Photo: Michael Ochs Archive/Getty

The legendary R&B singer Teddy Pendergrass passed away on January 13, 2010 after battling colon cancer. Teddy was 59.

He died at Bryn Mawr Hospital, which is located just outside of Philadelphia.

Teddy’s tremendous career included numerous platinum albums, and three decades of top hits such as, “Close the Door”, ”Joy” and “It Should’ve Been You”.

A five-time grammy nominated singer, Teddy didn’t let becoming a quadriplegic in a 1982 car accident stop his love for singing and pleasing his many fans.

Teddy’s career began when he sang the popular, “If You Don’t Know Me By Now”, as lead Singer for the Philadelphia soul group Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes.

This role lead him into his own solo career. In 1977, Teddy released his self-titled first album. Seven more albums followed on the Gamble & Huff’s Philadelphia International Records label. He then moved on to record with Warner Music’s Asylum and Elektra label.

Here’s Teddy on an episode of ‘that show’ in 1980 with his hit, “Love T.K.O.“

Rest in Peace “Teddy Bear”.

Here’s a great interview of Teddy Pendergrass in 2007 by Art Fennel of cn8.tv.

Teddy discusses a few things from the last 25 years since he was paralyzed.  Teddy says, “Life is life…  Things happen.  But when you can come out of those things, and you can experience the better things, it kinda makes the bad things better, because you don’t focus on the bad things.  I have too many good things to focus on.”

Teddy focuses on what people with spinal cord injury can do with their lives.  Quality of life is most important.  Figuring out a way to deal with paralysis.

He was asked if he’d get back in the studio, but said he’s passionate about working on his current projects for now.

This live performance of Teddy Pendergrass was in 1979. Here he sings,”If You Know Like I Know”.

Teddy talks about growing up near the Apollo Theater and sings “Close the Door” at the Apollo Hall of Fame concert in 1993.

Here’s a Teddy Pendergrass video from 1984,” In My Time”, from the “Love Language” LP. What a great song and touching video. This was two years after Teddy became paralyzed.

Teddy “Teddy Bear” Pendergrass began his music career as a drummer for The Cadillacs in the early 70′s. His discography spans four decades.

• 1977 – Teddy Pendergrass – The Right Stuff
• 1978 – Life Is a Song Worth Singing – The Right Stuff
• 1979 – Teddy – The Right Stuff
• 1979 – Live! Coast to Coast – Philadelphia International
• 1980 – TP – The Right Stuff
• 1981 – It’s Time for Love – Philadelphia International
• 1984 – Love Language – Asylum
• 1985 – Workin’ It Back – Asylum
• 1988 – Joy – Elektra
• 1991 – Truly Blessed – Elektra
• 1993 – A Little More Magic – Elektra
• 1997 – You and I – Surefire
• 1998 – This Christmas I’d Rather Have Love – Surefire/Wind Up
• 2002 – From Teddy With Love (live) – Razor & Tie source

Teddypendergrass.net is a Fan Site devoted to the music, albums, lyrics, and career of Teddy Pendergrass, singer and musician.