One of the group's notable singles was their original version of the Philly soul classic " Don't Leave Me This Way", which turned into a disco smash when Motown artist Thelma Houston released her version in 1976. The group rode to fame with several more releases over the years including " The Love I Lost", a song that predated the upcoming disco music scene, the ballad " Hope That We Can Be Together Soon", and socially conscious singles " Wake Up Everybody" and " Bad Luck". Pendergrass and LaBelle developed a close friendship that would last until Pendergrass's death. Like "I Miss You" before it, the song was originally intended for a different artist, fellow Philadelphian native Patti LaBelle and her group Labelle but the group could not record it due to scheduling conflicts. The group's follow-up single, " If You Don't Know Me by Now", brought the group to the mainstream with the song reaching the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, while also reaching number one on the soul no.
The song, one of Gamble and Huff's most creative productions, became a major rhythm and blues hit and put the Blue Notes on the map. The song also featured Blue Notes member Lloyd Parks singing falsetto in the background and spotlighted Harold Melvin adding in a rap near the end of the song as Pendergrass kept singing, feigning tears. Pendergrass sings much of the song in a raspy baritone voice that would become his trademark. Noting how Pendergrass sounded like Dells lead singer Marvin Junior, Kenny Gamble decided to build the song with Pendergrass, who was only 21 at the time of the recording. The song was originally written for The Dells, but the group passed on it. In 1972, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes released their first single, a slow, solemn ballad entitled "I Miss You". This all changed when they landed a recording deal with Philadelphia International Records in 1971, thus beginning Pendergrass's successful collaboration with label founders Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff.Įarly career Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes: 1970–1975 Before Pendergrass joined the group, the Blue Notes had struggled to find success. However, during a performance, Pendergrass began singing along, and Melvin, impressed by his vocals, made him the lead singer. In 1970, he was spotted by the Blue Notes' founder, Harold Melvin (1939–1997), who convinced Pendergrass to play drums in the group. Pendergrass played drums for several local Philadelphia bands, eventually becoming the drummer of The Cadillacs (not the famed Harlem-based group of the same name). The recording, however, was not a commercial success. He dropped out in the 11th grade to enter the music business, recording his first song "Angel with Muddy Feet". He attended Thomas Edison High School for Boys in North Philadelphia. Pendergrass also took up drums during this time and was a junior deacon of his church. He dreamed of being a pastor and got his wish when, at age 10, he was ordained a minister (according to author Robert Ewell Greene). Pendergrass grew up in the impoverished section of North Philadelphia and often sang at church.
Not long after, Jesse was stabbed to death on June 13, 1962, during an altercation with another man. She fulfilled that promise, and Teddy met his father when he was 11 years old. As he grew older, his mother promised him that she would find his father so that they could meet. When Pendergrass was very young, his father left the family. Ida suffered six miscarriages before successfully giving birth to Teddy. He was the only child of Jesse and Ida Geraldine (née Epps) Pendergrass. Teddy Pendergrass was born Theodore DeReese Pendergrass on March 26, 1950, in Kingstree, South Carolina. He died from respiratory failure in January 2010. Pendergrass continued his successful solo career until announcing his retirement in 2007. Pendergrass's career was suspended after a March 1982 car crash left him paralyzed from the waist down. After leaving the group in 1976, Pendergrass launched a successful solo career under the Philadelphia International label, releasing five consecutive platinum albums (a record at the time for an African-American R&B artist). Pendergrass spent most of his life in the Philadelphia area, and initially rose to musical fame as the lead singer of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. He was born in Kingstree, South Carolina. Theodore DeReese Pendergrass (Ma– January 13, 2010) was an American soul and R&B singer-songwriter.
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