B #4
1985: Greatest Hits (Philadelphia International) - US R&B #65
1985: Workin' It Back (Asylum) - US Pop #96, US R&B #6
1988: Joy (Elektra) - 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" - 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." - US Pop #44, US R&B #2
1981: "Two Hearts" (with Stephanie Mills) - 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) - 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) - 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
Year Result Award Category Song
1979 Nominated Grammy Award Best Male R&B Vocal Performance "Close the Door"
1982 Nominated Best Male R&B Vocal Performance "I Can't Live Without Your Love"
1989 Nominated Best Male R&B Vocal Performance "Joy"
1992 Nominated Best Male R&B Vocal Performance "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart"
1994 Nominated Best Male R&B Vocal Performance "Voodoo"
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![I Miss You (Expanded Edition) [feat. Teddy Pendergrass]](https://lastfm.freetls.fastly.net/i/u/300x300/38da1c0050f1eea1651e1009dbc6edc3.jpg)
