Teddy Pendergrass

Theodore "Teddy" Pendergrass (March 26, 1950—January 13, 2010), an American R&B/soul singer and songwriter, was born in Philadelphia, Pa. Pendergrass is also known as Teddy P, TP, or Teddy Bear. He joined Harold Melvin And The Blue Notes in 1970 as a drummer and little by little he became the lead singer of the band. Following personality conflicts between Melvin and Pendergrass, Pendergrass launched his solo career and released the LP Teddy Pendergrass in 1977. On March 18, 1982, Pendergrass was involved in an automobile accident, he suffered a spinal cord injury leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. In 2006, Pendergrass announced his retirement from the music business. 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. The charity provides education and occupational opportunities to people with SCI.