Remembering Teddy Pendergrass
Follow the career of the soul music icon.
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A Star is Born - Theodore DeReese "Teddy" Pendergrass, Sr. was born March 26, 1950 in Philadelphia, PA. He'd also become affectionately known as Teddy P, TP or Teddy Bear throughout the course of his career. (Photo: Michael Putland/Getty Images)
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Take the Lead - Teddy P got his start as a drummer for The Cadillacs, a soul group that eventually joined forces with Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. Legend has it that Melvin asked him to sing lead after he dropped his drum set and began singing during a concert. The rest is music history. (Photo: Courtesy Jolie Records)
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Top of the World - With TP on lead vocals, the Blue Notes released six albums between 1972 to 1976, including hit singles like "Wake Up Everybody" and "If You Don't Know Me By Now," which reached no.3 on the Billboard 200 and sold 2 million copies. (Photo: Sherry Rayn Barnett /Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
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The End of an Era - Following the release of the Blue Notes' "Wake Up Everybody," a conflict between Melvin and Teddy P led the Philly singer to leave the group. (Photo: Retna UK /Landov)
Photo By Photo: Retna UK/Landov
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Mr. Solo Dolo - TP embarked on a highly successful solo music career with the release of his self-titled debut in 1977. It reached No. 5 on the R&B charts and No. 17 on the pop charts. (Photo: Dalle /Landov)
Photo By Photo: Dalle /Landov
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