There are many male voices of soul music. Sam Cooke. Marvin Gaye. Otis Redding. Donny Hathaway. Al Green. All legends in their own right. Many earning and being honored for their brilliant efforts. Teddy Pendergrass usually falls under the radar. Many true soul music fans know of his raw, powerhouse vocals and sexy ballads of love, longing, and romance but in my opinion, he has failed to receive the recognition he so deeply deserves.
As frontman of the 70's soul band Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes, Teddy took soul to new heights with classics like "I Miss You" and "If You Don't Know Me By Now." The earth-moving vocal power made him so dynamic and so loved in the R&B and soul community. As a solo artist, Teddy made an endless array of hits often still played on popular classic black radio stations. Grooves like "Turn off the Lights", "Close the Door" and "Love TKO" are staples in the black music world.
In the early 80's when Teddy was paralyzed in a car crash, his music career slowly began to fade away although he continued to release music for a period of time. True music lovers have never forgotten him. My parents are huge fans and I've been reminded that his music may be the reason for my existence (lol).
Hearing of Teddy's passing a few weeks ago after a battle with colon cancer left me deeply saddened. I know his glimmering legacy of gritty soul will live on through his music but who will carry on his legacy? As we lose our legends, we await signs from torch-bearers, revolutionaries, and innovators to continue in the tradition and add new dimension to it...but the last time I turned on the radio, there was nothing even close to Teddy's alchemic Philly soul stirring.
Teddy, we will miss you.
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