Published: January 14, 2010
Teddy Pendergrass Dies at 59 from Colon Cancer
Teddy Pendergrass
EXODUS Staff - Soul soul singer Teddy Pendergrass who brought so much emotion and love in his music died after a long illness. Theodore DeReese Pendergrass was born March 26, 1950, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Ida Geraldine Epps and Jesse Pendergrass. Jesse didn't play a part in young Pendergrass' life. Jesse was murdered in 1962 when Pendergrass was 12 years old.
Pendergrass went to Thomas Edison High School for Boys in Philadelphia and sang with his high school group, "The Edison Mastersingers". Pendergrass dropped out of high school in the 11th grade to chase his dream and become an entertainer. Pendergrass sang in church most of his life where his raw talent for singing was polished. Pendergrass' singing in church lead to success in the music world.
Pendergrass started his music career playing the drums for the Cadillacs a group that morphed into Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes. His emotional singing style moved Pendergrass to lead singer of Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes. Shortly after Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes signed with Gamble & Huff on the Philadelphia International Record label in 1972. The Blue Notes became an international success with such hits as "Bad Luck", "Wake Up Everybody", "If You Don't Know Me By Now" and more.
In 1977, Pendergrass went solo with his hit album "Teddy Pendergrass". Pendergrass captivated audiences and was recognized as one of the leading soul singers and topped R&B charts.
In 1981, Pendergrass was in an automobile accident and suffered a spinal injury that left him paralyzed. After completing physical therapy Pendergrass continued his music career with the album "Love Language".
In 1996, Pendergrass performed along with Stephanie Mills in the gospel musical "Your Arms Too Short to Box with god." Pendergrass and Patricia Romanowski wrote his autobiography, "Truly Blessed" in 1999.
Pendergrass continued recording music until his retirement in 2006.
Pendergrass was diagnosed with colon cancer, a disease in which African American men have the highest rate of death in the United States. African American women are second in death with this horrible disease. Last year Pendergrass underwent surgery for colon cancer and had difficulty recovering from the disease. Pendergrass died on January 13, 2010, at age 59.
Pendergrass is survived by his wife, mother, son, two daughter and nine grandchildren.
Teddy Pendergrass website: http://www.teddypendergrass.com/
About Colon Cancer: http://coloncancer.about.com/od/ethnicityandsocialstatus/a/BlackPeopleCC.htm
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