R&B singer Teddy Pendergrass dies at 59 in Pennsylvania

Teddy Pendergrass the reigning R&B sex symbol of the 70’s and 80’s dies on Wednesday at the age of 59.

Pendergrass who was loved for his forceful, masculine, soulful voice and passionate love ballads had met with a devastating car accident in 1982 that left him paralyzed from the waist down. He had also undergone a colon cancer surgery 8 months ago but had difficulties in recovering.

Teddy Pendergrass had become an inspirational figure after the car accident and had briefly returned to live performance at the 1985 Live Aid concert, where he performed on his wheelchair. He also founded the Teddy Pendergrass Alliance with the mission of encouraging people suffering from spinal cord injuries and helping them achieve maximum potential in employment, education, productivity, housing and independence.

The singer was born on 26 March 1950 in Philadelphia and first gained popularity as a member of the Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. The group signed a record deal in 1971 with legendary producer/writers Leon Huff and Kenny Gamble. They released their first single, “I Miss You” in 1972 followed by “If You Don’t Know Me by Now”, which was nominated for the Grammy Awards.

Pendergrass made women swoon to his every note and was the first black male singer to have five consecutive multi-platinum music albums. He is survived by his mother, wife, son, two daughters and nine grandchildren.