Sunday, December 6, 2009

TEDDY PENDERGRASS

TP album coverImage via Wikipedia
TEDDY PENDERGRASS

Theodore ”Teddy” DeResse Pendergrass better known as Teddy P, TP, or Teddy Bear, was born March 26, 1950. My first encounter with Teddy Pendergrass music was in 1977, “I Don’t Love You Anymore” was playing on the radio, I went to the record store and bought that single and “The Whole Town’s Laughing At Me”. Teddy Pendergrass began his music career as a drummer for The Cadillac’s. Teddy Pendergrass was invited to become lead singer by Harold Melvin. In 1972 The Blue Notes had hits such as “I Miss You”, “Bad Luck,” “Wake Up Everybody” a two million seller “If You Don’t Know Me By Now”  and many more. There was a personal conflict between Harold and Teddy, so Teddy went solo. Teddy released four hit singles “The More I Get The More I Want,” “Close the Door,” “I Don’t Love You Anymore,” “Turn Off the Lights” and many others. Teddy’s first solo album was self titled Teddy Pendergrass in 1977, followed by Life is a Song Worth Singing in 1978, Live Coast to Coast and Teddy in 1979, TP in 1980, and the final It’s Time for Love in 1981. Teddy sang a duet with Whitney Houston on her self titled debut album the song “Hold Me”. Teddy was in a real bad car accident in March 1982, which left him paralyzed from the waist down, leaving him with partial use of his arms. Teddy appeared  in 1985 at the Live Aid concert in Philadelphia, performing “Reach Out and Touch Somebody’s Hand” in a wheelchair. This was Teddy’s first performance since his accident. Teddy toured with Stephanie Mills in the gospel musical production of Your Arms Too Short to Box with God in 1996. Teddy’s autobiography entitled Truly Blessed was released in1998. Teddy Pendergrass retired from the music industry in 2006. Teddy briefly returned to performing for Teddy25: A Celebration of Life, Hope & Possibilities  a 25th anniversary awards ceremony that marked his accident date and to raise money for his charity The Teddy Pendergrass Alliance.
Teddy went I the hospital and is recovering from rare illness related to his paralyses in August 2009. Teddy Pendergrass (Teddy Bear) is a love song writer that will be one of my all time favorites. My prayers go out to the Teddy Bear.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teddy_Pendergrass


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