Rhythm-and-blues singer, Teddy Pendergrass, has died in a hospital in Philadelphia at the age of 59 after "a difficult recovery" from colon cancer surgery, his son, Teddy Pendergrass II, told the Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper
Teddy Pendergrass was paralysed from the waist down in a 1982 car accident. In 2001, he went on his first tour since the accident.
He began his career as a drummer but first rose to fame in the 1970s as lead singer of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes such as "If You Don't Know Me by Now" and "I Miss You." before going solo in 1976. He enjoyed greater fame as a solo singer with hits that included "Love TKO", "Close The Door" and "Turn Off The Lights".
He was the first black male singer to have five consecutive multi-platinum albums in the USA.
"To all his fans who loved his music, thank you. He will live on through his music.", his son said
He is survived by his wife, son, two daughters, mother and nine grandchildren.
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