Title
Also naming South Broad Street between Pine and Lombard Streets as "Teddy Pendergrass Way" to honor the life and legacy of South Philadelphia legendary entertainer Teddy Pendergrass.
Body
WHEREAS, Teddy Pendergrass was born Theodore DeReese Pendergrass March 26th, 1950, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, Raised in Philadelphia at a young age Teddy began singing gospel and playing drums in church. At age 10, he became an ordained minister, and as a teen Pendergrass played drums for the vocal group The Cadillacs; and
WHEREAS, Teddy's rhythmic skills earned him a spot in The Blue Notes, led by Harold Melvin. In 1970, Pendergrass stepped out from behind the drumkit and became the lead singer. In 1972, the newly revamped Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes signed with Philadelphia International Records (PIR) and scored their first Top 10 R&B hit with "I Miss You". The group is best known for 1972's "If You Don't Know Me By Now" which topped the US R&B chart and peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. With Pendergrass as the lead, The Blue Notes also topped the R&B charts with "The Love I Lost" (1973) and "Wake Up Everybody" (1975); and
WHEREAS, In 1975, Pendergrass left the group and established a solo career releasing his self-titled solo debut, a Top 10 R&B hit that achieved platinum sales. He received his first Grammy nomination (for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male) for his 1978 single "Close The Door." Pendergrass made history for being the first black singer to have five consecutive platinum albums. Notable singles include "Turn off The Light's," and "Love TKO" his streak ran from 1977's Teddy Pendergrass to 1981's It's Time for Love; and
WHEREAS, A 1982 car accident in Philadelphia left Pendergrass paralyzed from the chest down and confined to a wheelchair. The singer completed physical therapy and, against all odds, returned in 1984 with Love Language, featuring "Hold Me," a duet with Whitney Houston. To date that album has sold over 2 milli...
Click here for full text