UPDATED: TEDDY PENDERGRASS FUNERAL
THE FACTS
Family, friends and hundreds of fans gathered Saturday for Teddy’s funeral at the Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church.
THE SPIN
Those mourning the loss of Teddy Pendergrass paid respects at the public viewing on Saturday at Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church, , Philadelphia, PA. (To see pictures of the funeral click here.)
Affectionately referred to as “Teddy P.” by fans, Pendergrass died last Wednesday after complications with colon cancer. Pendergrass gained prominence in the 1970s and ‘80s for his string of passionate ballads that were delivered in his trademark husky, smooth voice.
His music includes a number of hits from both his solo career and time spent in the group, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes.
These include solo titles such as “Love T.K.O.,” “Close the Door” and “I Don’t Love You Anymore,” along with Blue Note releases like “If You Don’t Know Me By Now,” “Wake Up Everybody,” and “I Miss You.”
The singer’s son, Teddy Pendergrass II, said his father died at a hospital in suburban Philadelphia.
Pendergrass, already paralyzed from the waist down following a 1982 car accident, underwent colon cancer surgery just eight months ago.
According to his son he had “difficult recovery.”
Pendergrass II added, “To all his fans who loved his music, thank you. He will live on through his music.”
I’m particularly sad about this. Whenever my iPod is on shuffle, Teddy P. is sure to come on and I’m just as quick to start belting out his songs like I have actual singing talent.
Some of my favorites include:
YOUR SPIN: What are some of your favorite Teddy Pendergrass songs?
Thoughts and prayers go out to Teddy Pendergrass’ family.
Images courtesy of google.com
god bless teddy. my prayers goes out to his family. he will be missed in the music industry. he has suffered enough dealing with pain so the Lord is taking care of him now. r.i.p teddy.
Nothing to say except peace be with the family and RIP to Teddy himself.
RIP Teddy, my prayers go out to his family, he had so many great songs, it was hard to see him in a wheelchair after his accident but he kept going, god bless you Teddy, you will be missed
The kind of music he song is rare. RIP Teddy P
correction: Sung is rare
MY CONDOLENCES TO PENDERGRASS FAMILY.
MY CONDOLENCES TO THE PENDERGRASS FAMILY. RIP WE WILL NEVER TURN OFF THE LIGHTS.
My God we have lost another GREAT ONE!!!! We all will miss his great talent. May his soul rest in peace.
God Bless you Teddy R.I.P. Love you Teddy I think I have every record he made solo and with Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes .bless the family
May God Bless Teddy P and his family. I grew up listening to his music its truly a sad day.
We lost a true musical giant and soul man in Teddy Pendergrass. Countless memories are tied to his music and some of my fondest ones. God bless you and your family. Not only was he a power vocalist, his messages were powerful as far as love of self and each other.
My sincere condolences to Teddy Pendergrass’s family. God saw he was getting tired of the pain and suffering he endeared since his accident. Although we love him dearly and his “Beautiful songs” God only takes the best! Teddy is standing and walking tall and he and his songs will live on in our hearts…..
Condolences to the family of this late great artist. God has taken him home. He’s gone, but wont be forgotten..
A TRUE PHILLY SOUL LEGEND!!! Philly won’t be the same without that iconic voice! WDAS is KILLIN it playing his Music right now! GO HEAD Teddy P.!!! My prayers are with his family and friends!
i just cant believe it. This was the first thing i heard this morning on 98.7. I listen to Teddy P.almost every day. R.I.P. Your family is in my prayers.
I’m sitting here, still stunned, my childhood memories, are linked with Teddy’s music, as an adult, when I hear his music it takes me back to a innocent time. My heart is broken, when I heard this morning he is gone. Something inside of me feels lost. God bless his family, and everyone, that is going thru this moment in our lifes. Tears fall.
He was one of the best. Love Teddy’s soulful voice, and he will live on through his music always, like Marvin Gaye, Barry White, and Levert. Missing you Teddy.
May all your troubles be over and eternally rest in Gods care…
My sincere condolences to Teddy Pendergrass’s family and friends. He was a great performer and he will be sadly missed. Rest in peace Teddy.
My prayers go to his family and his close friends. I’m only 30 years old so he was in his prime when I was born, but heard enough of his music to know that he could never be duplicated. My mother still can’t can’t beleive it, she remembers his concert in ”76” and it’s a moment she won’t forget.
Turn Off The Lights and Close The Door….can’t say more plainer than that! Love you Teddy!
I’ve always liked the old songs Close the door and Turn off the lights , esp. back in my teens. It really is unfortunate. Teddy Pendergrass’ death still explodes a bombshell. It’s not the same without him anymore .
I love all of Teddy Pendergrass’ songs.I am old school to the bone.I am very sad about his passing.
I remember hearing Teddy P’s Music while I was growing up in my Mother’s home. He was truly a great R&B Artists and he will be sadly missed by all. God Bless U Teddy… RIP.. from Ohio….
