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Teddy Pendergrass
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Miami Vice Performer
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"Stay with Me" ("No Exit")
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Born
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March 26, 1950, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Died
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January 13, 2010, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania (age 59, respiratory failure)
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Active
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1970-2006
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Theodore DeReese Pendergrass (March 26, 1950 - January 13, 2010) was an American singer/songwriter whose song "Stay with Me" appeared in the episode "No Exit" of the show Miami Vice.
Career[]
Pendergrass was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1970 he began his music career as lead singer of the R&B group Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, who had two well-known hit singles; "If You Don't Know Me By Now" and "Don't Leave Me This Way", the latter became a disco anthem when covered by Thelma Houston. In 1977 Pendergrass left the Blue Notes for a solo career, during which he recorded 13 albums from 1977-1997, while he never reached the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, he had success on the R&B charts. Some of his songs include "Stay with Me", "Hold Me" (with Whitney Houston, just prior to her own career taking off), "I Don't Love You Anymore", "Close the Door", "Joy", and "Turn Out The Lights". He was nominated for Grammys five times in the Best Male R&B Vocal Category.
Car Accident[]
In 1982, Pendergrass was driving his Rolls Royce when its' brakes failed and the car hit a guardrail, crossed the center line and ran into two trees. While his companion in the car only had minor injuries, Pendergrass suffered a spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed from the waist down. Pendergrass later began his Teddy Pendergrass Alliance to aid people with similar injuries. Three years later he appeared at Live Aid, then recorded the NCAA Basketball Final Four theme "One Shining Moment". In 2006 Pendergrass retired from music.
Death[]
In 2009, Pendergrass underwent surgery for colon cancer, but had complications (possibly due to his paralysis) and died on January 13, 2010 from respiratory failure.