Teddy Pendergrass died Wednesday at age 59

Teddy Pendergrass died Wednesday at age 59. Teddy Pendergrass II said his father died at a hospital in suburban Philadelphia. The singer had colon cancer surgery 8 months ago and had “a difficult recovery,” his son said.

Pendergrass suffered a medulla spinalis injury and was paralyzed from the waist down in the 1982 car accident. He spent 6 months in a hospital but returned to recording the next year with the album “Love Language.”

Teddy Pendergrass returned to the stage at the Live Aid concert in 1985, performing from his wheelchair. Pendergrass, who was born in Philadelphia on March 26, 1950, gained popularity first as a member of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes.

In 1971, the group signed a record deal with Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. The group released it first single, “I Miss You,” in 1972 and then released “If You Don’t Know Me by Now,” which was nominated for a Grammy Award.

Pendergrass quit the group in 1975 and started a solo career in 1976. It was his solo hits that brought him his greatest fame. With songs such as “Love T.K.O.,” “Close the Door” and “I Don’t Love You Anymore,” he came to define a new era of black male singers with his powerful, aggressive vocals that spoke to virility, not vulnerability.

“Turn Off the Lights” was a tune that possibly best represented the many moods of Pendergrass – tender and coaxing yet strong as the song reached its climax.

Following the car accident, it was nineteen years before Pendergrass resumed performing concerts. He made his return on Memorial Day weekend in 2001, with two sold-out shows in Atlantic City, N.J.

Teddy Pendergrass is survived by his son, two daughters, his wife, his mother and nine grandchildren.