Theodore DeReese Pendergrass (March 26, 1950 – January 13, 2010) was an American soul and R&B singer and songwriter. Born in Kingstree, South Carolina, he spent most of his life in the Philadelphia area. Pendergrass first gained prominence as the lead singer of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes before embarking on a solo career in 1976 under the Philadelphia International label, releasing five consecutive platinum albums. In March 1982, he was involved in a car accident that left him paralyzed from the chest down. He continued to record and perform until retiring in 2007 and died from respiratory failure in 2010. Pendergrass was the only child of Jesse and Ida Geraldine Pendergrass. He grew up in North Philadelphia and began singing in church, also playing drums. He was ordained as a minister at age ten and attended Thomas Edison High School for Boys, performing with the Edison Mastersingers. He dropped out in the 11th grade to pursue a music career, recording his first song, "Angel with Muddy Feet". Pendergrass played drums for several local bands and became the drummer for The Cadillacs, before joining Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes in 1970. During a performance, he was noticed for his singing and made the lead vocalist. The group signed with Philadelphia International Records in 1971 and achieved success with singles such as "I Miss You", "If You Don't Know Me by Now", "The Love I Lost", "Hope That We Can Be Together Soon", "Wake Up Everybody", "Bad Luck", and "Don't Leave Me This Way". Pendergrass left the group in 1975 due to financial and personal disagreements. Pendergrass released his self-titled debut solo album in 1977, featuring the singles "I Don't Love You Anymore" and "The Whole Town's Laughing at Me". It was followed by "Life Is a Song Worth Singing" (1978), which included "Only You" and "Close the Door". Subsequent albums included "Teddy" (1979), "Live Coast to Coast" (1979), and "TP" (1980), featuring hits such as "Turn Off the Lights", "Do Me", "Love T.K.O.", "Feel the Fire", and "Is It Still Good to You". Pendergrass’s popularity led to the introduction of women-only concerts and influenced the quiet storm format of black music. On 18 March 1982, Pendergrass was involved in a car crash in Philadelphia that left him tetraplegic. He returned to recording with "Love Language" (1984), which included the single "Hold Me", featuring Whitney Houston. He performed at Live Aid in 1985 and released "Joy" (1988), which included the number-one R&B hit "Joy". He continued recording through the 1990s, releasing "Believe in Love" (1994) and touring in productions such as "Your Arms Too Short to Box with God" (1996). His live performance at "The Power of Love" concert in 2002 was released as the album "From Teddy, With Love". Pendergrass had three children: Tisha, LaDonna, and Theodore Jr. His manager and girlfriend Taazmayia Lang was murdered in 1977. He was married to Karen Still from 1987 to 2002, and later to Joan Williams from 2008 until his death. In June 2009, Pendergrass underwent surgery for colon cancer and died on 13 January 2010 at Bryn Mawr Hospital in Pennsylvania. He was buried at West Laurel Hill Cemetery in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania. Plans for a biopic of his life were reported in 2015, and the documentary "If You Don't Know Me" was released on Showtime in February 2019. Studio albums Teddy Pendergrass (1977) Life Is a Song Worth Singing (1978) Teddy (1979) TP (1980) It's Time for Love (1981) This One's for You (1982) Heaven Only Knows (1983) Love Language (1984) Workin' It Back (1985) Joy (1988) Truly Blessed (1991) A Little More Magic (1993) You and I (1997) This Christmas (I'd Rather Have Love) (1998)