TEDDY PENDERGRASS - THE LEGEND AMONG THE LEGENDS

What can you say about a man with humble beginnings? A man who was a legend and changed the way we listen to music and feel when listening to the lyrics!  Teddy Pendergrass full name is Theodore DeReese "Teddy" Pendagrass he was born March 26,1950 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Teddy was raised by his mother his father left when he was young and was later murdered in 1962. Teddy discovered at a young age that music was not only his gift but a calling he had to fulfill. He didn't stop at the idea of just singing however he took it further, a songwriter,even  composer . He also played instruments the piano,guitar and the drums evidently that was how he got his start playing the drums. He started playing the drums for The Cadillacs which later collaborated to be Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes. Harold Melvin gave Teddy his start by asking him to take the lead and singing no longer was he in the background. In 1972 the group signed with Gamble & Huff , the Blue Notes had many hits the made them a group to be recognized. The many acclaimed well- known hits are : "Bad Luck", "Wake Up Everybody" and "I Miss You". These hits lead to the two million selling song entitled : "If You Don't Know By Now". Teddy Pendergrass would later leave the group due to personal issues, however it was his solo career that took off with major acclaimed hits.  His well known tracks that gave him his solo standing : "The More I Want, The More I Get", "Close The Door", and "Turn Off The Lights" were the singles that launched his career.

In March of 1982 he was in an accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down. However that did not stop or end his monumental career! He would later battle a disease that would unfortunately get the best of him, Colon Cancer and difficulties from recovery ended the life of Teddy Pendergrass at the young golden age of 59. He was absent in many later years of his career however his inspiration on artist took over while he was away. Teddy inspired many artists from the names of Twista, Camer'on , Kanye West, and many more was touched by his work and his music. He released his autobiography in 1998 entitled Truly Blessed and he was a gift to music that many can never come close too. With countless albums and singles he gave us music to feel inspired by and love again. He will be missed and cannot ever be replaced, and I hope that these young, upcoming even established artist. Took notes on all the legends that are leaving us too soon. It's about the talent and not the propaganda even the ability not the image surrounding the artist.

(March 26, 1950 – January 13, 2010) Albums By Teddy Pendergrass

• 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 #69

Singles By Teddy Pendergrass:

• 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
• 1983: "I Want My Baby Back" – US R&B #61
• 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: "Joy" – US Pop #71, US R&B #1
• 1988: "2 A.M." – US R&B #3
• 1988: "Love Is the Power" – US R&B #57
• 1990: "Glad to Be Alive" (with Lisa Fischer) – US R&B #31
• 1991: "Make It with You" – US R&B #23
• 1991: "It Should've Been You" – US R&B #1
• 1991: "I Find Everything 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