Who Is Teddy Pendergrass? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Teddy Pendergrass was born on March 26, 1950, and he continues to be celebrated as one of the greatest voices in soul and R&B music. With a career that spanned decades, Pendergrass became known for his smooth voice and passionate performances. He first rose to fame as the lead singer of Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, before embarking on a successful solo career. Teddy Pendergrass passed away on January 13, 2010, leaving behind a rich legacy that continues to inspire artists today.
| Occupation | Blues Singer |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | March 26, 1950 |
| Age | 59 Years |
| Birth Place | Philadelphia, PA, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Aries |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 13 January, 2010 |
| Died Place | N/A |
Popularity
Teddy Pendergrass's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Although Teddy Pendergrass is no longer with us, he was known for his commanding presence and distinctive style.
- Height: 6 feet (183 cm)
- Weight: Approximately 180 lbs (82 kg)
- Measurements: Teddy was known for his athletic build, fitting for a performer with his energetic stage presence.
Theodore DeReese Pendergrass (March 26, 1950 – January 13, 2010) was an American soul and R&B singer and songwriter. Pendergrass lived most of his life in the Philadelphia area, and initially rose to musical fame as the lead singer of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes.
After leaving the group in 1976, Pendergrass launched a successful solo career under the Philadelphia International label, releasing five consecutive platinum albums (a record at the time for an African-American R&B artist). In March 1982, a car crash left Pendergrass paralyzed from the chest down.
Pendergrass continued his successful solo career until announcing his retirement in 2007. He died from respiratory failure in January 2010.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Throughout his life, Teddy Pendergrass had several significant relationships. He was married twice. His first marriage to Karen Still resulted in one son, and his second marriage to Joan Pendergrass lasted until his passing. While there were rumors about his relationships, he kept much of his personal life private, focusing on his music and family.
He was the only child of Jesse and Ida Geraldine (née Epps) Pendergrass. Ida suffered six miscarriages before successfully giving birth to Teddy. When Pendergrass was very young, his father left the family. As he grew older, his mother promised him that she would find his father so that they could meet.
She fulfilled that promise, and Teddy met his father when he was 11 years old. Not long after, Jesse was stabbed to death on June 13, 1962, during an altercation with another man. He was 47 years of age. Pendergrass grew up in the impoverished section of North Philadelphia and often sang at church.
He dreamed of being a pastor and got his wish when, at the age of 10, he was ordained a minister (according to author Robert Ewell Greene). Pendergrass also took up drums during this time and was a junior deacon of his church.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his death in 2010, Teddy Pendergrass had an estimated net worth of around $10 million. Throughout his career, he earned significant revenue from album sales, live performances, and royalties from his extensive catalog of music. In 2025, his estate continues to earn from his timeless hits, ensuring his musical legacy remains profitable.
Career, Business, and Investments
Teddy Pendergrass began his career in the late 1960s with Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, with hits like "If You Don't Know Me by Now." His solo career took off in the late 1970s with albums like “Teddy Pendergrass” and “Live! Coast to Coast.” Pendergrass also ventured into business, launching a successful line of merchandise and collaborating with various artists. After his tragic accident in 1982, which left him paralyzed, he made a remarkable comeback, continuing to inspire many with his resilience and talent.
He attended Thomas Edison High School for Boys in North Philadelphia. He sang with the Edison Mastersingers. He dropped out in the 11th grade to enter the music business, recording his first song "Angel with Muddy Feet". The recording, however, was not a commercial success.
Pendergrass played drums for several local Philadelphia bands, eventually becoming the drummer of The Cadillacs (not the famed Harlem-based group of the same name). In 1970, he was spotted by the Blue Notes' founder, Harold Melvin (1939–1997), who convinced Pendergrass to play drums in the group.
However, during a performance, Pendergrass began singing along, and Melvin, impressed by his vocals, made him the lead singer. Before Pendergrass joined the group, the Blue Notes had struggled to find success.
This all changed when they landed a recording deal with Philadelphia International Records in 1971, thus beginning Pendergrass's successful collaboration with label founders Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff.
Social Network
While social media was not prevalent during Teddy Pendergrass's active years, his music has found a renewed audience in the digital age. Fans can connect and share their love for his work on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, where his family and estate sometimes share memories and insights about his life and artistry. The conversation around his legacy is very much alive, with numerous fan pages dedicated to celebrating his contributions to music.
In 1972, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes released their first single, the slow, solemn ballad, "I Miss You". The song was originally written for the Dells, but the group passed on it.
Noting how Pendergrass sounded like Dells lead singer Marvin Junior, Kenny Gamble decided to build the song with Pendergrass, who was only 21 at the time of the recording. Pendergrass sings much of the song in a raspy baritone voice that would become his trademark.
The song also featured Blue Notes member Lloyd Parks singing falsetto in the background and spotlighted Harold Melvin adding in a rap near the end of the song as Pendergrass kept singing, feigning tears. The song, one of Gamble and Huff's most creative productions, became a major rhythm and blues hit and put the Blue Notes on the map.
The group's follow-up single, "If You Don't Know Me by Now", brought the group to the mainstream with the song reaching the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, while also reaching number one on the soul singles chart.
Like "I Miss You" before it, the song was originally intended for a different artist, fellow Philadelphian native Patti LaBelle and her group Labelle but the group could not record it due to scheduling conflicts. Pendergrass and LaBelle developed a close friendship that would last until Pendergrass's death.
Education
Teddy Pendergrass attended the Thomas Edison High School in Philadelphia, where he began to hone his musical talents. Though he did not pursue formal music education, his innate musicality and passion for singing set him on the path to becoming one of the most beloved R&B artists of all time. His early exposure to music in church significantly influenced his career trajectory, as he mastered his vocal abilities and stage presence.
The group rode to fame with several more releases over the years including "The Love I Lost", a song that predated the upcoming disco music scene, the ballad "Hope That We Can Be Together Soon", and socially conscious singles "Wake Up Everybody" and "Bad Luck".
One of the group's notable singles was their original version of the Philly soul classic "Don't Leave Me This Way", which turned into a disco smash when Motown artist Thelma Houston released her version in 1976. By 1975, Pendergrass and Harold Melvin were at odds, mainly over financial issues and personality conflicts.
Despite the fact that Pendergrass sang most of the group's songs, Melvin was controlling the group's finances. At one point, Pendergrass wanted the group to be renamed "Teddy Pendergrass and the Blue Notes" because fans kept mistaking him for Melvin. Pendergrass left the group in 1975, and the Blue Notes struggled with his replacements.
They eventually left Philadelphia International and toiled in relative obscurity, until Melvin's death in 1997. As of 2014, a version of the group still tours the old school circuit, performing as Harold Melvin's Blue Notes.
