TEDDY PENDERGRASS- singer and songwriter of many soul and R&B classics - died on 13 January, 2010, at the age of 59.
Following a car crash in 1982, which left him in a wheelchair, he founded the Teddy Pendergrass Alliance to help those with spinal cord injuries to achieve their full potential.
Born Theodore DeReese Pendergrass he was always known by the nickname Teddy
He left school early intent on a career in the music business and was a drummer with the band the Cadillacs which merged with Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes.
Melvin invited Teddy to become the lead singer after being impressed with his vocal talent and passion for music.
With the Blue Notes he enjoyed many hits including I Miss You, Wake Up Everybody, and the two million seller If You Don't Know Me By Now.Embarking on a solo career he enjoyed a string of hit singles and albums throughout the 1970s, including The Whole Town's Laughing At Me, Close the Door, Love T.K.O and Turn Off The Lights.
Tragically, in 1982 a car crash left him paralysed from the waist down.
He had been at the height of his musical success, and though after recovering he continued to sing, his voice never had quite the same power.
He performed on July 13, 1985, at the historic Live Aid concert in Philadelphia, then continued to record throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
In 2006, Teddy announced his retirement from the music business.
In 2007, he briefly returned to performing to take part in Teddy 25: A Celebration of Life, Hope & Possibilities, an awards ceremony that marked the 25th anniversary of his accident, raised money for his charity, The Teddy Pendergrass Alliance, and honoured those who had helped him in the years after the crash.
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