RIP Teddy P. Your music will always live on…
I feel like I have lost a best friend, my heart is really saddend with tears. For one the best R&B singers who helped me to understand what love truely means when your all alone with the ups and downs that life brings us every day. Teddy P. who I am really going to miss, but I know he earned his wings here on earth, so fly home to that golden place in the sky. I will always love his music, my heart goes out to his family. Harold D.
My prayers go out to family, all the very best are in Soul Heaven now. There will never be another as good.
Mary D.
(poodalton)
TEDDY P….YOU WILL BE MISSED….A BEAUTIFUL VOICE.
Saddening news. I’m grateful that he left behind a body of music that we can continue to enjoy.
My condolences to the Pendergrass family.
Turn off the lights was one of my favorites and the majority of his music was a good contribution. Teddy Pendergrass will be greatly missed by his family and fans.
My condolences to all his love ones and may he always live in our hearts.
My condolences to the Pendergrass family. Teddy has made some good love making music, that bought a lot of babies into this world. Not being disrespectful, but his music was about “Love” and it was beautiful.
R.I.P
He was one of the best. I grew up on his music. My condesolences go out to his family.
R.I.P.Mr.Pendergrass.
So much can be said about Teddy but all hearts are sadden as another one of the real good singers of day has left us.we will live on through all his music.If you every loved somebody Teddy made you love them.Rest now my brother,You’ve made it,you went your last mile,you have done your best.Sing in heaven with the rest.
MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GOES OUT TO THE PENDERGRASS FAMILY. MY HEART IS FILLED WITH SADNESS I FEEL THAT I HAVE LOST MY LOVE AND MY FRIEND EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE NET MET THERE WAS NOT A CONCERT IN DETROIT THAT I WASN’T IN ATTENDANCE OF. TEDDY PLEASE KNOW THAT I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU. AND YOUR MUSIC WILL BE CARRIED ON. MYSELF ALONG WITH MY BEST FRIENDS ARE HOLDIG A MEMORIAL WITH TEDDY’S MUSIC ON SATURDAY SO PLEASE IF YOU LOVED TEDDY LIKE WE DID INVITE SOME FRIENDS OVER AND DO THE SAME.
MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GOES OUT TO THE PENDERGRASS FAMILY. MY HEART IS FILLED WITH SADNESS I FEEL THAT I HAVE LOST MY LOVE AND MY FRIEND EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE NEVER MET THERE WAS NOT A CONCERT IN DETROIT THAT I WASN’T IN ATTENDANCE OF. TEDDY PLEASE KNOW THAT I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU. AND YOUR MUSIC WILL BE CARRIED ON. MYSELF ALONG WITH MY BEST FRIENDS ARE HOLDIG A MEMORIAL WITH TEDDY’S MUSIC ON SATURDAY SO PLEASE IF YOU LOVED TEDDY LIKE WE DID INVITE SOME FRIENDS OVER AND DO THE SAME.
Teddy P. and I had the same birthday. Even though it was likely we would never meet, I wished him BDay blessings every year. My thoughts are with the Family.
rest in peace tp
Ok Unsung, your next rotation should begin with Teddy P…. You also need to do more than you do a Season… On the real….
My Prayers goes out to the Pendergrass. He was a great great man in person and in his music. I love all his songs and I still listen to them all til this day. May God keep this family together in this difficult time. Love you all. Peace
It’s hard to pick just one. He had so many hits that will stand the test of time! Rest in peace Mr. pendergrass!
My condolences goes out to Teddy Pendergrass’ family. I just would like to say that Teddy has alot of great songs snd I really wished that I could of seen him in concert back then. It is sad to hear that all great people leave us so soon especially this legend and he will never be forgotten.
My prayers goes out to Teddy Pendergrass’ family. I reallu love his singing, especially come over to my house. I didn’t get a chance to see him in personal but I heard all of his songs. I pray that God keep on bless you all. He will never be forgotten and will alway live in my heart.
Im so sorry to hear about the death of the legendary Teddy Pendergrass.I so badly wanted him to have a full recovery from his 1982 accident,and get back on his feet.I love all of his stuff,by himself and with harold melvin and the blue notes.He made a indelible mark on the music scene,R.I.P.All the best to his family.
tp simply was the man in the late 1970′s to early 1980′s. he will be missed.
We will continue to move to and be moved by the music of Teddy Pendergrass, Barry White, Gerald LeVert, Luther Vandross, and Michael Jackson. Not one of the EVER wrote or sang a lyric that degraded our women. Look and Learn newcomers!!!!! This is what determines if you are a studio controlled and created artist, or if you have natural talent. We don’t even get into the Christmas mood until we hear Donny Hathway’s “This Christmas” or Nat King Cole’s “Chestnuts”. To GOD and The Pendergrass Family, Thanks for Teddy.
I PRAY YOUR SOUL MAKES IT TO THE PEACEFUL PLACE TEDDY. RIP