Teddy Pendergrass

Teddy Pendergrass, a Philadelphia native, began his music career singing gospel in churches before moving on to drumming and joining local vocal groups in his teens. He gained recognition as the lead singer of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, collaborating with Gamble & Huff on hit singles like "If You Don't Know Me by Now" and "Wake Up Everybody." Pendergrass eventually left the group to pursue a solo career, releasing successful albums like "Teddy Pendergrass" and "Life Is a Song Worth Singing," earning Grammy nominations and various awards for his R&B performances.

In 1982, Pendergrass was paralyzed from the waist down in a car accident but made a comeback, releasing albums with Elektra/Asylum and Philadelphia International Records. Despite his physical challenges, he continued to produce music, with hits like "Love Language" and "Joy." Pendergrass's career spanned decades, with later albums released under different labels, including Surefire/Wind Up. He passed away in 2010, leaving behind a legacy of soulful music and a bestselling autobiography, "Truly Blessed."