Teddy Pendergrass Signature Voice Pt 2

This is the  third multi-platinum album for Pendergrass

During this period, Teddy was innovative, creative and took calculated risk. He trod the path that others were afraid to adventure, with the support of “Alive Entertainment Management” (Jewish own artist management company based in Los Angeles, under the leadership of Shep Gordon). Then, Teddy was the only known Black Artist to successfully promote and hold female only concert. At the same time when Teddy was signed Gamble and Huff’s Philadelphia International Records Label, he was involved in the development a brand of “Teddy Bear” jeans for women only customers, which was sold in several shops across America and on his concert tour in America. Teddy formed is own company, Teddy Bear Productions, Inc, of which he was chairman and president. Teddy was a great visionary and forerunner of corporate branding, long before such artist as Jay Z and his wife Beyoncé had developed their own brands. Especially what we are witnessing today in the 21^st Century with Hip Hop recording artist and their impact on popular culture in North America and across the globe.

The fourth multi-platinum album that contains
the classic hit single "Love TKO"

 On the strength of his previous studio albums and the height of this popularity, Teddy entered 1980s with a bang, achieving more multi platinum selling albums, in fact two multi platinum albums in succession in the same year in 1980, beginning with the album entitled "TP", which features the classic quite storm hit single "Love TKO". This was followed by Teddy Pendergrass first live album entitled "Teddy Live Coast to Coast", which became another multi-platinum best-selling album.  In 1981 PIR released Pendergrass finally multi-platinum solo album for the label. The album was titled "It Time For Love" before his contract expired with label due to automobile accident.

Pendergrass final multi-platinum
solo album with PIR

 On the 18th March 1982,  Pendergrass was involved in an automobile accident when he actually  lost control of his Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit  hit a guard rail, crossed into the opposite traffic lane, and hit two trees. Pendergrass suffered a spinal cord injury. Due to the tremendous impact of the automobile accident Pendergrass became a quadriplegic, paralyzed from the chest down.

                                                     

During Teddy Pendergrass post-automobile accident period, he finally returned to the top of the single chart in 1988, almost ten after his first number-one single "Close The Door " The second single to reached the top of summit on the Billboard Hip/Hop and R&B Singles Chart listings was called “Joy” on week-ending 25^th June 1988 (2 weeks). The album also entitled "Joy" peaked at number-two on the Billboard Hip/Hop and R&B Albums Chart that same year. It was Teddy Pendergrass first solo album since his terrible automobile to be certified platinum for over one million units sold in America.

The final single of his career so far to obtain the number one position on the Billboard Hip/Hop and R&B Singles Chart was “It Should’ve Been You” on 18^th May 1991. The biggest selling single of his career since “Close The Door”. It was number one for two weeks due to sales level, ranking number one on radio and retail points. The single was co- written and produced by Teddy Pendergrass with Terry Price. By 1991, according to RIAA (Record Industry Association of America) Pendergrass had earned 4 gold albums and 8 platinum albums with little help from Pop radio stations across America. Also his four studio albums on Elektra Entertainment since his auto accident have sold over 2.5 million copies without the support of concert tours.

                    

This was Pendergrass first platinum
album since his auto accident.

 

A quote from a tribute from Gamble and Huff stated that the late Teddy Pendergrass's songs have been sampled by numerous soul and R&B artists, and have been used in a number of TV commercials and films around the world, including the "Nutty Professor, Old Navy and Chevrolet.

Teddy later became an inspirational figure to millions in the 28 years since he was left quadriplegic from a horrific 1982 car accident . He established the charitable Teddy Pendergrass Alliance (TPA) in 1987, and in 2007, formed a partnership with the National Spinal Cord Injury Association to help people with injuries during the early stages of recovery, which led to his recognition that year as one of the most influential SCI activists with his induction into the Spinal Cord Injury Association Hall of Fame.

Teddy is certainly the reigning prince of the Philadelphia Sound, a powerful voice that stands out as a dynamic brand around the world that will earn multi streams of income for the Gamble and Huff organisation for many years to come.

“Teddy was truly blessed with an incredible talent that was one of kind.”

                                                Researched and compiled by               
                                                Mr K Tomlin Music Historian                   
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