We begin with the loss of Philly’s own “TP.” Teddy Pendergrass has passed away at the age of 58. A life-long resident of the city and an international sensation, Teddy came to prominence as the lead singer of Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes. They signed with Gamble and Huff on Philadelphia International Records in 1971. They had a string of hits with If You Don’t Know Me By Now, The Love I Lost, Bad Luck and Wake Up Everybody. Pendergrass left the Bluenotes and went on to a solo career with the hits Love TKO, Come Go With Me and Close The Door. Although a 1982 car crash left Pendergrass paralyzed, he continued recording and had a hits with You’re My Choice Tonight, Joy and Hold Me, a hit duet with Whitney Houston. In the last years of his life, Pendergrass created The Teddy Pendergrass Alliance, a non-profit advocacy organization for those living with spinal cord injuries. Pendergrass’ record-breaking album sales and concerts set the standard for most of today’s hottest artists. The world will miss the legendary “Teddy Bear.”
