Are You A Teddy Pendergrass Fan ??????

[Boo]

Recently, buzz started brewing that popular R&B crooner Teddy Pendergrass was on his deathbed

The Grammy Award-nominated singer-songwriter has been hospitalized at Philadelphia's Bryn Mawr Hospital and is admittedly enduring a health crisis. The 59-year-old singer has been there for about a month, and the nature of his illness is not publicly known.

He and his new wife, Joan, addressed the rumors and expressed gratitude to his loyal legion of fans.

"I wish to thank my fans for their prayers, concerns and love," Pendergrass disclosed in a statement. "While I have faced recent health challenges, I am in the care of my wonderful doctors, wife Joan and family."
teddy pendergrass

We ask at this time that you respect our privacy," the statement continued. "Do know that I'm looking forward to continuing my work at the Teddy Pendergrass Alliance to help people with spinal cord injuries."

Since becoming quadriplegic following a horrific 1982 car accident, the Kingstree, South Carolina native (real name: Theodore DeReese Pendergrass) has been actively involved in improving the lives of others suffering spinal cord injuries through the Spinal Cord Injury Association. The former Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes front man celebrated his successful music career in 2007 at "Teddy 25."

"This year, believe it or not, marks the 25th anniversary of a horrific automobile accident that drastically changed my life forever," the 'The More I Get, the More I Want' singer announced during the event. "Instead of being saddened by this milestone, I am deeply overwhelmed with a sense of gratitude to all the people who have helped me overcome the many fears and difficulties I would ultimately encounter as a disabled person."


Biography
Theodore "Teddy" DeReese Pendergrass, Sr. (born March 26, 1950)[1] is an American R&B/soul singer and songwriter. Pendergrass is also known as Teddy P, TP, or Teddy Bear
Teddy Pendergrass was born to Ida Geraldine Epps and the late Jesse Pendergrass (murdered in 1962), who left when Pendergrass was very young and was not a part of his life. He was a student at the old Thomas Edison High School for Boys in Philadelphia. However, he dropped out in the 11th grade to go into the music business. According to author Robert Ewell Greene, Teddy Pendergrass was ordained a minister as a youngster. Later he was to become a drummer for a band, and later lead singer. The church was his initiation for talent and eventual success.


Musical career
Pendergrass's career began when he was a drummer for The Cadillacs, which soon merged with Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. Melvin invited Pendergrass to become the lead singer after he jumped from the rear of a stage and started singing his heart out. Months later the group signed with Gamble & Huff on the then CBS subsidiary Philadelphia International Records in 1972. The Blue Notes had hits such as "I Miss You," "Bad Luck," "Wake Up Everybody," "The Two Million Seller," "If You Don't Know Me By Now" and many more.







Following personality conflicts between Melvin and Pendergrass, Pendergrass launched a solo career and released hit singles like "The More I Get the More I Want," "Close the Door," "I Don't Love You Anymore," "Turn Off the Lights" and others








His first solo album was self titled Teddy Pendergrass (1977), followed by Life is a Song Worth Singing (1978), Live Coast to Coast and Teddy (1979), 1980's TP and the final Philadelphia International Records album It's Time for Love (1981).[1] He also sang a duet with Whitney Houston on "Hold Me," from her self-titled debut album

Accident
On March 18, 1982, in the Germantown section of Philadelphia on Lincoln Drive, Pendergrass was involved in an automobile accident when the brakes failed on his Rolls-Royce and he hit a tree. Damage to his spinal cord left him paralyzed from the waist down with limited use of his arms. In 1985 he made a surprise appearance at the Live Aid concert in Philadelphia, performing an emotional rendition of Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand) in a wheelchair as he fought back tears. It was his first stage performance since his accident.

Reach Out And Touch (Live Aid)
Uploaded by eXsistenZ1968. -

Later career
In 1996, he starred alongside Stephanie Mills in the touring production of the gospel musical Your Arms Too Short to Box with God.[2]In 1998, Pendergrass released his autobiography entitled, Truly Blessed.[3]

In 2006, Pendergrass announced his retirement from the music business.[4] In 2007, he briefly returned to performing to participate in Teddy 25: A Celebration of Life, Hope & Possibilities, a 25th anniversary awards ceremony that marked Pendergrass' accident date, but also raised money for his charity, The Teddy Pendergrass Alliance, and honored those who helped Pendergrass since his accident

[Boo]

I know what you mean.When I heard about the accident I was heart broken,because of the rumors that were floating around and I said I wasn't gonna like him or his music ANYMORE.....but you can't help but love him. To this day I don't know if it was true or not ,and that dosen't matter ....I love me some Teddy P.

[KnightD12]

Teddy is one of my all time favorites.Nobody can sing a love song like TP. At the same time that strong voice of his could belt out an up tempo song with the best of them. The accident sure weakened his voice, but that`s to be expected. Thankfully we still have tons of his recordings when he was in his prime. I sure wish him the best in his current health crisis. Luv me some Teddy!
Footnote: Brakes failed? .......on a Rolls Royce? That`s not exactly the way I heard it back in da day. But then again, I wasn`t there. :)

[Boo]

Yiu are to sweet Big Papa....I will be praying for him also.

[Edie Antoinette]

The Teddy Bear! ♥