R&B singer Teddy Pendergrass dies at 59
R&B legend Teddy Pendergrass died Wednesday evening, his former publicist said. He was 59.
Pendergrass, known for smash love ballads such as "Turn Off the Lights" and "Love TKO," died after a long illness, according to Lisa Barbaris, who described herself as a close friend and his last publicist.
He died at a hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he was born.
His family did not reveal details about his illness, but said it was related to complications from a 1982 car accident, Barbaris said.
"His beloved family surrounded him. The world has lost one of its greatest voices and performers," a statement from Barbaris said.
"His family is devastated. He has three children and, even though it was expected, it still hurts," she said.
The crooner, who many affectionately knew as just "Teddy," started in music with a group called the Cadillacs in the late 1960s and was still with the group when it merged with Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, according to his official Web site.
He started as a drummer, but soon began to sing lead after the group heard his powerful voice.
In 1972, Pendergrass's baritone could be heard on the classic Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes song "If You Don't Know Me by Now."
The song became a No. 1 hit across the country and led Pendergrass to many other hits and accolades.
After going solo, Pendergrass received several Grammy nominations, Billboard's 1977 Pop Album New Artist Award and an American Music Award for best R&B performer of 1978, Barbaris said.
In 1982, Pendergrass was involved in a car accident that left him paralyzed. But Pendergrass returned to the studio in 1984 in his wheelchair to record an album.
Before his death, Pendergrass was working on a musical documenting his life, called "I Am Who I Am."
This was real cool ass dude right here. You know he's straight hip hop when you meet this guy. Died at 42 years and i still dont understand why. I do but damn i really thought his diet was like fish and chicken the good stuff. When i heard this it seemed like another part of me and this music of today has no more chances. A great,master, pioneer of the m.c. of the voice that picks you up. I'll tell you one thing if you have a way about your self and you meet up with this guy. And you be some where he will remember you. Thats what happen to me. And I told Guru i dont give a damn about you m.c.'s where Premiere at. He was weak as hell to. Then he was cutting the decade album. So a couple of months later for got all about that. My boys and I had to go to DJ's on tidewater drive to get some wax for a party we had to do that night. 
We walked in geeked up straight to the stacks. Next thing i know guru walks up behind me and was like a remember me. Y'all know me i was like 'hell naw' wow. Before i could even get it it he was like. I know i know Premier is over here come on i'll introduce ya'll. Man you talking about a guy turning into a bitch all of us was like little bitches in that piece that night yo. Yeah we was late to that party that night. I got my autographs from both of them to. I still have it in a frame im gonna have to scan it when i get a chance. But the sound of his voice will live for ever. Big shout outs going out to my brother,my cousin,my friend,my favorite m.c.,my idol Keith Elam a.k.a. Guru from Gang Starr.
